Courses and Schedule

What do you stand for? What does your company stand for? Are your values clear? Are they obvious to customers, staff, and the community? Is your company optimally positioned and differentiated by the consistent application of your vision and core values?

Most leaders and organizations are moving at such a rapid pace that taking a step back to think about these things seems like a luxury when, in fact, it couldn't be more crucial. It doesn't matter where your company and your industry stands in the growth cycle. Focusing on who you are and what you stand for is the most critical thing you can do.

Mike Staver

Objectives

• Identify and apply their core values to their leadership.
• Learn how to align their behavior with what they say they believe.
• Understand how to be powerfully influential regardless of level of authority.
• Discuss how to build accountability and improve efficiency.
• Understand how to Build a High-Performance Culture.

This course discusses and describes various pathologic conditions seen in computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging and other advanced imaging modalities. The speaker will review the associated anatomical structures, pathological features and the basics of cross-sectional anatomy seen on CT and MR imaging. Attendees will learn about clinical correlates, including physical signs and symptoms, clinical laboratory values and comparative imaging studies.

Gregory Katsaros, D.C., DAAPM

Objectives

• Describe basic CT and MR imaging cross-sectional anatomy of the chest, abdomen and areas of the musculoskeletal system.
• Discuss pathologic conditions of the chest, abdomen and musculoskeletal system.
• Correlate imaging, physical signs and symptoms, and clinical laboratory values for various pathological conditions.

Employee burnout has become a pressing concern in medical imaging. The demand for imaging services has surged, driven by population growth, aging demographics and advances in medical technology. Consequently, medical imaging departments are grappling with staff shortages and heightened patient throughput, exerting immense pressure on radiologic technologists and support staff. Employee burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment, has emerged as a pervasive consequence of these challenges. Burnout not only negatively affects staff well-being but also compromises patient care quality and operational efficiency. This session will explore the multifaceted challenge of reducing employee burnout in medical imaging departments, highlight strategies to mitigate burnout’s detrimental effects, and underscore the significance of addressing burnout holistically with individual and organizational interventions.

Vaughn Eason, D.B.A., R.T.(R), CRA

Objectives

• Identify common causes of burnout in medical imaging departments.
• Recognize signs and symptoms of burnout.
• Learn strategies for addressing burnout.
• Identify solutions for improving workplace culture and patient throughput in medical imaging.

Often, correlative imaging examinations are performed to provide greater confidence in the overall accuracy of imaging findings. The technologist must be diligent and advocate for the patient by imaging wisely and providing a detailed patient history and correlative imaging information to the radiologist to ensure an optimal patient outcome.

Technologists can aid the radiologist in diagnosis through review of prior relevant examinations to further characterize questionable findings. This session will review case studies and provide examples of how an adequate patient history and prior review of correlative imaging can improve the standard of patient care.

Jenna Laquerre, B.S., R.T.(R), RDMS (AB, OB/GYN, PS, BR), RVT

Objectives

• Review prior imaging examinations to enhance further characterization of atypical findings.
• Explore how to provide an adequate medical history relevant to the ordered examination.
• Demonstrate how to provide imaging findings to the radiologist.
• Describe how to advocate for patients to minimize patient harm, unnecessary examinations and health care expenditure.
• Discuss case studies of how adequate patient history and imaging review may enhance the overall patient outcome.

The integration of informatics and imaging significantly impacts how radiologic technologists care for patients. This course provides an overview of artificial intelligence and insights into how AI is impacting radiology and radiologic technologists. Attendees will learn why it is imperative to understand informatics applications and AI’s role and function in health care’s daily operations. The speaker will discuss current innovations and forthcoming applications of informatics and AI, including looking at the future of informatics and its impact on patient-centered care.

Kori Stewart, Ph.D., R.T.(R)(CT), CIIP

Objectives

• Define clinical informatics and imaging informatics.
• Clearly interpret informatics’ impact on radiology.
• Define and differentiate between artificial intelligence and machine learning in radiology.
• Develop a deeper understanding of the use of AI in radiology.
• Identify the need for understanding informatics and AI applications and their roles in radiology.
• Discuss current and future applications of informatics and AI in medical imaging.

