Kaskaskia College Honors Diagnostic Medical Sonography Graduates at 26th Annual Pinning Ceremony
October 23, 2026
Kaskaskia College recognized 10 graduates during its 26th annual Diagnostic Medical Sonography Pinning Ceremony on October 7. Pictured in the front row, from left, are Natalia Mendoza Salcedo, Olney; Briahna Kempfer, Waterloo; Jayla True, Centralia; Emma Davis, Breese; and Rachel Cruthis, Greenville. Second row, from left, are Hannah Moore, Albion; Evelyn Juarez, Albers; Hayleigh Hutson, Salem; Isabella Howerton, Du Quoin; and Elizabeth Titus, Toledo. Third row, from left, are Sharon Elwood, KC Radiology Program Director; Jill Tally, DGMS Adjunct Faculty; Candace Sloat, Radiology and DGMS Faculty; and Cindy Hoffmann, DGMS Program Coordinator.
CENTRALIA, Ill. - Kaskaskia College recognized 10 Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DGMS) Program graduates during its 26th annual pinning ceremony on Wednesday, October 7, in the Jane Knight Auditorium on the College's main campus. The celebration highlighted the graduates' academic achievements, including a 100% pass rate on a national certification examination.
Approximately 80 family members, friends, and faculty attended the ceremony to celebrate the graduates' accomplishments and preparation for careers in diagnostic medical imaging. Each graduate received a commemorative pin recognizing their dedication and commitment to the healthcare profession.
All 10 graduates successfully passed the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) examination this summer. Passing the examination fulfills one of two requirements for earning the Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) credential. Graduates are now pursuing specialty examinations in either Abdomen or Obstetrics and Gynecology.
During the ceremony, Natalia Mendoza Salcedo of Olney received the Outstanding Student Award in recognition of her exceptional academic achievement in the College's 50-credit-hour certificate program.
Kaskaskia College's three-and-a-half-semester Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program combines classroom instruction, hands-on scanning experience, and clinical education in ultrasound physics, abdominal sonography, obstetrics and gynecology, and diagnostic imaging techniques. Clinical partnerships throughout the KC district, neighboring districts, and the St. Louis metropolitan area provide students with valuable real-world experience alongside practicing sonographers. Graduates also reported prospective employment opportunities in the field or current employment in radiology departments.
The program is led by KC DGMS Program Coordinator Cindy Hoffmann, with instruction and support from faculty members Candace Sloat and Jill Tally, along with clinical instructors at partnering healthcare facilities. Through the CAREER Agreement, qualified students from neighboring community college districts can also pursue specialized education in diagnostic medical sonography at KC.
Following the ceremony, graduates and their families gathered for a reception to celebrate their achievements.
