LEWISTON — Students from the Mercy School of Radiologic Technology have begun their studies at the Central Maine Medical Center College of Nursing and Health Professions.

The college admitted students from the Portland hospital’s program into the Clark F. Miller School of Radiologic Technology in Lewiston earlier this summer. Mercy Hospital announced in July that it was transitioning its School of Radiology to CMMC’s program for the fall semester.

Students from the Mercy school are continuing their clinical rotations three days a week at Mercy Hospital, but are attending classes in Lewiston two days a week. The students are not incurring additional educational expenses as a result of the changes.

“The Miller School has the infrastructure to provide educational support, financial aid assistance, job placement services and the other resources. Mercy’s program was just too small in scope to duplicate that kind of infrastructure support,” said Diane Atwood from public relations at Mercy Hospital.

“This decision to transition the Mercy school wasn’t based on the quality of the school’s program; in fact, the school is very well respected. It was a decision based on how best to serve the students in the long-term in a financially sustainable manner,” Atwood.

First-year students making the transition will earn an associate degree from the CMMC program. Second-year students will be awarded certificates of completion. The Mercy school was a certificate program, whereas CMMC’s program offers an associate degree.

Next year, the Miller School will accept 20 students into its radiologic technology program. The group will be divided into a Mercy Division completing its clinical rotations at Mercy Hospital and its affiliates, and a CMMC Division completing its clinical rotations at CMMC, Central Maine Orthopaedics, Bridgton Hospital, Franklin Memorial Hospital and Rumford Hospital.

Individuals who are interested in pursuing an education in radiologic technology are encouraged to visit the college website, www.cmmccollege.edu, or call the admissions office at 795-2649.