Capturing the future: Boise State’s radiologic sciences department becomes a school

Medical Imaging and Radiologic Sciences students help each other practice positioning an x-ray c-arm.

What started as a certificate in partnership with St. Luke's Hospital, now St. Luke's Health System, Boise State's radiologic sciences academic programs have come a long way.

This fall what was the Department of Radiologic Sciences is now the School of Medical Imaging and Radiologic Sciences. In addition, it's celebrating the 55th anniversary of its first graduates.

"Designation as a school amplifies our institutional visibility, supports strategic growth and opens doors to strengthen partnerships with the university, community and professional stakeholders," Leslie Kendrick, divisional dean and associate professor of the School of Medical Imaging and Radiologic Sciences said. "It provides a stronger platform to further our strategic objectives in academic excellence and research innovation."

"Becoming a school enhances the value of students' education by expanding access to resources and professional opportunities," Kendrick said. "It recognizes the faculty's excellence in teaching, research and service while creating new opportunities for growth and collaboration. This also reinforces our leadership and commitment to advancing knowledge and practice in the field."

Mirrored trajectories: Boise State and the medical imaging field

This academic unit has grown alongside the university and its field. The first certificate in radiologic technology was awarded in 1970 from St. Luke's Hospital and Boise State College. Within five years, Boise State was offering an associate degree in radiologic technology.

X-ray technology also rapidly progressed. New ways to capture images of the internal human body added new disciplines to the medical imaging field, including ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging or MRIs, and Computed Tomography. One of Boise State's smallest gems grew to train more technologists who operate these new imaging machines while taking quality images of patients that help diagnose their illnesses and injuries.

Medical Imaging and Radiologic Sciences student stands in front of an MRI. Photo by Sammy Swiss.

The school now boasts more than 1,400 living alumni since its inception in 1968. Graduates go on to have successful careers as radiologic technologists, physical assistants, hospital administrators and more. Some even return to Boise State as faculty - seven of the 11 faculty in the school are alumni of the programs.

Moving to a new frontier

In 2015, the school developed their first online program for credentialed imaging technologists with associate degrees to advance their careers by completing their bachelor's degree.

The online Bachelor of Science in Imaging Sciences program prepares students for leadership in the workplace and supports their pursuit of graduate, physician assistant or medical school admission.

School of Medical Imaging and Radiologic Sciences Divisional Dean Leslie Kendrick. Photo by Danya Lusk.

In 2023, the school's leadership got creative on how to rise above an age-old challenge for clinical programs - limited clinical spots in the nearby area. For decades, the number of students accepted into any of the Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences emphases was limited by the space in imaging departments within Treasure Valley hospitals, clinics and health systems. In order to be eligible for graduation and to take their credentialing exam, each student must complete a minimum of 350 hours, but some disciplines require more than 1,200 hours of supervised work in a clinical setting working alongside a credentialed technologist with actual patients.

The number of student applicants to the program far exceeded the number of students the programs could accept. In 2024, 168 students applied for the 40 open seats in the diagnostic radiology program, 94 students applied for the eight open seats in sonography and 50 students applied for the 10 open seats in MRI.

What if there were a way for students to complete clinicals in communities further away from campus? After all, there is a nation-wide shortage of imaging technologists.

The school created the online Bachelor of Science in Advanced Medical Imaging in 2023. While the on campus program students complete clinicals in the Treasure Valley, students across the country, including rural Idaho, can find clinical sites in their local communities with the support of the school's staff and faculty.

The school is helping break into new territory in medical imaging education. The Diagnostic Medical Sonography emphasis, including the online delivery, in the Advanced Medical Imaging program was the first online bachelor of science degree program to be accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs in 2024.

The school continues to grow and innovate. When the Advanced Medical Imaging program launched, the school added emphasis areas in interventional cardiology and interventional radiology. Now they're adding these emphasis areas to their on campus programming. They plan to launch programs in mammography and vascular ultrasound in 2026 and a new emphasis in echocardiography in 2027.

"I am so proud of the school's dedicated team of faculty and staff who continually look for solutions to challenges - all in an effort to expand educational opportunities that ultimately empower students to serve their communities and improve patient care," Kendrick said.

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