Verde Valley News – Amidst laughter, tears, and a powerful sense of family and professional pride, ten young women and one young man received their degrees and prepared to join the ranks of the local Healthcare community. Yavapai College’s Radiology Program graduated 11 new technologists in their Prescott Campus Pinning Ceremony Wednesday night.
“This ceremony is a Rite of Passage for our Radiology Students.” Yavapai College President Dr. Lisa Rhine said. “It acknowledges your hard work and marks a milestone on your academic journey. Congratulations, graduates, on your perseverance and dedication.”
Families and friends packed the Prescott Campus Community Room for a heartfelt ceremony transcribed in both English and Spanish. Spouses and parents beamed as speakers recalled the determination and work ethic of the eleven new radiologic technologists receiving their ceremonial pins in the late afternoon light.
“This day is the culmination of years of hard work, dedication and perseverance on your part.” Keynote speaker and Radiology Adjunct Instructor Monica Dzupinka told the graduates. “I hope you feel the same level of pride in yourselves that I do. I know how lucky this community is going to be to have you out there, taking care of our loved ones in their times of need.”
Radiologic technologists make up the third-largest group of healthcare professionals. Their primary responsibility is to create images of patients’ bodies using medical equipment. Yavapai College’s Radiologic Technology program is a rigorous, 22-month program that demands both academic excellence and personal stamina from its students. State licensing requires a minimum of 1,800 clinical hours from radiologic technologists, significantly more than other disciplines. Program graduates enjoy an impressive success rate, with a 94% first-time pass rate on their credentialing exams and a 100% job placement rate over the past five years.
The ceremony included testimonials from Radiology Director Tracy Rogers, who emceed the ceremony, and statements of gratitude from Community Healthcare Scholarship recipients Esmerelda Ruiz Alvidrez and Quinci Youngblood; and graduate Tianna Alvarado shared a moving account of how the Student Emergency Fund helped her keep her academic career on-track. After graduate Justin Layman received the JRCERT Certificate of Excellence for Academic Achievement, the class received their pins and took the Radiology Code of Ethics oath.
Dzupinka urged the graduates to take pride in their accomplishment, and channel their confidence into kindness and collaboration. “Hold your heads high as you move forward, but remember to gracefully turn around and give a hand to those coming up behind you. I’m so excited for the bright futures ahead of you all. Thank you for sharing this chapter of the journey, and congratulations.”
Yavapai College Radiologic Technology Graduates
Class of 2024
- Tianna Alvarado – Cottonwood
- Angel Anderson – Prescott Valley
- Angela Betancourt – Cottonwood
- Jessica Buxman – Dewey
- Justin Layman – Prescott
- Jasmine Mangum – Prescott Valley
- Sarah Ortiz – Humboldt
- Adriana Rogel – Prescott Valley
- Esmerelda Ruiz Alvidrez – Prescott
- Stephanie Whisenand – Camp Verde
- Quinci Youngblood – Prescott
