UNLV Radiography Program Celebrated 65th Anniversary
The program has trained 2,000 radiologic technologists to meet medical workforce needs in Clark County.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Nursing Jobs
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The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) radiography program marked 65 years of training local healthcare professionals. Since its inception in 1961, the program has graduated approximately 2,000 students who now serve the Southern Nevada medical community.
Why it matters
The program was originally established to address a persistent shortage of X-ray technicians in Clark County. It remains a vital pipeline for local hospitals, ensuring a steady supply of qualified imaging professionals to support regional health services.
The program maintains a 100% five-year job placement rate for its graduates, who typically number about 26 per class. In 2024, Nevada reported 1,530 active radiologic technologists.
The players
UNLV
This is a public research university located in Las Vegas that serves as the primary provider of higher education for the Southern Nevada region.
Nevada Board of Regents
This governing body holds the authority to approve academic programs and oversee administrative policies across the Nevada System of Higher Education.
Heidi Shelton
She serves as the program director for the UNLV radiography department and is an alumna of the university.
Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center
As a major medical facility in Las Vegas, this hospital serves as a key clinical training ground for radiography students.
The details
Founded by exploiting a faculty bylaw for approval, the program expanded from a two-year certificate course to a comprehensive curriculum requiring intensive clinical rotations at facilities like Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center. Graduates provide essential support to local imaging departments, which often handle high volumes of diagnostic patient exams.
Timeline
Local radiologists first proposed the training initiative in 1960.
The Nevada Board of Regents officially approved the program on September 9, 1961.
Program director Heidi Shelton attended UNLV in 2003.
Nevada employment data for radiologic technologists was recorded in 2024.
The program reached its 65th anniversary milestone in September 2026.
Market Landscape
The program was established by utilizing the Nevada System of Higher Education faculty bylaws, a process that allowed it to bypass traditional administrative delays. This move cemented the university's role as the primary engine for medical staffing in a region facing chronic shortages of specialized healthcare workers.
Local patients benefit from the program because it ensures that regional hospitals remain fully staffed with trained imaging technicians. Residents interested in healthcare careers have a reliable pathway to employment that offers a 100% job placement rate upon graduation.
The takeaway
The sustained success of this program demonstrates the impact of targeted academic training on solving regional labor shortages. Aspiring healthcare workers should prioritize programs that maintain strong clinical partnerships with major medical centers to ensure immediate career readiness.
Further reading
Learn more about local clinical education trends in our Nursing Jobs section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Las Vegas Sun.
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