The Michigan Community College Association and the Michigan Radiologic and Imaging Science Consortium are proud to recognize the collaborative efforts of five Michigan community colleges and one state university to offer comprehensive training in advanced medical imaging.
A public event celebrating the recent accomplishments of the MiRIS Consortium will take place at 3 p.m. Nov. 8, 2012, at Lansing Community College in the Paula D. Cunningham Building, 610 N. Capitol Ave., Board Room 108.
Members of the MiRIS Consortium are Grand Rapids Community College, Kellogg Community College, Lake Michigan College, Lansing Community College, Mid Michigan Community College and Grand Valley State University.
Beyond the collegiate partnership, the MCCA’s Virtual Learning Collaborative offers the group a structure and process for flexible online course delivery. In addition, the Consortium partners with Michigan hospitals and outpatient facilities to provide students with a rich clinical learning experience.
Addressing the need for a highly trained health care workforce in Michigan, the MiRIS Consortium is an innovative collaborative model designed to allow students an opportunity to pursue a non-duplicative program of study and earn a certificate, associate degree or baccalaureate degree. Graduates qualify to complete a national certification exam administered through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists with the potential of earning stackable credentials. This is intended to reduce cost and time for students to complete their educational goals and lessen costs for colleges through extensive resource sharing. The efforts of the MiRIS Consortium provide employers with a highly trained and competent pool of health care professionals.
The MiRIS Consortium has received approval from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The HLC accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region of the United States.
Currently, the Consortium is offering a program in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with plans to offer similar programming in CT, mammography, cardiac and vascular interventional imaging and other advanced specialty areas, as well as exam preparation and continuing education for registered technologists.
Pictured above, students participate in a MiRIS Consortium workshop at Kellogg Community College this past summer.