Below is an interview with Traci Fox, EdD, RT(R), RDMS, RVT the Vascular Coordinator at Thomas Jefferson University sharing how they became a Signature School and the benefits that it provides their students.
Traci Fox, Vascular Coordinator and her students at Thomas Jefferson University
How did you arrange for your school to become a Signature School?
My students were already on board with the idea of joining a professional society. The SVU already made it easy and affordable for students to join the SVU, but by offering Signature School status they made it an even better offer. Now my students can pay less money to join a professional society while also receiving discounts on products and events.
How does SVU help supplement your lesson plans?
SVU plays an integral part in my lesson plans. My students submit abstracts to the SVU for the annual conference. Whether their abstract gets accepted or not for the annual conference, the students are required to submit a digital poster of their abstract in class. In addition, we have journal club where students select journal articles for discussion in class. The JVU has a variety of articles that help keep the students current in their field.
What value do your students receive from SVU?
As a result of SVU, my students are more scholarly and it sets them up for future success as authors and researchers. To date, out of the past four years, two of my vascular students have had papers accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Additionally, the students are able to be a part of a professional society and be part of a wider network, outside of their usual domain. There are a lot of potential networking possibilities being a member of SVU. Students that present at the SVU annual conference gain valuable experience doing something that many find uncomfortable, speaking to an audience.
Why should schools become a Signature School?
There is really no reason not to become a Signature School. The paperwork is minimal, at least the same as there was without the designation. Also, it tells the outside world that your program is part of something bigger, and something special. It says, “Look at my program as an exemplar for what a vascular program should be.”