Sterile Processing Technician Certification

Just received confirmation that, for those who desire the Sterile Processing Technician Certification:

Should this class be completed, the Program Coordinator assigns extra points for one the very limited 18 seats available once per year for the SURG Tech degree. 

To be clear, it is not a recommendation to take it prior, it costs $1,920.  Not covered by financial aid, but might be some monies in WDCE.

According to Professor Harges, jobs that pay well also.

Maureen Mirowski

HIM Admissions (Summer 2026 Update)

 Hello all, This is new info for HIM:

If students missed the June 15 deadline for HIM, have students email Corinne Smith if they have ENGL and MATH.

She will put in late acceptance for them ( starts Fall )!

She does not have the rule of 5 years on any BIOL.

Maureen Mirowski

MS in Counseling Psychology & Counselor Education

Montgomery College

Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus

Adjunct Faculty Counselor

HC 436, T:  240-567-5810

It is most efficient to email me for the fastest response.

I hold two part time positions among the Counseling & Advising department and six Health Science departments. 

Most students find online faster than making an appointment since March, 2020.

 

Health Sciences Dean Update

As of Thursday, August 14, 2025, I am no longer with Montgomery College. 

 

The Interim Dean of Health Sciences/ Director of Nursing has not been named.

 

Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Nawal Benmouna (nawal.benmouna@montgomerycollege.edu) and the leadership team below can be contacted for assistance.

 

For Urgent Allied Health Matter and WDCE: please contact Chair Morgan Kee: morgan.kee@montgomerycollege.edu

 

For Urgent Health Enhancement Programs Matters: please contact Chair Beth Ridings: elizabeth.ridings@montgomerycollege.edu

 

For Urgent Nursing Program Matters: please connect with Chair Timothy Fuss: timothy.fuss@montgomerycollege.edu

 

Thank you!

Monique Davis, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE

Nursing Update - Summer 2025

Nursing, since it has 192 spots available 2x per year: Has ‘opened up’ the possibilities of acceptance.

First, for the April 1 deadline/ Fall start, students can be in process of BIOL 213 when applying,.

Theoretically, they could be finishing BIOL 212 and take BIOL 213 SSI.

I want to double check on the latter, Brenda Knopp not back until next week.

 

Secondly, for the August 1 deadline/Spring start, yes, they can apply ( taking TEAS by then ) while:

Taking BIOL 212 SSI, and BIOL 213 SSII.

I am getting questions if students can take BIOL 213 in Fall for the 8-1 deadline. No they cannot.

Has to be summer.

 

Third, BIOL 228 also has the five year rule.  So again, can’t be taken Fall, has to be summer, as one student was doing.

 

Number 4, thought I was done, nope:  If not offered summer or semester desired, remember it is EITHER BIOL 228 or BIOL 213 students can take for that five year rule.

 Oh look, another one:  #5.  As of July 1, Tim Fuss will become Nursing Chairperson, and Morgan Kee becomes the Health Sciences Chair.

 Maureen Mirowski

Georgetown University's - Ophthalmic Technician Training Program

guiding students toward successful career paths and I’m writing to bring to your attention Georgetown University's comprehensive Ophthalmic Technician Training Program, which offers excellent opportunities for your graduates seeking rewarding careers in the healthcare field.

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By recommending our program, you can help your graduates gain practical, in-demand skills that lead to immediate employment opportunities, enter a stable and growing healthcare field with excellent career advancement potential, and benefit from the prestige and quality of a Georgetown University education at a reduced price.

We believe our Ophthalmic Technician Training Program provides a valuable pathway for your graduates seeking fulfilling and impactful careers. We encourage you to share this information with your students and colleagues.

For more information about Georgetown University's Ophthalmic Technician Training Program, please visit https://ophthalmology.georgetown.edu/omp/ or email any time. Thank you!

 

Teresa (Anjali) Narayan, OD

Optometrist

Ophthalmic Personnel Medical Training Programs

MedStar Georgetown University Hospital

3800 Reservoir Road LLPHC Dept of Ophthalmology

Washington DC 20007

 

Teresa (Anjali) Narayan, OD

Optometrist

Ophthalmic Personnel Medical Training Programs

MedStar Georgetown University Hospital

3800 Reservoir Road LLPHC Dept of Ophthalmology

Washington DC 20007

Nursing Health Science Application Q&A Re: Transcripts

From Maureen Mirowski:

I asked after the nursing info session this week re: the transcripts question.  See Brenda Knopp’s (Nursing Program Chair) answers below. Note she says ‘I think’ on the first one. I think I’ll stick with just send the officials again! 

