March 10, 2026
News Release for Immediate Release
POULSBO, Wash., - The TRA Medical Imaging Foundation is supporting four students enrolled in Olympic College’s newly launched Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) and Radiologic Technology (RADT) programs as part of its broader commitment to strengthening the regional healthcare workforce pipeline.
Launched in 2025, OC’s Imaging Sciences programs represent a significant expansion of healthcare career pathways in Kitsap County. By investing in students within these inaugural cohorts, the Foundation is helping ensure strong program retention, workforce readiness, and long-term regional impact.
Imaging sciences programs require rigorous academic coursework and extensive clinical training, often limiting students’ ability to maintain outside employment. Scholarships ranging from $7,500 to $10,000 help remove financial barriers and allow students to focus on completing their training.
“Olympic College’s Imaging Sciences programs are expanding access to high-demand healthcare careers in Kitsap County,” said Bart Thompson, MultiCare Health System. “By supporting students in these programs, we are investing in healthcare access, workforce stability, and economic mobility across our region.”
Students receiving scholarships of $8,500 each, are Jennifer Aker, DMS; Meliss Robbins, RADT; Annabel Rayburn, DMSS; and Darrell Teel RADT.
An OC graduate who returned to school after years in the workforce, Dean of Nursing & Allied Health Dr. Alecia Nye knows firsthand what students must overcome to achieve their goals.
“As an open-access institution, we know many of our students are the first in their families to go to college,” she said. “They juggle jobs and parenting while attending classes and clinicals. We are incredibly grateful to the TRA and the meaningful impact they are having on imaging students at OC and across the region.”
Healthcare systems throughout Washington continue to face shortages in imaging professionals. By partnering with OC, the Foundation is helping ensure local students can train locally and remain in the community to serve patients across the peninsula.
Additional scholarship application cycles will open Fall to expand support for future OC cohorts.
For more information about the TRA Medical Imaging Foundation, visit:
To learn more about TRA Medical Imaging Foundation scholars, visit:
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About the TRA Medical Imaging Foundation
The TRA Medical Imaging Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the medical imaging workforce pipeline while advancing health equity through scholarships, mentorship, and workforce development initiatives.
About Olympic College
You’re on a journey and Olympic College will help you reach your destination. Cutting edge programs. World-class facilities. Small class sizes. Professors who know you by name. A welcoming community. We offer all of this and more at a fraction of the cost of universities. Your first stop is the Olympic College Welcome Center, where you’ll receive one-on-one help with every step in the admissions process. Start your journey at olympic.edu.
