{"id":12987,"date":"2025-10-17T11:29:20","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T16:29:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin-new\/?post_type=campus_story&p=12987"},"modified":"2025-10-17T11:29:23","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T16:29:23","slug":"leading-in-health-professions-uwl-health-programs-see-continual-growth-top-tier-outcomes-and-direct-pipelines-to-employment","status":"publish","type":"campus_story","link":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/story\/leading-in-health-professions-uwl-health-programs-see-continual-growth-top-tier-outcomes-and-direct-pipelines-to-employment\/","title":{"rendered":"Leading in Health Professions: UWL health programs see continual growth, top-tier outcomes and direct pipelines to employment"},"content":{"rendered":"
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One of the fastest growing areas in Health Professions is Radiologic Sciences. From left, UWL student Ally Richarson, Director of Radiologic Sciences Melissa Weege, and UWL students Maddy Benson and Emma Strassburg are using VERT- radiation therapy virtual reality software.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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From\u00a0Radiologic Science<\/a>\u00a0to\u00a0Physical Therapy<\/a>, UW-La Crosse is making its mark as a leader in health professions education. UWL\u2019s health programs are expanding, student interest is surging and growing support services on campus are helping future healthcare professionals prepare from day one on campus.<\/p>\n

Over the past several years,\u00a0UWL Health Professions Department<\/a>\u00a0programs have added new degrees, expanded clinical partnerships, and grown advising infrastructure \u2014 all while maintaining excellent outcomes with near-perfect pass rates on licensure and certification exams across all Health Professions programs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve carved out a niche,\u201d says Tom Kernozek, professor and chair of the Health Professions Department. \u201cStudents say Madison feels too big and Milwaukee too urban \u2014 they\u2019re looking for a smaller, focused environment. And they\u2019re finding that here.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Programs on the rise<\/h3>\n
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From left, UWL students Emma Strassburg, Ally Richarson, Maddy Benson and Tanner Wevley practice radiation therapy treatment using a virtual reality simulator in class.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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One of the fastest-growing areas is\u00a0Radiologic Sciences<\/a>, which now includes\u00a0Radiation Therapy<\/a>,\u00a0Radiologic Technology<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Diagnostic Medical Sonography<\/a>. The latter two programs launched in 2022 and 2023 in response to years of planning and a growing pipeline of student interest.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe number of students selecting UWL for Radiologic Science or Nuclear Medicine Technology has quadrupled in the past year,\u201d says Director of Radiologic Sciences Melissa Weege, a 2001 Radiation Therapy alumna. \u201cOver 250 students declared those majors at START this past summer.\u201d<\/p>\n

This boom in enrollment reflects larger healthcare trends: a growing need for skilled professionals in imaging and therapy, rising salaries and strong job security. With expanded clinical affiliations and more program options, UWL students are launching their healthcare careers with purpose \u2014 often securing jobs months before graduation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are immense shortages in all these fields and that has driven the starting salaries up significantly,\u201d Weege adds. \u201cThat\u2019s making our programs a great return on investment \u2014 you\u2019re gaining education in these areas and that education also leads to fulfilling patient care careers, with excellent career advancement opportunities because of earning the bachelor’s degree.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Support that starts early<\/h3>\n
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Josh Bench, Pre-Health Student Resource Center coordinator<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

UWL\u2019s success isn\u2019t just about what happens in the classroom or clinic \u2014 it starts with a campus-wide support network that guides students from their first semester through graduation.<\/p>\n

A prime example is the\u00a0Pre-Health Student Resource Center<\/a>, launched in 2018 to meet the needs of UWL\u2019s rapidly growing pre-health student population. Today, it serves between 1,500 and 1,800 students at any given time, offering workshops, personalized academic planning and career exploration, as well as an \u201cIntroduction to Health-Related Careers\u201d course.<\/p>\n

The Pre-Health Student Resource Center also works closely with career advisors in\u00a0Academic Advising Center & Career Services Office<\/a>\u00a0to help students reach their goals.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re proud to say we\u2019ve become the go-to for pre-health questions on campus,\u201d says Josh Bench, the center\u2019s founding coordinator. \u201cWhile we continue to serve the growing number of Radiologic Science students, nearly half of our appointments last year were with non-advisees, showing just how far our reach and impact extend.\u201d<\/p>\n

This dedicated support complements strong foundational science courses across campus, exceptional UWL faculty and other resources \u00a0\u2014 from\u00a0Murphy Library<\/a>\u00a0to\u00a0Undergraduate Research & Creativity<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 ensuring students are academically prepared and professionally connected.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Immersive, hands-on learning<\/h3>\n
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Programs like Occupational Therapy incorporate hands-on experiences with real patients or actors long before students arrive at real hospitals or clinics. From left, Thomas Kernozek, chair of the UWL Health Professions Department; OT student Morgan Harrison; Naghmeh Gheidi, associate professor of Health Professions; and OT student Tori Bott, place reflective markers on Karen Saegrove, a patient, to measure the body mechanics as the patient transitions from sitting to standing position.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One reason UWL students are so well-prepared is the university\u2019s commitment to early, immersive training. Programs incorporate clinical-style environments long before students arrive at real hospitals or clinics \u2014 helping them build confidence and skills in low-risk, high-impact ways.<\/p>\n