Two things:  

1.  Regarding international transcripts from WES, ECE or JSA:

They should keep a copy for themselves. I think as long as they send a copy and it is already in the system it will be fine. 

2.  **If you have had your OFFICIAL transcript from another college evaluated within the last year AND have not taken any more classes at that facility you do not need to submit OFFICIAL transcripts. However, you are asked to submit unofficial transcripts.

**If your transcripts were evaluated OVER one year of the deadline for the application you need to submit your OFFICIAL transcript as part of the application. 

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Update

Anniet Glenn, in her PTA info session Monday of this week indicated:

For this application deadline of March 1 2024 only, there is now ‘wiggle room’ for one of the 24-26 seats: 

Students who are in progress of courses listed should still apply if interested.

As the program starts in the Fall, there is time to wait until mid-May to see grades.

And therefore, still be accepted.

Of course, having BIOL 213 done is ideal as it is the core science piece on TEAS.

For this program, BIOL 150 is a minimum course, and BIOL 212 is priority. Noting:  BIOL 213 is not a requirement.

All we can say is ‘go for it’, if students want to take TEAS with less preparation nor being done with BIOLs.

 

Maureen Mirowski

Adjunct Faculty Counselor

HC 436, T:  240-567-5810

Health Sciences Admission Application Updates

The next health science application sent from ORR should be coming in November.

Changes ‘we’ ( me ) suggested may be on there:

1. Minimum GPA 2.5 of last 24 credits taken or overall.
2. Five year rule applies to the second AP taken, or our BIOL 213.
3. There is an exception of PTA, where only BIOL 212 is required.  Thus applies to BIOL 212, which might be why it not listed. Maybe it still won’t be…

Separately, no longer in health sciences meetings, reported to me last week that Surgical Technology will become two year program. Prior to this, SURG courses could be done in one year ( with no life ).  The interim Program Coordinator is Patrice Whiting.

Hope you have a fine week,

Maureen Mirowski, M.S.

 

 

BIOL 228 Waiver Update

Note, if student’s AP2 is more than five years old, they either have to take BIOL 228 or can choose to re-take BIOL 213 AND have the grade for it by the deadline to be the most competitive for admission.

Maureen

Part-Time Health Sciences Counselor

Health Science - Summer 2023 Updates

 

1. Pre-nursing students need to take BIOL 213 + L Summer I if AP2 more than five years old to meet their August 1 deadline!
2. This is because BIOL 228 isn’t offered then.
3. Pre-HIM or Medical Coder students can apply to a second deadline of June 15.
4. Our Polysomnography ( POSM ) program will not be offered in the future.  Website says suspended.  It’s official, no more, from Dean Monique Davis when I inquired today.  Had a student interested.
5. Surg Tech now accepts 20 students, hoping to return to 30 next year.

• SURG accepted 20 students this year.  They hope to get back up to 30.

Maureen Mirowski, M.S

P-T faculty Counselor

Health Science Programs - March 1 2023 Applications Update

As we do not know how many applicants for each, nor each year, ‘qualified’ or not, the answer to your students is this:  Apply to see what happens.  

This does not hurt the student re:  Re-applying next year contains no penalty when they will have the grades by the deadline. 

In addition, BIOL 212 and BIOL 213 are on TEAS.  For both RT and PTA, students can apply without one or the other. Only BIOL 212 is required for the PTA program.  Yet both have a TEAS requirement, rendering them not fully prepared or if in progress.  Up to the student…take BIOL 213 first to do better on TEAS?  Or not.

Direct students for health science application questions to the department that processes them:  healthsciencesapplications@montgomerycollege.edu

Maureen Mirowski, M.S.

P-T faculty Counselor

Office:  240-567-5810

Surgical Tech Update - SP23

SURG now has 30 seats available, it was 18, and two of those were dedicated to MCPS students. It used to start in summer, but last I knew, it is still Fall. 

