Texas Southmost College hits 100% graduation and 100% job placement in the ARDMS SPI certification exam

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A moment of pride and joy filled the halls of Texas Southmost College (TSC) this May as seven determined students from the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program crossed the stage to receive their Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (AAS in DMS). Behind their smiles is a story of resilience, rigorous training, and a program with a longstanding commitment to excellence, community service, and student success.

“Our students leave TSC workforce-ready, highly skilled, and already in demand,” said Texas Southmost College Program Director for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Dr. Ariel I. Villanueva. “The TSC DMS Program is the only CAAHEP Accredited program in the Rio Grande Valley and the only one South of Corpus Christi, Texas.” “Students want to graduate from an accredited program because it allows them to challenge the ARDMS certification exams immediately upon graduation, an essential step for employment in the field.”

Training Across the RGV

TSC’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography graduates earned their success through dedication and rigorous training. 

TSC’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography graduates earn their success through dedication and rigorous training that takes place over the course of 18 months. During this time, students complete four semesters of clinical rotations at top medical facilities throughout the Rio Grande Valley, from Brownsville to Edinburg. These immersive, real-world experiences expose students to diverse specialties and healthcare settings, and it equips them with the hands-on skills and confidence needed long before they walk across the graduation stage.

A Community-Driven Mission

Beyond hospital walls, the DMS program also extends its impact by providing free sonograms for pregnant women from the community, an initiative that has been running since 2004. This service allows students to refine their scanning skills while offering expecting mothers complimentary ultrasound images as a thank-you for their participation.

“This is a win-win for everyone,” added Dr. Villanueva. “Our students gain critical practice, and our community benefits from an invaluable service.” Expectant mothers can participate by contacting Janet Hernandez at (956) 295-3731 or janet.hernandez@tsc.edu. Appointments can also be arranged via the program’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/SonographyProgram.

Looking to the Future

With this chapter closed, the program is already looking ahead. The next cohort begins in Fall 2025, and applications are due by the last working day of May 2025.

“We currently have eight 2nd-year students on track to graduate in May 2026,” Dr. Villanueva noted. “If you’re looking for a high-demand, accredited healthcare career close to home, our TSC DMS program is the gold standard in the region.”

As the Spring 2025 class moves forward, they carry not only the weight of their achievement, but the hopes of future patients and a thriving community that believes in them.

From Left to Right: Meet the Class of Spring 2025

All seven students have secured employment before graduation, maintaining TSC’s proud tradition of 100% Passing Rate and 100% job placement for DMS graduates.

Pictured together in celebration are:

• Guadalupe Lopez – Hired at Valley Baptist Medical Center Harlingen
• Deyra Vaquera – Hired at Valley Regional Medical Center
• Laura Zubieta – Hired at Valley Regional Medical Center
• Sara Olivarez – Hired at Knapp Medical Center and RGV Vascular and Vein Institute
• Ashley Contreras – Hired at Harlingen Medical Center
• Jose Velasco Jr. – Hired as a Cardiac Sonographer at Valley Regional Medical Center
• Devin Guajardo – Hired at Valley Baptist Medical Center Brownsville

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