WHO WE ARE
We are thrilled to reintroduce you to Smith Chason College. Over 20 years ago, our founders, Dr. Neville Smith, M.D., and Myra Chason, BS, BSN, RDMS had a dream of providing the best healthcare education to aspiring healthcare workers who wanted to make an impact on their community. That dream has fueled our growth over the years, from a small ultrasound college in Beverly Hills to four beautiful campuses across the west coast, over 10 medical imaging and nursing degree and diploma programs, and over 1,500 active students and 5,000 plus alumni.
Our family has grown together. Formerly West Coast Ultrasound Institute (WCUI), Smith Chason College has evolved into a new, but familiar, name. We continue to meet our mission of turning our students’ passion into real skills and knowledge by growing our team and our programs to meet our founders’ original goals.
Our experienced instructors are educating the next generation of sonographers, and MRI technologists under our WCUI School of Medical Imaging, and the next registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, and licensed practical nurses under our Smith Chason School of Nursing. Together, our supportive Smith Chason College faculty and staff will be here to guide our medical imaging and nursing students on their journey to success.
We will continue to provide the same education you come to expect from WCUI and Smith Chason School of Nursing, and as always, we will continue to support our students’ goals so you can enter or return to the evolving workforce with confidence.
Today, we celebrate this growth and the legacy of our founders and welcome you to the Smith Chason College legacy.
About the Smith Chason College School of Nursing
Smith Chason College is the parent college with two specialized colleges underneath, WCUI School of Medical Imaging and Smith Chason School of Nursing.
This allows the educators at each of the colleges to curate specialized educational programs and environments that reflect their own experiences. Our School of Nursing offers degree and diploma programs that help prepare students for a profession in nursing as an RN, LVN, and LPN.
Smith Chason School of Nursing is built on the foundation of drive and compassion. Together we are a team of nurses that have experienced the highs and lows of the nursing field because we have been there. We recognize what it takes to help you thrive in this career and profession and are committed to your success.
Our instructors stay after hours to assist our student’s needs, and our Director of Nursing’s office doors are always open. Our team of faculty, staff, and leadership at Smith Chason provide a culture of care that mirrors how you treat your patients, with respect and genuine support. Just as you empower your patients, we are here to help you take charge of your education and your nursing career.
Our programs are offered at three beautiful and convenient campuses in Los Angeles, California, Ontario, California, and Phoenix, Arizona. Each program at our campuses is approved by their regional board of nursing and prepares graduates to sit for their respective NCLEX exams.
Our goal is to be a true partner in your success, from enrollment to graduation and beyond as you become a respected, knowledgeable leader in the field of healthcare.
Through a complete all-inclusive partnership with ATI, a nationally recognized product that has been proven to increase NCLEX pass rates, fully developed nursing skills and simulation labs with the latest High Fidelity Simulation mannikins and a variety of equipment that nurses use daily to increase our student’s confidence for their in-person clinical rotations, alongside supportive faculty and staff, we are here to empower you on your journey. At Smith Chason School of Nursing, we provide you with an educational experience crafted by nurses for nurses.
About the Smith Chason College WCUI School of Medical Imaging
Our WCUI School of Medical Imaging offers degree and diploma programs that help prepare students for entry-level careers in sonography and MRI. WCUI is built on the foundation of experience and support. Our medical imaging instructors are field-experienced sonographers and technologists who understand your career ambitions because we have experienced them ourselves. We believe you are the future of healthcare, and we take your passion and turn it into the skills, knowledge, and confidence you need to launch a successful career.
Our degree programs span various specialties in medical imaging to help our students find their chosen path that matches their interests, including cardiovascular sonography, diagnostic medical sonography, and magnetic resonance imaging. In addition, our diploma programs assist current MRI technologists, X-ray technologists, and echocardiographers to earn additional education in order to help them earn their registries. Graduates of our programs are eligible to sit for their registry exams including, SPI, CCI, NCCT, ARRT, ARMRIT, and ARDMS. We strongly recommend our students obtain their certifications to provide them with the best knowledge and opportunities when entering the medical imaging field. Our students receive registry reviews and assistance with the registry exam process to assist them in one of the most important parts of their education, certification.