 Program Coordinator: Michael Hayden:  Michael.Hayden@montgomerycollege.edu

New Clinical Coordinator: Melvina Cherry Melvina.Cherry@montgomerycollege.edu

 Enjoy your day,

Maureen

Health Sciences Application - 2023

 Hello all,              

1. The latest hs app is now available for 2023. If there are any links out there that still say 2022, don’t use.  
2. One simple way is to type health sciences application in the search box and click on Health Sciences Admissions.
3. Though it states Fall semester, 2023 on cover sheet, two programs begin in summer:  DMS and RT, which students and everyone can note as they continue reading the application.
4. Note there are two programs that state:  A&Ps older than 5 years may be accepted by first contacting the Program Coordinators for permission.  These are:  PTA and HIM.
5. I happened to notice Michele Harrell, contact for our LPN/Mil.Medic/Corpsman/Paramedic program is on intermittent leave.  Therefore, the current contact is Brenda Knopp, the NU Chair, who will answer questions the best that she can.  Students can email her at nursing.program@montgomerycollege.edu
6. Monday Nov. 14 there were 121 attendees at the NU information session!  Might be a record.

Maureen Mirowski, M.S.

P-T faculty Counselor

Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus

PTA Program Updates (Summer 2022)

For students interested in PTA, if room, they can be allowed to take PHTH 101 for 2 credits (at least for Summer II), before being accepted. 

The contact is anniet.glenn@montgomerycollege.edu 

Nancy Greenawald is retiring - Anniet Glenn is our contact currently.

Change for RADT in terms of minimum requirements and grade

 

From: Aehle, Rose M <rose.aehle@montgomerycollege.edu>
Sent: Monday, October 11, 2021 3:54 PM
To: Mirowski, Maureen A <maureen.mirowski@montgomerycollege.edu>
Subject: RE: Change for RADT in terms of minimum requirements and grade

 

For RADT minimum courses to apply, students must earn a C or better.

 

It will show up on the new HS application which is not yet posted. Does NOT apply to priority courses.

 

Also RADT will begin summer classes June 6.

 

DMS will start right after memorial day.

 

This is because the RADT classes are 10 weeks in the summer and DMS is 8 weeks.

 

HIM Career Info & HS Info Sessions

I believe I may have mentioned this 10,000 years ago when I began my focus on MC’s currently 6 health science programs:  This is a super link to the many and varied kinds of jobs in the HIM field and so much more.

Type Ahima in google, click on Career Tools, then CareerMap.  Hover over any dot or triangle for a title, then click for extensive info re:  Education and training, responsibilities, skills required, salary links, it’s fantastic.  Try it out!  Wish everyone had one J  Note the inner circle contains entry level jobs, i.e. with Pre-Med. Coder Certificate, where many of our students would begin.  It expands out to Mid, Advanced and Master levels with more certifications. 

Speaking of, more for your free time ( ha haaa ):  Since information sessions are all via zoom, anyone can join to hear each Program Coordinator’s ( PC’s ) info for an hour or so.  You will then know what is being ‘advised’ to students, generally speaking.  Students will always want specific advising and this is not what the sessions are designed to do, or we’d be there until midnight.  With the chat, and for most, i.e. huge nursing program, we stay to answer as many q’s as possible before quitting for dinner!

If able, I attend all six ( the seventh, Polysomnography, suspended ) giving brief info, introducing myself.  Some are completely self-sufficient, and I stay 15-30 minutes.  Sometimes ( hoping ) each PC or Clinical Coordinator disperses their info with my previous input added to their arsenals.  In some cases, I am completely involved for 1.5 -2 hours, which is fine too.  The TEAS staff are also part of the sessions.  They are called Learning Skills Support Specialists.  Students can email them directly at lsss@montgomerycollege.edu and find their workshops in our website ( just type TEAS ). 

Maureen Mirowski M.S. ( she, her, hers )

Montgomery College

Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus

Adjunct Counseling Faculty

Office:  240-567-5810

CF-151 H

Health Science Admissions - Points System

• Question: What was cutoff score for students in the fall 2020 admit group?
  
  Marjorie Davis Response: The Fall 2020 cut off score for nursing was 21.

• Question: How are the points added up to reach the max?  
  
  Marjorie Davis Response: The points for the number of attempts to pass minimum and priority courses are calculated individually for each course. 

• Question:   I promised I’d get an answer for a student regarding the following question.  She has completed BIOL150, 212, 213 and 210.  She also completed CHEM131.  Will CHEM131 be included in the science course GPA or is it only based on the science courses required for admission?

  Marjorie Davis Response:  The science courses that are required for admissions into the program are the only courses used to calculate science GPA. For example, Nursing only includes BIOL212 and BIOL213 - GPA calculation does not include BIOL150 or 210.

• Question: The nursing admissions requirements has a minimum GPA of 2.5 based on the last 24 credits - is that credits earned or credits taken? For example, if the student took BIOL 213 during the summer and failed it and then re-took the class in the spring semester, would both of those grades be calculated in the GPA of the last 24 credits?  What if the student earned a D the first time and then re-took the class? 

