Teresa_Conner

02/18/25

The North Dakota State University College of Health and Human Sciences has received a grant from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust for the program “Expanding Rural Sonography Expertise in North Dakota.” The award will support the development of a Master of Health Science Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography at NDSU, which will become the third such graduate degree program in the nation, and will contribute to a highly skilled workforce of diagnostic medical sonographers who are ready to serve in rural and underserved communities across North Dakota.

This initiative will create educational opportunities for students, promote access to diagnostic services, and strengthen the state's healthcare system. It will allow the purchase of advanced diagnostic ultrasound equipment and other educational equipment such as Anatomage Tables for intensive anatomy instruction and supporting instructional equipment.

“This program will provide NDSU students with access to study a high demand health care field with significant employment opportunities,” said Teresa Conner, dean of the NDSU College of Health and Human Sciences. “Students will have access to state-of-the-art equipment and resources, faculty experts and a cutting-edge degree. NDSU will be on the forefront of medical sonography education offering a degree with limited availability nationally. North Dakota is home to excellent health systems with strong demand for medical sonographers. This provides an abundance of employment opportunities for graduates.”

Anatomage Tables are the only all-in-one device in the world that shows real segmented human anatomy and physiology in 1:1 life size. A large touchscreen allows users to easily interact with the anatomy. The data of real full-body sliced frozen cadavers offers the potential to analyze the digital reconstruction of both male and female anatomy. The table runs on Windows and can be used like any other Windows computer.

“This funding makes it possible for NDSU to develop and launch a high demand degree that addresses critical workforce needs in North Dakota,” Conner said. “Medical sonography is one of the 50 top jobs in North Dakota, with demand throughout the state including our rural communities. Support by the Helmsley Foundation will allow us to address this critical workforce need while also developing an advanced degree that confers the entry-level credential along with advanced training in this complex disciplinary practice.”

“These grants will help ensure that hospitals and health centers across North Dakota have the latest in state-of-the-art ultrasound equipment and training,” said Walter Panzirer, trustee of the Helmsley Charitable Trust, in a release. “Facilities need to stay current with rapidly advancing technology so they can continue to provide the very best healthcare close to home.”

NDSU director of development for the College of Health and Human Sciences Susie Carlson facilitated and developed the relationship for the grant proposal. With Carlson’s support, Conner prepared the proposal with the help of business manager Nonnie Tangen, operations manager Lori Witt and director of allied sciences Aleisha Lokken.

“We’re incredibly honored to receive this grant from the Helmsley Trust,” said Justin Swanson, NDSU Vice President for Development. “Philanthropy plays a critical role in providing our students the best possible training situations and learning outcomes. As we seek to create more opportunities to educate the future workforce of our state and region, grants like this initiative make our university more attractive to both students and faculty. We couldn’t be more excited to be chosen as a recipient by the Helmsley Charitable Trust.”

The idea for the program was developed in the summer of 2024 after NDSU had discussions with its clinical partners about the shortage of medical sonographers. NDSU’s program will educate a greater number of sonographers in the most efficient manner possible using contemporary and evolving approaches to sonography education.

The College of Health and Human Sciences will develop a Diagnostic Medical Sonography graduate program with an accelerated option, which is designed to prepare students for rural healthcare practice and enhance access to ultrasound technology across North Dakota.

Conner said the funding will allow NDSU to hire a consultant and visit another program to examine their curricular model. From there, the program and curriculum will be designed for NDSU and the components required for the program proposal to the university and the state board will be prepared.

An initial class of 15-20 per cohort is planned. “This increase in seats available in medical sonography will provide an additional pipeline for workforce demand. We plan to work with our partners to grow the program to meet demand,” Conner said. “This approach is critical to producing the workforce that our partners need in a more efficient manner. We would not be able to develop this program without the support of the Helmsley Foundation.”

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust is a global philanthropy that aims to help people live better lives every day and creating stronger, healthier futures for individuals and communities. The trust partners with people and organizations to invest in research and new ideas across six program areas, including rural healthcare.

“NDSU is poised to support the health and well-being of North Dakotans with this significant support from the Helmsley Foundation into cutting-edge technology,” said Colleen Fitzgerald, NDSU Vice President for Research and Creative Activity. “This is the land-grant mission at work.”