This course offers certification and registration candidates a better understanding of the purpose and structure of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. The speaker will discuss obtaining and maintaining ARRT certification and registration to help attendees understand the Equation for Excellence. Attendees will also learn about the resources available to help them interact successfully with the ARRT.

Beth Weber, M.P.H., R.T.(R), RDMS, CRA, FASRT

Objectives

• Describe the mission of the ARRT and state its Equation for Excellence.
• List valuable resource documents available to students.
• Summarize the purpose of continuing education.
• Discuss resources and opportunities to interact with the ARRT.

This session explores the need for interprofessional educational activities between medical team members, discusses the need to work together to achieve continuity of care and highlights why knowledge of each discipline’s scope of practice provides a new level of trust and respect. Attendees will learn how interprofessional simulations are created, planned and executed, and about the importance of holding debriefing sessions after simulations. The speaker will describe simulations in which her university currently participates.

Jennifer Thompson, Ed.D., R.T.(R)(QM)

Objectives

• Describe the requirements for compliance with the Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice’s simulation-enhanced interprofessional education.
• Understand why health professionals need to collaborate effectively with other disciplines to assess, plan, provide and review care that optimizes health outcomes for patients and ensures continuity of care.
• Demonstrate a belief in the need for simulation-enhanced interprofessional education in your department.

This course reviews obstetrical ultrasound techniques and helps attendees gain an understanding of maternal and fetal evaluation through the trimesters. Sonographer awareness of ultrasound findings aids in radiologist diagnosis. This session will guide attendees through normal maternal and fetal anatomy vs. common pathologies encountered during sonographic evaluation. The speaker will discuss early fetal measurements used to calculate an estimated due date, use of M-mode for fetal heart rate, calculation of an estimated fetal weight, the amniotic fluid index, how to determine fetal presentation and placental position, and how to perform a biophysical profile and fetal anatomical survey with cardiac views.

Jenna Laquerre, B.S., R.T.(R), RDMS (AB, OB/GYN, PS, BR), RVT

Objectives

• Recognize sonographic landmarks in the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
• Learn sonographic protocols for obstetrical ultrasound focused on a singleton pregnancy.
• Discuss cardiac views and use of M-mode in obtaining fetal heart rate.
• Review common abnormalities encountered during obstetric ultrasound.
• Describe how to present sonographic findings to the radiologist for diagnosis.

This course expands attendees’ understanding of breast health and of the challenges faced by patients with diverse backgrounds. The session will discuss the role of the patient navigator in caring for a patient with breast disease. The speaker will also introduce special challenges and considerations for when a health care professional becomes a breast cancer patient.

Alicia Giaimo, M.H.S., M.B.A.-H.C.M., R.T.(R)(M)(BD)

Objectives

• Explore general knowledge of breast health.
• Discuss the role of the breast patient navigator.
• Describe barriers to care for patients with diverse demographics.
• Understand care of the health care professional as breast cancer patient.

This course enhances attendees’ knowledge of cardiac catheterization as an imaging modality and explains the role and responsibilities of radiologic technologists in a cardiac catheterization lab. Attendees will gain understanding of heart anatomy and physiology, coronary circulation, coronary artery disease, and cardiac catheterization as an imaging modality in the prevention, detection and treatment of CAD and other heart diseases and abnormalities. The speaker will describe the cath lab setting and some of the most common procedures performed in the cath lab.

Pedro D. Lopez, M.A., R.T.(R)(CT)

Objectives

• Understand cardiac catheterization as an imaging modality.
• Review heart anatomy and physiology and coronary circulation.
• Discuss coronary artery disease, including symptoms and complications and the use of cardiac catheterization in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of CAD and other heart diseases and abnormalities.
• Describe the cath lab setting and some of the most common procedures performed in the lab.
• Explain the role and responsibilities of a radiologic technologist in a cath lab.

