UAMS Celebrates Academic Excellence at 2026 Lambda Nu Induction
| The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Health Professions on Feb. 6 honored a new cohort of students during the 2026 induction ceremony for the Lambda Nu National Honor Society.
The event recognized 49 students from the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS), Nuclear Medicine Imaging Sciences (NMIS), and Radiologic and Imaging Sciences (RIS) programs for their academic rigor and commitment to the field. The number of students inducted set another new precedent, surpassing by two last year’s record-breaking total.
Since taking over as chapter advisor in 2019, Megan Ott, MHA, RDMS, RVT , has focused on bridging the gap between campuses and programs. Ott is clinical coordinator and assistant professor in the college’s Department of Imaging and Radiation Sciences.
The ceremony highlighted not just academic marks but also the collective impact these students have made through community service. In the past year alone, students raised $1,000 for the Pulaski County Humane Society and organized food and toy drives for the UAMS Stocked and Ready Food Pantry and Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
“It’s my personal belief, and I would think that many of us would agree here, that no single imaging profession alone can achieve positive patient outcomes by themselves,” Ott said. “Each discipline represented here today plays a vital role in that patient care process. And in case anyone didn’t know, I think we’re kind of a big deal in diagnostic imaging because our team works together constantly to provide diagnostic care that saves lives.”
To be eligible for the Arkansas Chi Chapter of Lambda Nu, students must maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA. However, the speakers noted that the honor extends far beyond a grade point average. The college’s Dean Susan Long, Ed.D., addressed the inductees, reminding them that their new status carries a professional weight.
“It’s our hope that you see this honor as both a recognition and a responsibility, that it further ignites your commitment to lead among your peers, to serve with integrity, and to be a strong advocate for your profession,” Long said. “We’re very proud of you, and we look forward to the impact that you’ll have on your professions.”
The ceremony concluded with a reflection on the symbols of the profession. The Lambda Nu pin — featuring maroon for radiation sciences, forest green for health professions, and gold for honor — serves as a reminder of the “inverse relationship and delicate balance” between technology and human care.
Reflecting on the daily work of the inductees, Ott said, “We do not simply push buttons, wave wands, or move patients from place to place. We gather critical data for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic interventions. We earn the trust of our patients, and we rely on their cooperation to ensure the highest quality images while also minimizing harm. What we practice every day in our clinical settings is both an art and a science.”