Sonographic equipment uses sound waves to generate images of human tissues, much as sonar uses sound waves to locate ships. The technician decides which images a physician needs to see and generally attaches a written report to provide diagnostic guidance. Aside from sonography's well-known use in obstetrics, it's used in many other areas of specialization. For example, cardiac sonography examines the health of heart tissue, oncological sonography looks at tumors, breast sonography complements mammography and gynecological sonography examines women's reproductive systems.
Miami is one of Dade Medical College's four Florida campuses. The school offers a variety of medical-related programs, including medical diagnostic sonography and diagnostic cardiac sonography. Dade offers inexpensive ultrasound imaging to the community, both as a service and as an opportunity for its students to obtain practical experience in the field.
ATI's Miami location is one of 10 campuses in the chain, which spans Florida, Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. It consists of a main campus and a satellite College of Health. The College of Health has a diagnostic ultrasound technology program that covers general diagnostic sonography as well as the obstetric, cardiac and abdominal specializations.
Professional Training Centers is a private vocational school that offers programs in a variety of medical specializations. Its diagnostic medical sonography program awards associate's degrees and trains students in a variety of specializations, including abdominal, obstetric and gynecological sonography.