Mississippi Delta Community College (MDCC) held its Health Science Pinning and Graduation Ceremony Thursday, May 9, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. in the J. T. Hall Coliseum on the Moorhead Campus. The ceremony included graduates from the Associate Degree Nursing Program, the Dental Hygiene Program, the Medical Laboratory Technology Program and the Radiologic Technology Program.
The processional was performed by Beverly Terrell and Dr. Edward Rice II provided the invocation with opening remarks by MDCC President Dr. Larry Nabors.
In total, seventy-six students graduated from one of four health science programs. Each program, including Associate Degree Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Medical Laboratory Technology and Radiologic Technology, prepares students for an exciting healthcare career. Graduates of these programs are awarded an Associate of Applied Science Degree from Mississippi Delta Community College.
Forty-three individuals completed the Associate Degree Nursing Program. The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Program is designed to provide educational opportunities to qualified students for a rewarding career that will help meet the expanding health care needs of the community. The program prepares the individual to practice as a Registered Nurse, according to the State of Mississippi Law. Graduates receive an Associate of Applied Science Degree and are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX-RN®) for licensure as registered nurses.
Nine individuals completed the Dental Hygiene Technology Program. The Dental Hygiene Program provides students with a general education and a comprehensive clinical dental hygiene experience that prepares them for a career in the dental hygiene profession. The program includes clinical experience in treating patients throughout the lifespan with normal oral care and general systemic conditions. All phases of dental hygiene education are covered and practiced by clinical experience.
Eight individuals completed the Medical Laboratory Technology Program. In the laboratory, a highly skilled team of pathologists and medical technologists, medical laboratory technicians (MLT) and specialists work together to solve the mysteries, put the puzzles together, and answer the critical questions of medicine. Seventy to eighty percent of medical decisions made by physicians are based on laboratory findings. In fact, the practice of modern medicine would be impossible without the tests performed in the laboratory. Every day, new advances in genetic testing, biomarkers, and PCR (polymerase chain reaction) technology are creating more challenges and job opportunities for clinical laboratory science professionals. It is a fast-growing field, and there will be great demand for clinical laboratory professionals in the future. Clinical laboratory professionals are the researchers, the investigators, and some say the real heroes of medicine.
Sixteen completed the Radiologic Technology Program. The Radiologic Technology Program provides a general education and clinical training program that prepares students for a career in radiography. The technical program combines theory through traditional classroom instruction and laboratory experience on campus, and clinical experiences in affiliating hospitals to provide opportunities for students to develop skills needed to enter the Radiology profession. The Radiologic Technology Program commences in August of each year and runs for 22 consecutive months with a projected graduation date in May.
For more information about MDCC’s Health Science Programs, visit the website at www.msdelta.edu. Students interested in enrolling in a health care program should register for orientation by visiting apply.msdelt.edu. Orientation will be held in the J. T. Hall Coliseum on the Moorhead Campus of Mississippi Delta Community College.
