The American Society of Radiologic Technologists has conferred the 2020 ASRT Award for Advocacy to The Minnesota Society of Radiologic Technologists, Jennifer Clayton, M.B.A., R.T.(R)(CT), of Oregon, and Nicholas Gimmi, M.H.A., R.T.(R)(CT), CRA, of Virginia.
The ASRT Award for Advocacy acknowledges achievements in advocacy efforts and highlights ASRT’s commitment to supporting affiliates and radiologic technologists who defend professional standards and protect patient safety through regulatory and legislative action.
The Minnesota Society of Radiologic Technologists has built important connections with stakeholders to secure higher standards for medical imaging and radiation therapy services in the state. MSRT President Scott Haglund, M.A.Ed., LAT, ATC, R.T.(R), says “Networking connections through the ASRT, ARRT, the Minnesota Radiological Society lobbyist and Minnesota affiliate membership have proved invaluable to our advocacy efforts.” The group worked tirelessly with Minnesota Radiation Control in updating regulations so they better benefit patients and the radiologic technology profession. The society has also laid the foundation for radiologic technologist licensure in Minnesota. Currently the profession is only regulated through the radiation control program and the MSRT supports full licensure as the best model to ensure patient safety.
During the 2019 legislative session, the Society successfully added amendments to Senate Bill 966 and House Bill 819 to ensure cardiovascular technologists who operate fluoroscopy equipment must meet strict education requirements and work under practice restrictions.
Jennifer Clayton, M.B.A., R.T.(R)(CT), has been a formidable voice for radiologic technologists in Oregon. She attends quarterly meetings of the Oregon Board of Medical Imaging and reports issues of concern to the Oregon Society of Radiologic Technologists and ASRT. She has testified at hearings and spoken to legislators about preventing encroachment by advanced practice registered nurses. Colleague Barbara Smith, M.S., R.T.(R)(QM), FASRT, said one of the biggest impacts Jennifer has had for Oregon technologists was halting a move by advanced practice registered nurses to perform fluoroscopy examinations by limiting APRNs only to supervising fluoroscopy exams performed by a licensed radiologic technologist. Now, before supervising fluoroscopy, an APRN now must complete a fluoroscopy competence assessment examination after meeting fluoroscopy education requirements.
Clayton’s communication skills and desire to keep Oregon radiologic technologists aware of issues affecting their profession are evidenced in her numerous statewide communications. She was also key in distributing information about the Oregon Health Authority Radiation Protection Services’ decision to discontinue patient gonadal shielding ion the state. Clayton is a 2018 graduate of the ASRT Online Advocacy Academy and serves on the Committee on R.T. Advocacy as a region leader.
Nicholas Gimmi, M.H.A., R.T.(R)(CT), CRA, has been a leader in the Virginia Society of Radiologic Technologists and a stalwart advocate for the medical imaging and radiation therapy professions. As incoming president of the VSRT, Gimmi worked to create an advocacy network for Virginia technologists. He has spearheaded legislative events at the state capital, especially when quick action was needed to stop a bill that would have allowed untrained personnel to perform body composition scanning using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry or computed tomography scanners after receiving only minimal training from the equipment manufacturer. He organized fellow advocates and attended the hearing, resulting in the bill being dropped from consideration.
Living close to Washington, D.C., Gimmi also stays on top of federal legislation and visits federal lawmakers. Colleague Rebecca Keith, M.S., R.T.(R)(CT), says, “Capitol Hill knows him by name!” Gimmi is a graduate of the 2019 ASRT Online Advocacy Academy and has been a member of the Committee on R.T. Advocacy for several years, serving as chairman in 2013-2014.
The Award for Advocacy, established in 2003, typically recognizes one affiliate society and one individual for outstanding public policy reform efforts performed on behalf of the radiologic technology community. This year, the ASRT Committee on R.T. Advocacy selected two ASRT members for individual recognition from nominations submitted by ASRT members. The 2020 Award for Advocacy is for efforts that have taken place between October 1, 2018 and September 30, 2019.
The honorees will be recognized June 27 at the 2020 Virtual Special Meeting of the ASRT House of Delegates.