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Sonography Day gives students glimpse of future
Triton College students Erin Brauer (center) of New Lenox and Stanley Koh of Schaumburg talk to Andrea Riviere (left), a sales specialist with GE, as they check out a handheld ultrasound machine at the third annual Sonography Day at Triton College in Rive
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Updated: March 8, 2013 6:31AM
RIVER GROVE — You’ve probably heard of sonograms - those black-and-white images, taken with sound waves, that show prospective parents what their baby looks like.
But how does a prospective sonographer find out what their chosen field looks like?
That’s the point of Sonography Day at Triton College.
The event, held Saturday, Jan. 2, was intended to help students get a head start on what it’s like to be a sonographer and to learn about new technology and techniques. It also allowed those already in the field to keep up with the latest advances.
Presenters discussed the various applications of sonogrophy in the area of obstetrics and gynecology. A diagnostic medical sonographer provides patient services using diagnostic ultrasound equipment under the supervision of a physician.
Christina Preto, 27, is in her second semester in the school’s sonographer program. She volunteered to work during the daylong event to get more insight into the field she is pursuing.
“The speakers talk about what’s new and what’s up and coming,” she said. “It gives us (students) something to look forward to when we graduate.”
She said she will be starting her clinicals this summer and hopes attending the event will give her an edge.
Marianna Desmond, clinical coordinator for Triton’s Diagnostic Medical Sonographer program, said the students in the program are encouraged to attend events like these. She said it provides an inside look at the profession and how fast it changes.
Sonographers who attended the event will receive continuing education points, getting eight if they stayed the entire day. “They can’t continue on in this field without doing something like this,” she said.
Sonographers and students alike also saw some of the latest sonography equipment available.
“Ultrasound has changed that much,” she said. “You have to stay abreast about what is going on in order to stay up to date about what is going on in our field.”
Many in attendance are from area hospitals and medical centers and Desmond said the event often serves as a way to reconnect with colleagues.
“It’s great networking,” she said. “It’s a small world. It becomes a bit of a social gathering as well.”
Stanley Koh, 34, who is in his last semester before getting his associates degree in diagnostic medical sonography, volunteered to help as well as do some networking.
“It’s kind of good to get your name out there and say ‘Look, I’ll be graduating soon,’” Koh said.
“This is actually the second year I’ve done it,” he added. “The first year was really nice. Almost 200 people came, which was really cool. To see all of the new machines and new technology, that was really cool.”
Although he lives outside Triton’s boundaries, he was willing to pay more to enroll in the school’s sonography program.
“Harper (College) has a program, but after doing my research Triton has had the program the longest and is actually well-respected,” he said. “I just figured if I wanted to be the best I might as well go to the best program.”
