Riverland College Equips Radiography Program for Under $300K, Powered by BMI
Riverland Community College (RCC), a rural community college in Austin, Minnesota, operates in a healthcare-heavy region and has been home to a vital radiography program since the 1990s. The program serves many first-generation students, and its core mission is to train them for a career field with meaningful impact and upward mobility. This commitment to student success is where Brown’s Medical Imaging (BMI) stepped in as a quality partner with affordable options.
The Challenge: Outdated Technology
For a program dedicated to preparing students for immediate employment, having outdated lab equipment was a serious barrier. Prior to their update, RCC was using a very “ancient model” that was not close to what is currently being used in the modern clinical environment. The equipment was aging, and the college needed current technology.
The Solution: Affordable, Cutting-Edge Equipment from BMI
Katie Kruckeberg, RCC clinical coordinator, remembered reaching out to Brown’s, noting they had been great to work with in the past. Through BMI, RCC was able to purchase essential, high-value equipment: a C-arm, a mobile X-ray machine, and a new digital lab.
What’s more, the equipment cost under $300,000. As Vicki Kintop, RCC radiography program director, noted, “We could spend $300,000 on just one of those things.” BMI’s ability to provide the latest technology at an affordable price made this crucial upgrade possible, showcasing their dedication to providing tailored solutions to meet customer needs.
The Impact: Truly Workforce Ready
This partnership means Riverland’s students are now using the same equipment and digital interfaces they will encounter in their clinical sites. This eliminates the learning curve often faced by new graduates.
“They’re workforce ready,” said Chris Wolf, academic dean of nursing, health, and wellness at RCC. “They’re prepared to use the equipment that they’re going to be using starting day one.”
For BMI, the partnership has been a success. “Having BMI as our partner… is a pleasure, and we’ll continue to do business with them in the future,” Kintop said.