Equipment donation to EACPHS' RTT program supports hands-on learning, student success

The radiation therapy technology (RTT) program within Wayne State's Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (EACPHS) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. For half a century, the program has offered students a world-class education in a vital field. It prepares Warriors to treat cancer, support patients, and operate complex machinery - work that blends math, science, and psychology.

In addition to its 50th anniversary, the RTT program is also celebrating an impactful donation of training equipment and supplies from Heath, Ohio-based Klarity Medical Products. The donation, secured in collaboration with the Division of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (DEED), brings roughly $12,700 in new training equipment to the RTT program that will upgrade its current stock and give Wayne State students hands-on experience that will help them become better, more prepared professionals. The donated equipment includes vacuum bags, cushions, masks, indexing bars, and a supine breast board system.

"The RTT program prepares students to become compassionate, highly skilled radiation therapists through a combination of coursework, laboratory training, and clinical education," said program director Jeannetta Greer, B.S. '88, M.S. '02. "We are truly grateful for Klarity's generosity and support, as it directly contributes to student success and the future of patient-centered cancer care. Having access to authentic supplies enhances realism, builds confidence, and supports competency-based learning."

The Klarity-Wayne State connection grew after Greer met Klarity senior sales coordinator Regina Baker at the annual meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) last year in San Francisco. There, the two discussed Klarity's legacy of donating to colleges and universities in line with their company slogan, "Klarity Cares," and the impact such a donation could have at Wayne State.

"At the end of every year, we have thousands of dollars of products and equipment that we either can't sell or don't need anymore - but this stuff can still play an immense role in education and practice," Baker said. "Connecting with schools and getting this equipment in students' hands is just one of the many ways Klarity embodies our mission."

The donated supplies from Klarity will be incorporated into the RTT program's simulation and lab-based training, Greer said. It will allow students to practice essential clinical skills such as patient positioning, immobilization techniques, treatment setup, and safety procedures in a controlled environment before working with real-world patients.

Greer said it will make an immediate, tangible impact on her and the RTT program's faculty, helping them deliver on the program's mission, foster student success, and broaden their horizons.

"A donation like this has a significant impact on both our program and our students. On the one hand, it ensures students are trained using the same types of materials they will encounter in clinical practice, better preparing them for safe and effective patient care," she said. "Beyond that, donations help reduce financial barriers for students and allow the program to allocate resources toward expanding educational opportunities."

"Klarity's contribution to the RTT program exemplifies one of the many unique ways our division engages with corporate and community partners to support student success," said DEED corporate engagement officer Julia Andridge, who worked with the Klarity team to secure its donation. "In-kind equipment donations and anything that supports hands-on training is an excellent way for partners to connect with future industry professionals and showcase their commitment to preparing students for their careers."

But, like all donations, the positive impact is felt not just on the receiver's end, but on the giver's end, too.

"When you're learning, we all know there's a difference between being told something and getting hands-on practice," Baker said. "That's what makes this part of my job great: I get to play a role in providing students with what they need to learn and thrive in their careers once they graduate. Seeing the impact on students and their excitement firsthand is so rewarding not just in my role at Klarity but as an individual."

Klarity's donation is a fitting way to celebrate the RTT program's 50th anniversary, and it demonstrates how Wayne State's connections with industry partners supports premier RTT education and student success.

"Klarity's support is just another way we're helping students develop a strong foundation in patient care, radiation safety, treatment delivery, and quality assurance - while also providing them with essential hands-on experience that mirrors real-world clinical environments," she said. "Here is to another 50 years of life-changing education."

Learn more about Wayne State's radiation therapy technology program, EACPHS, DEED, and Klarity.

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