Atlantic Health System awards two diversity scholarships to the Morristown Medical Center School of Cardiovascular Technology
Supports efforts to enlist racial and ethnic minority groups in New Jersey
MORRISTOWN, NJ (Morris County) – Atlantic Health System announced that it has awarded its first annual Morristown Medical Center School of Cardiovascular Technology diversity scholarships to two individuals to support its efforts to enlist and embrace members of racial and ethnic minority groups.
The two awardees are Walter Murudumbay from Landing, NJ and Quintina Hatten, from South Orange, NJ.
Full tuition for both scholarships is generously funded through the Foundation for Morristown Medical Center and the Overlook Foundation and includes the entire cost of the program plus uniforms and learning materials.
The 18-month program started in early September, with a post-graduation, two-year employment commitment to a related role at Atlantic Health System. All lectures and classroom training are held at the School of Cardiovascular Technology at 200 South Street, Morristown, NJ, as well as the Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute located within the Morristown Medical Center, with clinical rotations taking place at Overlook Medical Center and other Atlantic Health System medical center and outpatient imaging locations, as well as other clinical affiliation sites.
“As home to the largest cardiac surgery and invasive cardiology programs in New Jersey we are incredibly proud to offer the most up-to-date cardiac technologies available to our patients,” said Linda Gillam, MD, MPH, FACC, the Dorothy and Lloyd Huck Chair of Cardiovascular Medicine, Medical Director of the Cardiovascular Service Line for Atlantic Health System, and Professor of Medicine at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. “We are thrilled to offer this advanced educational opportunity to two members of our community and are grateful for the generous support of our Morristown and Overlook foundations that made these scholarships possible.”
Under Dr. Gillam’s leadership, Atlantic Health System has become nationally recognized as a leader in cardiology, attracting best-in-class talent, state-of-the-art technology and clinical trials. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of cardiovascular technologists and technicians is expected to grow 10% from 2022-2032.
The school received initial accreditation on April 27, 1996 and is one of 106 accredited cardiovascular programs in the United States and the only school in New Jersey to offer three specialty tracks: echocardiography (cardiac ultrasound), peripheral vascular imaging and invasive cardiology.
The program includes classroom, laboratory and clinical experiences such as learning how to monitor patients, administer care and perform or assist with diagnostic procedures. Students will also learn how to gather, calculate and analyze data and how to maintain and troubleshoot diagnostic equipment.
Founded at Morristown Medical Center in 1976, the goal of the Cardiovascular Technology program was to meet the growing demand for cardiovascular technologists. It is the only program in the State of New Jersey that offers three clinical tracks accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
