The College of Coastal Georgia's Radiologic Science program will celebrate National Radiologic Technology Week® with an open house for students and community members who want to learn more about the program. The open house will be held on Thursday, Nov. 7 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Miriam and Hugh Nunnally Nursing and Health Science building in room 132.

National Radiologic Technology Week, which takes place during the first week of November, shines a light on the important role medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals play in patient care and health care safety. Radiologic technologists play vital roles in helping patients receive proper care. Through ionizing radiation, they produce diagnostic images used for the diagnosis and treatment of disease and injury; identify pathologies; plan and administer treatment; and work with physicians to help restore patient health. The College's open house will give interested attendees a closer look at the work of soon-to-be radiologic technologists.

Radiologic Science is a long-standing degree program at the College. The program has been preparing students for a career in the medical imaging field for more than 50 years. In 1967, the Glynn-Brunswick Memorial Hospital—now Southeast Georgia Health System—started the Radiology Technology certificate program. The first class graduated in 1969. Soon after, the then-named Brunswick Junior College assumed responsibility of the certificate program from the hospital. It was led from 1973 to 2009 by Program Director Dianne Castor, who was an alumna of the certificate program. The program received initial national program accreditation by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology in 1967 and a year later the certificate was converted to an Associate of Science degree.

The College's program provides students an opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills required to become a member of the health care team. Students have access to state-of-the-art technology and learn critical imaging techniques. They also learn how to respond ethically to the needs of a patient with technical competence and compassion.

Program Director and Assistant Professor of Radiologic Science Eliot Lee said a degree in Radiologic Science serves as the foundation for continued education in other specialized imaging modalities.

"Many of our students decide to pursue careers in modalities such as computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, mammography, and more," Lee said. "Obtaining an Associate of Science in Radiologic Science degree at the College of Coastal Georgia can lead to students working in a field in less than two years. Students of the program have enjoyed a 100 percent job placement rate for the past five years!"

The open house is free and open to the public. Radiology students and faculty will give tours of their learning environment and will answer questions about the program and their experiences.