HCTC to launch Kentucky's only nuclear medicine program

Published on Jan 27, 2025

Hazard Community & Technical College (HCTC) will launch Kentucky's only nuclear medicine imaging program later this year. The program's launch is in response to growing workforce needs in this sector of the region's healthcare industry.

 "The limited training offerings in recent years have resulted in a lot of vacancies," Tracey Ison, program coordinator for nuclear medicine imaging, said. "There is no one to fill the positions of those retiring from the field, so there is a great need. That's one of the biggest things this program will offer to students: the ability to find a high-demand, high-paying job."

Nuclear medicine imaging is a diagnostic tool that utilizes small amounts of radioactive materials to diagnose and treat a variety of diseases, including cancer and heart disease. The program at HCTC will combine coursework in human anatomy, nuclear physics and patient care with hands-on clinical training.

Graduates of the program will be prepared for careers in diverse healthcare settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics and imaging centers. Their specialized training also opens opportunities in other imaging-adjacent fields, such as radiography and sonography.

"Nuclear medicine imaging is closely related to radiography and sonography but stands apart as a distinctive field," Ison said. "For professionals in these areas, this program offers a chance to broaden their expertise. Multimodality — the ability to perform multiple imaging tasks — is highly valued in today's imaging landscape."

According to Dr. Jennifer Lindon, president and chief executive officer of HCTC, the program will open doors for people in the college's service region and beyond.

"We are thrilled to bring this unique educational opportunity to southeastern Kentucky, working closely with local employers to address critical workforce needs," Dr. Lindon said. "This program marks a transformative step in healthcare education, preparing students for high-demand careers while strengthening hospitals and clinics across the Commonwealth."

The program has been developed with rigorous standards. The college received approval to launch it from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an accrediting agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education. Applications for the inaugural cohort close on May 1, and classes will begin at the start of the Fall 2025 semester.

To learn more about the program, email Tracey Ison at tison0067@kctcs.edu or call (606) 487-3266.