RCC celebrates mammography program’s rise

ASHEBORO — The first group of Randolph Community College students in the new mammography program had 100% passing rates on national certification, the school announced.

The program was launched through a healthcare start-up grant. There’s specialized education and hands-on clinical experience.

The first four students also have job placement.

Part of the program’s benefits, Randolph County mammography clinical coordinator Hannah Hoover said, is that RCC’s radiography students can complete training in the county.

“It’s been a privilege to have some of these students rotate through our hospital and train with us, and we’re proud to now have two of them working with us as board-certified mammography technologists,” Hoover said.

One of those to complete the course and join Randolph Health is Jailene Najera-Vazquez.

RCC president Shah Ardalan called the program’s breakthrough a milestone.

“The success of our first mammography cohort demonstrates the power of partnerships and purposeful education,” he said in a statement. “By offering advanced training opportunities like this, we are meeting workforce needs. This program exemplifies our commitment to relevance, community impact, and the future of healthcare in Randolph County and beyond.”

Val Wyrick has been the course’s instructor.

Data provided by RCC shows that demand for radiologic technologists in North Carolina is projected to rise 16% by 2032.