  Marjorie Davis Response: It’s credits earned. We do not use a course if it’s excluded from the student’s GPA. I cannot give you a typical cut off score because this depends on the applicant pool.

• Question: I’m working with a student that is set to complete her GS-STEM degree this spring. Should see expect to be awarded 2 points in the prior educational experience since the degree has not been awarded, but she has been enrolled in 6-8 hours/semester consistently over the past 24 credits?
  
  Marjorie Davis Response:  The degree needs to be awarded for students to get points for the prior degree. If her graduation application is still pending when the HS applications are being processed, then she will not get points for the prior degree.

• Question: TEAS Points

One more point of clarification on TEAS:

 Regardless of the actual score, points are awarded based on the preparedness level.  In other words, if one student receives an exemplary level with higher scores and another student earns lower scores, but still achieves the exemplary level – both students will be awarded the same 4 points.  

See:  https://www.kaptest.com/study/teas/whats-a-good-teas-score/

These scores are classified by ATI as “Exemplary.”

·          TEAS Composite score: 90.7% – 100%

·          Reading: 90.7% – 100%

·          Math: 90.7% – 100%

·          Science: 90.7% – 100%

·          English: 90.7% – 100%

 

These scores are usually above the national mean and are classified by ATI as “Advanced.”

·          TEAS Composite score: 78% – 90%

·          Reading: 78% – 90%

·          Math: 78% – 90%

·          Science: 78% – 90%

·          English: 78% – 90%

 

These scores will usually put you right around the national average and are classified by ATI as “Proficient.”

·          TEAS Composite score: 58.7% – 77.3%

·          Reading: 58.7% – 77.3%

·          Math: 58.7% – 77.3%

·          Science: 58.7% – 77.3%

·          English: 58.7% – 77.3%

Pre-Health Science Advising Notes

Greetings all,

Here it is more helpful information for you as you advise Pre-Health Science students:

1.       Unclear as to when it began, perhaps within 2 years, Marjorie Davis will accept the second AP, Biology 213, if taken within the last five years, in lieu of Biology 228.  This is why in my outgoing email response, I state that students, may or may not, have to take Biology 228.

2.       If you are advising students at UDC/UDCC, be sure to indicate it is the General Microbiology that transfers, not Clinical Microbiology.

3.       As a reminder, students may take any Physics class, with or without lab, for our DMS program.  The one listed is PHYS 103.

4.       In addition, it isn't clear from the DMS advising sheet that HINM 120 can be taken before being accepted into the program.  Once students  have completed HINM 115, the prereq, they may seek permission to register by emailing the professor teaching the course or HINM coordinator, Corinne Smith.

5.       For the HIM degree, note students can take four HINM courses before being accepted into the program:  HINM 115, 116, 120 and 150.  For both HINM 120 and 150, both Biology 130/131 ( or Biology 212 ) and HINM 115 are the prereqs.

Things I thought you should know for today,

Maureen 

Maureen Mirowski M.S.

Montgomery College

Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus

Adjunct Counseling Faculty

Office:  240-567-5810

CF-151 H

New?  To begin, go into https://montgomerycollege.edu and see purple bar across top.  See Apply & Register, then Getting Started. Along the same purple bar, see Counseling & Advising, then Meet a Counselor/Advisor.  There you will see our remote options of Ask a Question, Live Chat and our Virtual Assistant, to assist you in making a remote appointment in Starfish if needed.  I am an additional resource focusing on our seven Health Science programs, am less than part time, and not in the Starfish system except peak periods.  For immediate assistance, make a remote appointment with any available counselor and when I am not available. 

Health Sciences Application - Transcripts from Other Schools

Send official transcripts directly to Ivy Devers at ivy.devers@montgomerycollege.edu. According to the Health Sciences application, you must submit official transcripts from all previous institutions that you have attended.

PHYS010 now PHYS103

PHYS 103 - INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS

Basic concepts in physics and their mathematical framework including problem solving techniques, experimental measurements, and simple data analysis. Topics include force, energy, momentum, density, pressure, waves, dimensional analysis, measurement, precision, and estimation; and power, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions.  May not be taken concurrently with MATH 017 or MATH 020 or MATH 045 without appropriate Math assessment score.  Assessment level:  MATH 050.  One hour lecture, two hours laboratory each week.  Formerly PHYS 010.

Hello, yes PHYS 010 has now changed to PHYS 103.

Here is some additional information.

