CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Del Mar College has taught students for 50 years in their Radiologic Technology Program. They have trained technologists for hospitals, clinics, and doctors' offices, filling the need for occupational profession in the healthcare industry around the Coastal Bend. The program first started June 3, 1974. The program was originally taught in the Flato Building, which is now called the Windward Campus. Program administrators estimate more than 1,000 students have completed the program to work in the field.
The Radiologic Technology Program is housed with the Dental and Imaging Technology Department. The program grew and expanded to two radiographic systems and allowed more students to receive hands-on training. In 2006, it was relocated to the first floor of Building #3 of the Health Sciences Complex after the college completed its $108 million capital improvements program passed in 2003 by Del Mar College District Taxpayers.
The program collaborates with several healthcare industry partners to provide students with 12 sites for required clinical training and experience. Retired chairperson of Allied Health, Patricia Paris, spoke with 3News about when she first started with the program. "I began my journey as a radiographer in 1965. At the time we did not have digital imaging. we did have automatic processors. there were a lot of things we did manually that are not done anymore. there's a lot of exams that we did that are no longer performed I believe."
The program has also needed to update as technology advanced. "As advances occur, it was hard to keep up," Paris said, "I'm thrilled and delighted of the advancements that occurred in imaging. So many things can be detected now, that could not be detected years ago."
Radiologic Technology Graduate, Justin Bonewald, says being a graduate from 2021, there were not as many changes as others have experienced. He currently works at Christus Spohn Shoreline. Bonewald said he does interventional radiology. "I started off in the OR. After six months, I started to pursue my career and went into the interventional world. That is how I came up to what I am now."
The program has also been described as competitive. In the Fall of 2024, registered students for Radiologic Technology majors included 17 sophomores and 25 freshman students. Bonewald told 3News the program can be completed in two years, provided all the basics have already been completed. "It is a very competitive program to come into. you can do it in one year, so it would be three years total. Because it is so competitive, if you get one or two B's, you might not even get into the program."
Paris, who retired in 2006 encourages students wanting to go into the program. "You have to continue studying, continue learning. Its a learning process. You know, its lifelong learning. So you have to keep up." Meanwhile Bonewald encourages interested students to take a leap of faith and apply for the program. "If you are interested in these programs, do it. You never know until you actually do it. I love to help people. that is my goal. If i get to help someone, at least one person a day, then I am making a difference."
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