109 ACADEMICS Harding is Where the Heart is The College of Allied Health introduces a new graduate degree. program will have a huge advantage finding a job in this field. It is a great industry to join with a lot of opportunities for growth. Dr. Turley took a leap to create this program, and because of it many people’s lives will change for the better.” The College of Allied Health estimated that approximately 30 students would complete the program each year. Turley said the program helped students rise above peers from other colleges by providing classes that taught social skills and bedside manners combined with the technical skills. He said the Harding atmosphere of genuine kindness helped students in their professional lives. Tristan Pendergrass, assistant professor of CFIT, was an essential part of how CFIT came to Harding, Turley said. Pendergrass, who was certified by the International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners in three separate areas, was estimated by Turley to be one in 10 men worldwide who earned that certification. “This is such a unique field where students can have such a pronounced impact on patients’ lives,” Pendergrass said. “It’s such a special opportunity to be in a unique, valued, consultative role that has such an impact on the leading edge of technology.” Howell and Witt said Dr. Turley had a great influence on their college experience and work life beyond. “Dr. Turley was smart and brought in the best of the best to help him create this new masters’ program,” Witt said. “Tristan Pendergrass [was] one of the best educators in the business. Harding will have a very bright future ahead of them with the CFIT program.” Written by: Lauren Simmons Harding College of Allied Health created the first nationwide cardiac function & interventional technology (CFIT) graduate degree, which gave students hands-on learning experience in the cardiac field. Dr. Ken Turley, director and professor of CFIT, said the program quickly developed over the summer and grew from the moment the idea was shared. “Things just fell into place so quickly,” Turley said. “Lots of doors opened at just the right time for this program to develop.” The idea started in 2020 when students in the Exercise Science Club met on a Zoom call and talked about their desire to stay at Harding and complete a degree in cardiac technology. Emma Witt and Belle Howell, both 2018 Harding graduates, were two students who helped brainstorm ideas of what the program could be. “It was amazing to see the interest and enthusiasm for this growing field,” Howell said. “In fall 2021, Dr. Turley let us know about the beginnings of CFIT and that our Zoom call sparked his interest to help educate more students and meet the demand for this industry.” The demand for jobs in the Arkansas area were consistently high, Turley said. Cardiac technology companies sought around 400 Arkansas graduates in this field in the past year, according to Turley. This $70 billion global industry typically provided a 100% employment rate as soon as the companies met Harding students. “That is a huge deal,” Witt said. “The cardiac ablation and medical device field is massive and creating jobs left and right. Students who attend this
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