Seated (from left) are: Emma G. Trippi from Watson; Taylor M. Williams from Ponchatoula; Caroline Grace Sellers from Hammond; Mia E. Maillet from Ponchatoula; Karissa Leigh Hoyt from Independence; and Shelby D. Wall from Amite. Standing (from left) are: Lani N. LeBouef from Houma; Morrison Airianna Hamilton from Hammond; Camerin Alyse Power from Hammond; Stephen J. Walker II from New Orleans; Brandon M. Klein from Loranger; Joley G. Fortenberry from Magnolia, Mississippi; Kristal L. Drury from Osyka, Mississippi; and Harlee S. Weigel from Loranger.
HAMMOND—The fifty-fifth graduating class of North Oaks School of Radiologic Technology was honored with a commencement ceremony on Thursday, June 20.
Program Director Heather Koepp proudly shared that the class of 2024 has a 100 percent retention and job placement rate.
The 14 graduates include Kristal L. Drury from Osyka, Mississippi; Joley G. Fortenberry from Magnolia, Mississippi; Morrison Airianna Hamilton, Camerin Alyse Power and Caroline Grace Sellers from Hammond; Karissa Leigh Hoyt from Independence; Brandon M. Klein and Harlee S. Weigel from Loranger; Lani N. LeBouef from Houma; Mia E. Maillet and Taylor M. Williams from Ponchatoula; Emma G. Trippi from Watson; Stephen J. Walker II from New Orleans; and Shelby D. Wall from Amite.
Commencement was held at the E. Brent Dufreche Conference Center, located within North Oaks Diagnostic Center on the North Oaks Medical Center campus.
North Oaks Chief Human Resources Officer Jeff Jarreau presided over the ceremony that concluded two years of study for the students involving 2,000 clinical hours and more than 1,200 classroom hours.
North Oaks Pastoral Care Director Keith Kincaid delivered the invocation, and Drury led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The commencement address was delivered by Sarah H. Bahm, a 2005 alumna of North Oaks School of Radiologic Technology and 21-year employee of North Oaks Health System. Bahm currently serves as the health system’s Diagnostic Radiology and Support Manager.
“Radiography opens the door for so many opportunities,” Bahm asserted. “Go on to cross-train in CT, MRI, interventional radiology, mammography or cardiac catheterization. Apply for nuclear medicine or radiation therapy school like several of your fellow classmates have chosen to do. Pursue your dreams. Never stop learning and strive to become a leader in your field – the next lead tech, manager, instructor or director.”
Bahm continued, “Be bold. Be confident in the knowledge that you have the skillset to accomplish great things in the radiology field.”
“Every single day, you will have the privilege of helping others. Go above and beyond to improve lives every time, every touch while remembering to practice self-care too,” Bahm encouraged. “To care for others to the best of your ability, remember that you must first prioritize taking care of yourself.”
Before the presentation of diplomas by Koepp, outstanding achievement awards were given. North Oaks School of Radiologic Technology Didactic Instructor Ben Raney presented the Academic Award to Klein for obtaining the highest overall scholastic average. Klein also received the Perfect Attendance Award – the fourth student in the school’s 55-year history to do so – and the Dannye Young Taylor “Always Remembering Others” award, presented by Didactic Instructor Kenneth E. Travis, in recognition of selfless assistance to others and teamwork. Now retired, Taylor was a longtime patient representative for North Oaks Health System. Her husband, Dr. Rodney Taylor, established the award in tribute to her and her motto, “always remember others.”
The Performance and Attitude Award for exceptional performance in the clinical setting was presented to Hamilton by Stephanie A. McKenzie, the school’s clinical coordinator. Hamilton also received the CARE Award from Koepp in recognition of her commitment, good attitude, respect for others and perfect effort.
In addition, Drury, Fortenberry, Hamilton, Klein, LeBoeuf, Maillet, Power, Sellers, Trippi, Walker, Wall, Weigel and Williams were recognized as members of Lambda Nu, a national honor society for the radiologic and imaging sciences. To become a member, one must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average out of a possible 4.0.
In Koepp’s remarks, she noted that many members of the class of 2024 received state and national acclaim through the Louisiana Society of Radiologic Technologists (LSRT) and American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT).
Maillet placed first in the LSRT essay competition with her entry entitled, “Ultrasound: A Tool to Reverse or Treat the Effects of Type 2 Diabetes.” Hoyt and Walker were elected to serve as chair and regional representative respectively on the 2023-24 LSRT Student Council.
Drury, Hamilton and Klein completed the LSRT Student Leadership Development Program, and Hamilton was chosen as the recipient of the 2023 LSRT Joe Schwartz Memorial Scholarship.
On the national stage, Hamilton and Klein were two of 24 students awarded Lambda Nu National Honor Society fall scholarships in 2023. Klein also joined 71 students chosen nationwide to take part in the ASRT Student Leadership Development Program. He was one of two students selected from Louisiana and the third student ever from North Oaks School of Radiologic Technology to participate. Klein plans to travel to Orlando, Florida the week of June 24 to represent North Oaks and the LSRT at the 2024 ASRT Educational Symposium and Annual Governance and House of Delegates meeting.
Rounding out the class of 2024’s accolades, Drury, Hamilton, Hoyt, Klein, Power, Sellers, Walker and Weigel received ASRT Foundation Sponsor-a-Student Grants.
Koepp concluded her remarks by noting that LeBouef, Sellers, Trippi and Williams will continue their education in nuclear medicine starting in August through Weber State University based in Ogden, Utah. In July, Klein will begin his pursuit of specialization in radiation therapy through Washburn University, which is based in Topeka, Kansas.
Established in 1967, North Oaks School of Radiologic Technology is accredited by Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. The school offers a comprehensive 24-month program that provides classroom and clinical instruction to prepare students for careers in the field of diagnostic imaging, which is used to diagnose and treat diseases and injuries. Upon graduation, students are eligible to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists national certification examination and apply for Louisiana state licensure through the Louisiana State Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners.
Applications for the 2025-27 class will be accepted through June 1, 2025. Applications are available online at northoaks.org/careers.
For more information, call North Oaks School of Radiologic Technology at 985-230-7805.