Our WCUI School of Medical Imaging offers the following programs:
- Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography – 36 months
- Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonography – 36 months
- Academic Associate of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography – 21 months
- Academic Associate of Science in Cardiovascular Sonography – 21 months
- Academic Associate of Science in Magnetic Resonance Imaging – 21 months
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Diploma-Short – 9 months
- Pediatric Cardiac Ultrasound and Congenital Heart Disease – 9 months
Learn more at wcui.edu
Our Founders
In Memory of Dr. Neville Smith
Dr. Neville Smith, Board Certified Radiologist, Co-Founder of Smith Chason | WCUI, & Medical Director of Ultrasound Institute Medical Group (UIMG)
Dr. Smith was dedicated to enhancing quality education in the art and science of Medical Sonography and MRI. We honor his memory and his contributions to Smith Chason in maintaining quality education, curriculum innovation, and an effective course of clinical rotations. Dr. Smith also created an affordable ultrasound clinic for serving the less fortunate members of the Los Angeles area. Smith Chason College is in perpetual gratitude for having been a part of his vision which still is viable today. Although we no longer have the pleasure of having a personal relationship with him, we continue to admire the footprints he left behind. His legacy is carried on through the students and staff that knew and loved him and all of those who have followed.
Myra, a nurse for over 30 years, and Dr. Neville Smith, a board-certified radiologist who worked alongside dedicated nurses throughout his career, knew their dream of providing quality healthcare education would not be complete without the creation of a nursing school.
Dr. Neville Smith and Myra Chason foresaw the importance of the nursing profession and understood the educational and mindful support nurses need to succeed. Our name and the continuous expansion of our nursing programs allow us to honor our founder’s legacy and match the drive and ambitions of our nursing students and alumni looking to advance their nursing education. We look forward to continuing to adapt and expand our nursing programs so you can be confident in your profession.
HANDS-ON, HYBRID EDUCATION
Today our programs combine online didactic courses with in-person nursing labs to provide our students with the hands-on instruction and experience they need to enter the healthcare community with confidence. Our students have access to various High Fidelity Simulation Manikins and nursing equipment in our on-campus nursing labs. Students will then complete their program with a clinical rotation in a hospital or imaging center to continue to build their knowledge and skills.
ACCREDITATION
Smith Chason College is nationally accredited by ACCSC, the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. We have been an ACCSC-accredited school since 2001. Please view a full list of our approvals on our Admissions page.
OUR PROGRAMS
Our Smith Chason School of Nursing offers the following programs:
- Associate Degree in Nursing (RN) – Available only at our Los Angeles Campus
- Vocational Nursing (LVN) – Available only at our Los Angeles and Ontario Campus
- Practical Nursing (LPN) – Available only at our Phoenix Campus
OUR PURPOSE
To provide high-quality nursing education for students of all backgrounds, provide genuine support in and outside of the classroom throughout their journey, and fill the growing job market with confident, knowledgeable nursing professionals.
OUR MISSION
The mission of Smith Chason College is to transform our healthcare communities as we transform the lives of our students. We nourish students’ passion to provide excellent, compassionate, inclusive, and equitable patient care. The central focus of Smith Chason College is to promote and enhance student learning, foster personal achievement, and develop professional competence.
Our Faculty
Julie Jordan, MSN/Ed, PHN, RN
Director of Associate Degree in Nursing
Julie Jordan has seen her professional life through many quarters and capacities of practice. With a bachelor’s degree in Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing Education, and over 20 years of experience in teaching and practice, she is well equipped to lead Smith Chason’s School of Nursing as the Academic Dean. Julie holds expertise in advanced cardiac and pediatric life support skills, and essential life support services. She is well versed in nursing simulation and integration of theory into practice. Julie has travelled across many fields of healthcare within the past two decades. Along the way, she has also acquired a wide range of leadership and management skills. With these skills, Julie has contributed to the creation of the curriculum and standards for the brand-new Associate Degree in Nursing program (ADN) program at our Los Angeles campus. She has made it a priority to ensure that each curriculum and training program emphasizes effective learning and practice.
Alicia Lamour, MSN-Ed, RN
Director of Vocational Nursing - Los Angeles & Ontario Campus
“I enjoy working with students and helping them succeed in their goal of becoming a nurse. I am very excited to be a part of a great organization with the same goals.” Alicia Lamour, originally from New Jersey, moved to California 13 years ago to pursue a career as a travel nurse. She received her BSN from Rutgers University and an MSN from Phoenix University. Lamour has a wide range of nursing experience including Med-Surg, Telemetry, Heart Failure, Mental Health, and Performance Improvement. After being a nurse for 18 years, Lamour found a passion for Nursing Education. She will be a great addition to the Vocational Nursing program.