Lake Michigan College introduces new Cardiac Sonography program

BENTON TOWNSHIP, MI – Health care providers in southwest Michigan need more cardiac sonographers. Lake Michigan College is answering the call to help fill these well-paying positions with a new specialized area of study under its Diagnostic Medical Sonography program umbrella. 

With the introduction of the Cardiac Sonography program, LMC will train students to become highly skilled allied health professionals prepared to perform echocardiograms for a variety of diagnostic and treatment procedures. 

Currently, one-third of cardiac sonography positions in southwest Michigan and northcentral Indiana are staffed by traveling health care professionals because employers are unable to find qualified candidates for permanent roles. As a result, this program will create a valuable local talent pool that employers can depend on.

“Our program advisory committee members, along with leaders of major health systems in the region, enthusiastically support the creation of the Cardiac Sonography program to address this critical need,” stated Dr. LaToya Mason, LMC Dean of Health Sciences. “LMC’s proven experience in training highly skilled, career-ready graduates positions us well to do this.”

Graduates of the program will earn an Associate in Applied Science degree, gain eligibility to sit for credentialing board exams immediately upon graduation, and acquire practical skills highly sought by health care employers.

“We’ve designed our program with over 800 clinical hours of hands-on training to ensure graduates are not only eligible for the board exams, but also possess the confidence and competence to excel in their roles on day one. Direct patient interaction prepares them to independently administer specialized tests, making them immediately valuable in the clinical setting,” stated Beth Zak, Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Chair and Faculty.

The job and income outlooks are strong for cardiac sonographers. According to 2024 data, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects jobs in this field to grow by 14% over the next decade. This increase in job growth is driven by an aging population and rising cardiovascular disease rates. Additionally, as echocardiography technology advances, it is increasingly becoming the first line of assessment, replacing more costly and invasive procedures. The median annual wage for diagnostic medical sonographers is $89,340, with cardiac sonographers often earning at or above this median.

“By addressing an important workforce training need for our health care partners, we open up opportunities for local residents to gain the skills needed for these well-paying jobs. These are the types of careers that allow people to build lives in our communities and be part of a vibrant local economy that we all benefit from,” stated LMC Executive Vice President Dr. Ken Flowers. 

The addition of the Cardiac Sonography program has been made possible with the recent renovation and expansion of instructional labs on the College’s Benton Harbor campus. By repurposing space in the C-wing of the main academic building, the program has doubled the number of sonography teaching labs from three to six rooms. 

“Experience has shown that on-campus training in the lab setting is essential for student success. We are able to provide consistent training that builds foundational skills and techniques before students enter the clinical training portion of the program,” Zak stated.

LMC’s Cardiac Sonography program joins the existing OB/GYN and Abdominal-Extended areas of sonography training. Both of these established programs earned 10-year accreditation renewals from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) in 2025. The 10-year accreditation is the highest possible and reflects the program’s adherence to rigorous academic and clinical standards. 

For more information on this and other LMC health science programs, visit lakemichigancollege.edu/academics/health-sciences.