Note: There are no DMS Information Sessions Scheduled for the remainder of the Spring and Summer 2020 Semester. Please read the following information and if you have specific questions you can call and leave a message on the number below or respond to this email with your specific questions. 
Thank you for your interest in the DMS Program at Montgomery College. You will find the information you need below to help you figure out which classes you need to be an eligible candidate for the DMS Program. The pre-reqs to apply to the program are outlined below, completing these pre-reqs would be your first step towards qualifying to eligibility for the DMS program. In addition, attached are the degree requirements for graduation.
Please read all the information and follow the active links for additional information provided below.  If you still have additional questions after reviewing this information and would like to speak to someone regarding the DMS Program, please contact Sharare Jones at 240-567-5563, she would be happy to answer ALL your questions. If you would like me to respond to any questions via email, just respond back to this email with your questions.

The deadline to apply is March 1^st, 2021 for the entering class that begins Summer 2021 and the 2020-21 Health Sciences application will be available Fall 2020.

If you have transcripts from another college you would like evaluated you must first be an MC student and then you can send your transcripts to MC to be evaluated by a transcript specialist in Admission and Records Office. I am not authorized to evaluate transcripts.

The Associates of Applied Science in DMS at MC is an Online-Blended Program and offers three sonography concentrations, General, Echo and Vascular.  All the information you need to get started with DMS is listed below on the following links.

Our webpage at http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/EDU/Department.aspx?id=4948 outlines all three concentrations so that you can get a better idea of what type of ultrasound you would like to study and it also lists our up coming Information Sessions. 

To find out more about what pre-reqs you need to complete in order to meet the admission requirements to apply to the program, visit the MC Enrollment Services  at  http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/edu/department2.aspx?id=20563 and click on the Health Science Application, this will outline ALL the pre-reqs required to apply to the program.  

2021 Eligability Pre-reqs include the following which must be completed by the end of the Fall 2020 semester.

·          ENGL102

·          BIOL212

·          MATH117 or higher

·          PHYS103 or higher

·          TEAS Test: Reading = 70% · Adjusted Individual Total Score = 66%

·          BIOL213: Anatomy and Physiology II* 

Note: *Applicants with BIOL 212 and 213 older than five years of the application date must take BIOL 228 Pathophysiology OR retake BIOL 212 and BIOL 213.

Information on the TEAS test can be found on the TEAS homepage http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/EDU/Department.aspx?id=48096 .

Here is how the pre-reqs are ranked:

Program	Admissions Criteria	Admissions Selection Criteria
Diagnostic Medical Sonography	Minimum Requirements ENGL102/ENGL103 BIOL212** MATH117 or higher PHYS010 or higher TEAS Score (minimum 70%-Reading, AITS-66%) Minimum GPA of 2.5 (based on last 24 credits) Priority Course(s) BIOL213 Additional Information: All minimum requirements must be successfully completed to be considered for admissions. Students who successfully completed MATH110/115/116 prior to fall 2018, can use this course to meet the MATH117 or higher requirement. In the event of a point tie, GPA will be used as the tiebreaker. TEAS scores cannot be older than 2 years. Students should register for TEAS for Nursing. Maximum points that can be awarded=37	Selection for admissions is based on a Point system. Students with the highest points will be admitted first until all seats are filled. TEAS (Reading-70%, AITS-66%) Exemplary – 4 pts Advance – 3 pts Proficient – 2 pts GPA (based on science courses) 4.00 – 4 pts 3.50 to 3.99 – 3 pts 3.00 to 3.49 – 2 pts 2.50 to 2.99 – 1 pts Priority Courses Completed All – 4 pts None – 0 pts Number of attempts to pass minimum requirements and priority courses 1st attempt – 4 pts 2nd attempt – 3 pts 3rd attempt – 2 pts 4th attempt – 1 pts Prior Educational Experience Prior degree – 5 pts 6 – 8 credit hrs /semester – 2 pts 3 – 5 credit hrs/semester – 1 pts (credit hours are based on last 24 credits)

Montgomery College has Advising Worksheets for each sonography concentration. You can download these Worksheets to better help you understand what the requirements are to graduate with a degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

Visit the 2019-20 Advising Worksheet webpage http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/EDU/plain.aspx?id=15000 and download the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Advising Worksheet(s).

DMS Information Packets can be downloaded from our website from the DMS Information Sessions Webpage http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/EDU/Department.aspx?id=5536  

If you would like to speak to someone regarding the DMS Program, please contact Sharare Jones at 240-567-5563, she would be happy to answer your questions.

Regards,

Dr. Zanin