HANCEVILLE, Ala. – Wallace State Community College’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program celebrated the success of its graduates in the Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN) associate degree option during a pinning ceremony Tuesday, Aug. 4.
Program Director Dr. April Sutherland congratulated the graduates and continued her tradition of describing the group with one word.
“For your class, the word that came to mind was compassion,” Sutherland said. “You are some of the most caring, compassionate students we have seen come through. You’ve given of your time, whether it’s volunteering to help us instructors, or show (ing) new students what they can expect or making cute gifts for new students to make them feel more comfortable and less intimidated. You all are such caring people.”
She said that quality will play a huge role in their careers.
“Being with your patient in some of the most joyous times, as well as some of the worst of their lives, requires you to show them compassion…and I have no doubt whatsoever that you are all equipped to do just that.”
Class President Kaylee Ellison of Hayden expressed her gratitude to Dr. Sutherland and all the instructors who encouraged them.
“You never once doubted that we would all make it here today,” Ellison said. “You poured wisdom and knowledge into us, and you have played a huge role in the sonographers we are and are going to be.”
The pinning ceremony symbolizes the graduates’ completion of the program, as well as their transition into professional practice as diagnostic medical sonographers. Sutherland congratulated all the graduates for passing their OB registries, “proving your knowledge and ability to do your best for your patient.”
During the ceremony, awards were presented to Kaylee Clabough of Hartselle as Valedictorian and Marlana Reeves of Springville for Clinical Excellence.
Members of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography OB/GYN Class of 2026 include Brooke Baker of Harvest; Hannah Caudle of Huntsville; Kaylee Clabough of Hartselle (class vice president); Kaylee Ellison (class president) and Cairi Holt of Hayden (class historian); Bryleigh Holman of Hazel Green; Natalie Kelley of Birmingham (class treasurer); Marlana Reeves of Springville (class secretary); Holly Selman of Alabaster; and Caroline Thornton of Rockford.
Wallace State’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program offers three associate degree options for students: General/Vascular, Cardiovascular and Obstetrics & Gynecology. Applications for admission are accepted annually from March 1 to June 1 for fall entry. For more information, visit wallacestate.edu/health, call 256-352-8307 or email jennifer.craig@wallacestate.edu.
During the ceremony, awards were presented to Kaylee Clabough of Hartselle as Valedictorian and Marlana Reeves of Springville for Clinical Excellence. (Wallace State)