Career development is a crucial aspect of professional growth, enabling individuals to seize opportunities for advancement by staying attuned to shifts in leadership and industry roles. In this course, attendees will explore the significance of professional advocacy as a powerful tool for influencing policies and standards within the medical imaging and radiation therapy community.

The speakers will explore strategies and considerations involved in planning for career progression and highlight the importance of professional advocacy in amplifying one's voice and perspective to a broader audience, including policymakers and other parties of interest.

This course identifies methods of career development and also underscores the pivotal role of professional advocacy in shaping the future of the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession.

ASRT President Brandon Smith, M.B.A., M.S.R.S., R.T.(R)(VI), CIIP

Craig St. George, M.S., R.T.(R)(VI)

Objectives

Career development

• Identify the demographic shift of R.T.s geographically and generationally.
• Explain the importance of preparing students for leadership roles within the profession.
• Describe career planning concepts.

Professional advocacy

• Illustrate why professional advocacy is important.
• Highlight the importance of being involved with advocating for your profession.
• Identify ways of getting off the sideline and getting involved.

Understanding the pathology of spinal disc herniation helps computed tomography technologists become more knowledgeable and conversant with ordering doctors, radiologists and patients who receive a dual-energy CT scan for this pathology. This course will enhance attendees’ knowledge of spinal disc herniations and discuss the nuances of the diagnosis and care of patients with this pathology. The speaker will explain why he predicts dual-energy CT will be selected instead of conventional magnetic resonance imaging in certain circumstances and why it is going to grow in use exponentially in the near future.

Christopher Stuart, D.C., R.T.(R)(CT)

Objectives

• Review the pathology of spinal disc herniation on a professional level.
• Describe different treatment approaches patients with spinal disc herniation receive.
• Understand the differences on a topical level of the physics of MR and dual-energy CT.
• Explain the anatomy of the spinal disc on MR imaging vs. dual-energy CT.
• Discuss the needs of patients who have a spinal disc herniation.

Diagnostic imaging administrators help drive health care excellence and profoundly impact patient outcomes and the overall success of health care facilities. This course examines the pivotal role of diagnostic imaging administrators in ensuring seamless operations within medical imaging departments. The speaker will describe the educational prerequisites, business acumen and emotional intelligence required to excel in this multifaceted role. During the session, attendees will dive into the strategic responsibilities of managing innovative equipment, nurturing a skilled workforce, and enhancing the patient experience. The speaker will discuss how this role ensures compliance with stringent regulations, upholds accreditation standards and contributes to the overarching success of health care institutions. Attendees will learn how diagnostic imaging administrators integrate into the hospital ecosystem and forge essential connections with medical professionals, training programs and the community.

Fredrick Lee II, Ed.D., R.T.(R), CRA, FACHE

Objectives

• List the key responsibilities of a diagnostic imaging administrator in health care administration.
• Describe the educational requirements and professional skills necessary for success in this role.
• Explain the strategic tasks involved in managing diagnostic imaging departments and ensuring compliance.
• Discuss the significance of the diagnostic imaging administrator's role in hospital integration, staff training and community engagement.
• Understand the impact of effective diagnostic imaging administration on patient outcomes and overall health care quality.

Radiology is not just a profession of technology and images; it is a realm where human touch and ethical considerations intersect with cutting-edge science. In the dynamic world of health care, radiologic technologists are tasked with a profound responsibility to provide exceptional patient care while adhering to rigorous practice standards and upholding unwavering ethical principles. This session delves into how to strive for excellence while maintaining a delicate balance of patient-centered care, practice standards and ethical considerations. The speaker will discuss the principles and practices that define radiology as an art and a science and illuminate the path toward a future where exceptional patient care, unwavering ethics and rigorous practice standards are the cornerstones of radiology practice.

Kelli Welch Haynes, Ed.D., R.T.(R), FASRT, FAEIRS

Objectives

• Examine the practice standards and the scope of practice for medical imaging.
• Explore ethical considerations in radiology.
• Investigate the intersection of patient-centered care, standards and ethics.

