UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AND ESSEX COUNTY COLLEGE SIGN CLINICAL PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT TO TRAIN NEXT GENERATION OF RADIOLOGY PROFESSIONALS

Partnership will pave the way for improving timely access to life-saving imaging in Newark, strengthen health care career pipeline in Newark and Essex County

NEWARK, NJ: University Hospital and Essex County College leaders today celebrated the radiology training pipeline they have built and signed a clinical partnership agreement, affirming their shared commitment to increasing access to critical radiology services in Newark.

Given the national shortage of radiology technicians, University Hospital and Essex County College have partnered to train more students in radiology, a critical field essential to the diagnosis, treatment, and recovery for many conditions from broken bones to cancer; from strokes to spinal cord injuries.

One of the major bottlenecks contributing to the shortage of radiology technicians is lack of clinical training space.  UH and ECC are solving for this problem by partnering together. Students enrolled in Essex County College’s Radiography Program gain essential, hands-on clinical training at University Hospital. Working directly alongside experienced radiologic technologists and health care teams, students gain experience operating advanced imaging technology, observe patient care protocols, and develop practical skills within an acute care setting. Students also have the opportunity to gain employment at UH, as many have.

“At University Hospital, we know that we are both an essential health care provider in Newark as well as an important part of the local economy.   By partnering with Essex County College to provide training opportunities in a growing field like radiology technicians, University Hospital is helping to build opportunity here in Newark for the future of the health care workforce,” said Carole Johnson, President and Chief Executive Officer of University Hospital. “In fact, we are proud to have trained Essex County College students in the hospital, hired students in our Radiology Department, and to have excellent members of ECC’s Radiology Faculty on staff. Partnerships like this are an important part of University Hospital’s vision to support both health and economic opportunity in Newark while improving health for generations to come.”

Through this ongoing partnership, ECC radiology students have the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they’ve learned in the classroom in a clinical setting, gaining firsthand experience working alongside health care professionals and caring for patients. The clinical education component not only allows students to gain hands-on experience with various diagnostic imaging modalities, but it also helps prepare them for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) National Board Exam.

“Essex County College is proud to partner with University Hospital to prepare the next generation of radiologic technologists while creating pathways to employment and economic opportunity in Newark and Essex County. Through this partnership, we are demonstrating what is possible when higher education and health care institutions work together to connect classroom learning with real-world experience,” said Dr. Augustine Boakye, President of Essex County College. “By providing our students with high-quality clinical training alongside experienced health care professionals, we equip them with the skills, confidence, and preparation needed to succeed in this vital field.”

The partnership reflects both institutions shared mission to improve access to health care, drive economic opportunity, promote higher education, and cultivate local talent in the Newark region.