WVU Hospitals’ Nuclear Medicine Technology Program advances imaging science education
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The WVU Hospitals Imaging Science Education Programs are shaping the next generation of medical imaging professionals through hands-on training that meets the growing demand for advanced imaging expertise across West Virginia and beyond.
Presley Bates, is now employed with WVU Hospitals
as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist I with the WVU Heart
Vascular Institute.
Among them is the WVU Hospitals Nuclear Medicine Technology Education Program – the only nuclear medicine program in the state – which offers a 12-month curriculum combining classroom instruction with real-world clinical rotations.
“Nuclear medicine is such a unique field because it allows us to see how organs function in real time while also offering therapeutic options for patients with conditions like cancer,” Tiffany Davis, program director, said. “It’s the perfect blend of imaging and treatment.”
Students study radiation safety, anatomy, nuclear medicine procedures, physics, and radiopharmaceuticals while completing rotations in general nuclear medicine, nuclear cardiology, PET/CT, and nuclear pharmacy. All learning takes place at WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, where state-of-the-art SPECT/CT and PET/CT scanners provide hands-on experience.
“Our students get the benefit of learning alongside experienced technologists using advanced equipment to perform thousands of studies each year,” Davis said. “We want them to graduate not only prepared for certification, but confident and capable in any clinical setting.”
Graduates are eligible to take national board examinations, qualifying them for careers in general nuclear medicine, PET/CT, nuclear cardiology, and related specialties.
For current student Torrie Sova, the program’s mix of academics and clinical application offers the ideal foundation for a career in nuclear medicine.
“A typical day in the classroom is a mix of lectures, quizzes, and interactive reviews that make learning fun and engaging,” Sova said. “But it’s in the clinical setting where everything really comes together. You’re placing IVs, performing scans, and seeing how what you learn in class applies directly to patient care.”
Sova credits the program’s supportive learning environment and dedicated faculty for making the experience both challenging and rewarding.
“All the staff here are incredibly welcoming,” she added. “They truly want to see their students succeed, and that makes a huge difference.”
Recent graduate Presley Bates said the program provided a pathway to combine a lifelong passion for science with meaningful patient care.
“Nuclear medicine stood out to me because it seamlessly integrates physics, chemistry, and biology while making a direct impact on patient care,” Bates said.
“WVU Hospitals, particularly Ruby Memorial, provides an exceptional learning environment. As a Level I trauma center equipped with advanced technology, the hospital offers students exposure to a wide variety of cases and procedures, preparing us well for our future careers.”
Graduates consistently find employment across a range of healthcare settings, with average salaries from $60,000 to $170,000 per year and projected job growth of about 8 percent over the next five years.
Applications for the next class are due Feb. 1, 2026, and the new cohort begins study in July 2026.
To learn more or apply, visit WVUMedicine.org/RadTech/Nuclear-Medicine.
About the WVU Medicine Imaging Science Education Programs
The Imaging Science Education Programs at WVU Medicine provide comprehensive, accredited training in radiography, MRI, sonography, echocardiography, radiation therapy, and nuclear medicine. Through classroom and clinical experiences, the programs prepare students for national certification and careers in diagnostic imaging, education, and healthcare leadership.