This session overviews the publishing process for ASRT’s peer-reviewed journals and briefly reviews the author guide. The speakers will also discuss ethical do’s and don’ts of using artificial intelligence large language models, such as ChatGPT and other generative AI models, in writing. Additionally, attendees will learn how to turn professional presentations into publishable manuscripts, how to translate research data into a readable manuscript, and how to write engaging and palatable material that is audience appropriate, among other topics.

Kori Stewart, Ph.D., R.T.(R)(CT), CIIP

Sonja Boiteaux, M.S.R.S., R.T.(R)(MR), MRSO, MCHC

Objectives

• Understand the ASRT’s publishing process and requirements.
• Define and describe the use of AI in writing.
• Explain the intricacies of large language model use.
• Synthesize a manuscript from a professional presentation.
• Understand how to express research data in a manner digestible for readers.

Internal limb lengthening uses surgically implanted internal and external fixators to correct limb length discrepancies and is frequently performed in conjunction with limb deformity correction. In this session, attendees will learn about the process for diagnosis and treatment of various conditions requiring surgical intervention that include limb lengthening. The speaker will use radiographic images, videos and diagrams to describe the surgical and imaging procedures and challenges to obtaining optimal radiographic images.

The speaker’s son Nicholas has fibular hemimelia and underwent limb lengthening at the Paley Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida. His case started in 2011 and was completed in June 2023. The speaker will use images and videos produced during his son’s course of treatment to describe the procedure, follow-up and recovery.

Michael Latimer, M.S.R.S., R.T.(R), FASRT

Objectives

• Explain limb length discrepancies.
• List treatment options for limb length discrepancies.
• Describe internal and external limb lengthening options.
• Discuss medical imaging challenges with external fixation devices.
• Explain different procedures used to treat limb length discrepancies.

Generative artificial intelligence has revolutionized the way machines understand and create human-like content. This groundbreaking area of AI involves a range of algorithms and models that can generate original text, images and even music. One notable advancement is ChatGPT, a conversational chatbot developed by OpenAI and released to the public in November 2022. Through a combination of deep learning techniques, extensive training on vast amounts of data, and an innovative large language model, ChatGPT has emerged as an intelligent chatbot. It can engage in meaningful and coherent conversations, offer insightful responses and provide practical information across various disciplines, making it a significant milestone in the progress of generative AI. This session provides an overview of ChatGPT, including strengths, limitations, ethical considerations and outlook.

Kevin Clark, Ed.D., R.T.(R)(QM), FASRT, FAEIRS

Objectives

• Discuss the strengths and limitations of ChatGPT.
• Describe the implications of ChatGPT in radiologic science education.
• Examine ChatGPT responses related to medical imaging and radiation therapy for accuracy.

This course provides an overview of breast imaging history, advancements and career path options. The speaker will discuss the benefits of breast imaging for patients and technologists and offer guidance on how to pursue a career in breast imaging.

Darla Mounce, B.A., R.T.(R)(M)

Objectives

• Explore the history of breast imaging.
• Discuss advancements in breast imaging.
• Explain types of breast imaging, such as mammography, interventional mammography and ultrasound.
• Describe career path options and the benefits of breast imaging for technologists and patients.

This session provides an overview of a virtual magnetic resonance imaging interface that allows users to manipulate, in real time, image contrast, acquisition time, signal-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution, as well as the number of slices allowed per acquisition. The speaker will review the basic and fundamental principles of MR. Then, with the speaker’s guidance, attendees will use the MR imaging simulator to try to improve the acquisition parameters for three concrete optimization cases. They will be able to use all available parameters, such as repetition time, time-to-echo, turbo factor and bandwidth, to optimize the quality of the sequence.

