John and Margaret Post Foundation Awards Lackawanna College Sonography Program Grant for New Equipment

The Lackawanna College Sonography Program is pleased to announce that it has received a $35,000 grant from The John and Margaret Post Foundation. This funding will be used to purchase a new Mindray sonography machine, which will enhance the hands-on training experience for our students.
New Equipment for Student Training
The new sonography machine will benefit the current 145 students and those enrolling in the Spring 2025 semester. Having access to the latest technology is essential for preparing sonography students for their future careers in healthcare.
“Securing funding is critical for the sonography program because it allows us to stay competitive and ensure students are trained on the latest technology. Advanced equipment like this not only enhances their learning experience but it prepares them to meet the evolving demands of the healthcare industry,” said Stephanie McDaniels, Lackawanna College Director of Sonography Programs. “Without having these modern resources and hands-on training while in college, students may face challenges with getting hired after graduation.”
Supporting Student Success
The Sonography Program at Lackawanna College aims to prepare students for in-demand roles in the healthcare field. With a job placement rate of 94% in 2023, the programs graduates are well-positioned to meet industry needs.
“There is a high demand for cardiac and vascular sonographers, post COVID-19 and President Murray approached us, asking if we can increase enrollment to meet that demand,” said McDaniels. “We have recruiters coming in every semester from big networks such as Geisinger and Lehigh Valley Health Network looking to hire specifically our sonography students to fill these roles.”
Meeting Industry Needs
The Sonography Program has grown significantly in recent years. Between 2022 and 2024, enrollment in our Cardiac and Vascular Sonography programs increased six-fold, and the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program tripled its enrollment. This growth has led to an expansion of our equipment, now including nearly 20 machines across three programs.
“We went from having two or three machines with one program to now having three programs with close to 20 machines. Donations like this are vital to our program because there is such a demand for ultrasound technologists and with the growing number of students, we can meet that demand by having them train on these new machines,” McDaniels said.