|
Date 3-6-06
Contact Chinika Hood 601.266.5568
Hattiesburg
– All of the University of Southern Mississippi’s 2005
medical technology graduates have passed each of the program’s national
certification exams on their first attempt.
To begin practice,
students are required to take either the American Society for Clinical
Pathology Board of Registry (ASCP) or the National Certifying Agency
Exam.
“We have some
highly motivated students who really care about becoming the best
in order to serve their future patients,” said Jane Hudson, director
of Southern Miss’ medical technology department.
Some of those
determined individuals include Elizabeth Herrington, who raised
the bar on the ASCP when she scored the highest in the nation. Another
is Mary Jia Guo, who landed an international research grant in January
on her first attempt. Also, two recent graduates served as president
of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science’s national
student organization.
But behind every
great student there is a great instructor, Hudson said. “The faculty
knows what it takes to be a competent medical technologist, and
we strive to provide the students with the tools that will enable
the graduates to provide quality health care for their patients,”
she said.
Wileen Cooksey
of Lake graduated in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in medical technology.
Upon her departure, she spent a year at a Meridian hospital lab
where she worked in various departments, including chemistry, coagulation,
urinalysis, blood bank, microbiology and hematology.
“When I graduated
Southern Miss, I was fully equipped to work at any hospital anywhere,”
said Cooksey. “I had the knowledge that made me feel confident in
my work.”
Cooksey recently
changed gears in her career path to become an aircraft maintenance
officer with the Mississippi Air National Guard. While she is no
longer a medical technician, she said her instructors instilled
in her the belief that she could excel in any field.
“The reason I feel I have been successful thus far, at the hospital
or in my new job, is because of the discipline, determination and
hard work hammered home by the faculty of Southern Miss’ medical
technology department and my parents,” she said.
Hudson also
credits clinical affiliates Forrest General Hospital, Memorial Hospital
at Gulfport and Singing River Hospital in Pascagoula for her students’
success. Aspiring technologists at Southern Miss must spend 24 weeks
studying with a clinical affiliate.
Cooksey said the top-rate experience she gained in and outside of
class was invaluable, and she admits the payoff for her hard work
wasn’t so bad either. “You'll learn a lot, and you'll definitely
have a job as soon as you graduate,” she said.
Cooksey’s comments sound like sweet music to Michelle Branson’s
ears. The first-year student finds it reassuring to know that as
a Southern Miss medical technology graduate, a bright future awaits
her. “This program is a very rigorous one,” said the Ocean Springs
native. “It requires a lot of commitment and dedication, but like
so many other students in this department, I am always up for a
challenge.”
For more information
about Southern Miss’ medical technology program, please call Jane
Hudson at 601.266.4908.
Last updated:
03/06/06 |