Timothy Troncale, B.S.R.S., R.T.(R)(MR), ARMRIT, CPI

Objectives

• Define which parameters control T1 and T2 weightings, list the weighting values and appearance of tissue on a T1 and T2 sequence, and list the impact on signal of the various parameters used in T1 and T2 sequences.
• List characteristics, uses and advantages of a spin echo pulse sequence.
• Define fast spin echo and list the effects fast spin echo has on specific absorption rate and signal-to-noise ratio.
• List the primary parameters used in MR imaging and how they each relate to image quality.
• Understand the concept of multi-slice acquisition.
• Discuss how to improve the acquisition parameters, such as TR, TE, turbo factor and bandwidth, to optimize the quality of the sequence and answer concrete optimization cases.

This course enhances the knowledge and skills of pediatric imaging health care providers. The speaker will share key principles and strategies for improving the overall patient experience in pediatric radiology. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the unique challenges and considerations involved in pediatric imaging, learn practical approaches to address these issues, and acquire tools and techniques to optimize the patient experience.

Pariss Jackson, M.B.A., B.A.S., R.T.(R)(MR), CRA, LSSGB, CPHQ

Objectives

• Identify the unique considerations and challenges in pediatric imaging.
• Describe communication skills to effectively interact with pediatric patients and their families during the imaging process.
• Discuss techniques to create a child-friendly and supportive imaging environment.
• Implement strategies for improving patient comfort and reducing anxiety.
• Explain the role of multidisciplinary collaboration in optimizing the patient experience in pediatric imaging.

Many conflict resolution and management styles exist in the health care and education environments. This course offers ways to manage and resolve conflict in those environments. The speaker will discuss the positive and negative components of conflict, explore the four types of conflict, describe the phases of conflict and provide ways to respond based on certain situations.

Joseph Cress, Ed.D., R.T.(R)(CT)

Objectives

• Discuss conflict and conflict resolution and management.
• Explore positive and negative components of conflict within the health care setting.
• List the four types of conflict.
• Differentiate between the phases of conflict.
• Describe various resolution and management styles and how and when to employ them, based on the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument.

Although radiology leadership often views the mobile C-arm as an entry-level expectation, an exceptional radiographer who takes reproducible images efficiently is key to the success of a complex trauma surgery. This course will provide guidance on the image fulcrum: the geometric relationship that is important to understand for mobile C-arm imaging in orthopedic trauma surgery. The speaker will demonstrate concepts to expedite the radiographer’s skill development and proficiency in complex surgical imaging. A skilled radiographer helps reduce surgeon stress, patient anesthesia risk, and radiation dose exposure for all persons, and ultimately, helps improve patient outcomes. Attendees will also learn how the principle of ALARA, as low as reasonably achievable, in the operating room requires a different thought process that challenges traditional dose reduction and image quality concepts. The speaker will discuss why an imaging expert must possess complete technical knowledge and advanced critical thinking.

Ryan Ross, B.Sc., R.T.(R)

Objectives

• Explain the image fulcrum.
• Describe mobile C-arm geometry.
• Discuss ALARA in the context of a surgical setting.
• Explain the need for traditional learning centers to include surgical C-arm training for students.

Gamification has emerged as a dynamic and effective approach to engage students and enhance learning outcomes in various educational settings. This session will shed light on the transformative potential of gamification in the radiography classroom. The speaker will discuss the core concepts of gamification, delve into the science behind its effectiveness and provide insights into tailoring gamification methods to diverse learning styles.

Educators will be equipped with practical knowledge, real-world student data and strategies necessary to harness the power of gamification and turn the radiography classroom into a vibrant, engaging and effective learning environment. Attendees will gain actionable insights and a fresh perspective on teaching and be ready to implement gamification strategies in their organizations.

Bethany Stearns, M.S., R.T.(R)(MR)(CT)

Objectives

• Understand the concept of gamification and distinguish it from traditional teaching methods.
• Explain psychological and cognitive theories that underpin the effectiveness of gamification for enhancing student engagement and learning.
• Identify different learning styles and discover how to tailor gamification methods to accommodate diverse student preferences and needs.
• Discuss how to assess the effectiveness of gamification in the classroom, including metrics for measuring engagement and learning outcomes.