The ASRT has announced the recipients of its distinguished author awards, recognizing the best peer-reviewed articles published in ASRT’s scientific journals in 2022. Presented annually, the awards are chosen by members of each journal’s respective Editorial Review Board after a comprehensive review of all scholarly articles published in the journals during the previous calendar year.

The Radiologic Technology Distinguished Author Award in Honor of Jean I. Widger goes to Asher Street Beam, D.H.A., R.T.(R)(MR), MRSO; Lee Brown, D.H.A., R.T.(R)(N), CNMT, RHIA; Kristi Moore, Ph.D., R.T.(R)(CT); Shamsi Daneshvari Berry, Ph.D., CPHI; Hannah Stovall, M.S., R.T.(R)(MR); Mekayla Rainey, M.S., R.T.(R)(MR); Callie Shepherd, M.S., R.T.(R)(MR); Courtney Turner, M.S., R.T.(R)(MR); and Angel Flagg, M.S., R.T.(R)(MR). Their article, “Workplace Violence in Imaging Departments,” was published in the November/December issue of Radiologic Technology.

Dr. Street Beam is director of the Master of Science in Magnetic Resonance Imaging program and associate professor for the Department of Radiologic Sciences at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Health Related Professions. Dr. Brown is director of the Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences program and associate professor for the Department of Radiologic Sciences at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Health Related Professions. Dr. Moore is vice chair of the ASRT Patient Shielding Task Force, chair of the ASRT Board of Directors, chair of the ASRT-PAC®, and chair and professor for the Department of Radiologic Sciences at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Health Related Professions. Dr. Berry is associate professor for the Department of Biomedical Informatics at the Western Michigan University, Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine in Kalamazoo. Stovall, Rainey, Shepherd, Turner and Flagg are graduates of the Master of Science in Magnetic Resonance Imaging program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Health Related Professions.

The goal of their original research study was to investigate the types and frequency of workplace violence experienced by radiologic technologists and to identify which technologists using specific imaging modalities are at increased risk. They found that workplace violence creates an undesirable working environment, leading to negative implications for the health care worker and the patient. Education that details types of workplace violence and best practices for handling each type is key to protecting employees.

In addition, this year the Radiation Therapist Distinguished Author Award in Honor of Harold Silverman goes to Amy A. Heath, M.S., R.T.(T), FASRT, and Karol J. Huenerberg, M.S.N., FNP-BC, APNP, AOCNP, for their article, “The Role of Safety Rounds in Supporting a Culture of Safety in Radiation Oncology,” which was published in the fall 2022 issue of Radiation Therapist.

Heath is education director for the radiation oncology department at UW Health and adjunct faculty member for the Radiation Therapy Program at the University of Wisconsin – LaCrosse. She is a former chair of the Radiation Therapist Editorial Review Board and currently serves as a research mentor for the ASRT Foundation’s New Researcher Grant program. Huenerberg is a nurse practitioner for the radiation oncology department at UW Health in Madison, Wisconsin.

The goal of their original research study was to investigate how incorporating regular safety rounds in the radiation oncology department supports a culture of safety. They found that radiation oncology departments should consider adding department-specific safety rounds to improve the culture of safety in their department and that leadership support and staff buy-in are necessary for the success of safety rounds.

The Widger award is named after long-time Radiologic Technology editor Jean I. Widger. The Silverman award is named in honor of radiation therapist Harold Silverman, an advocate for accreditation of radiation therapy educational programs.

The ASRT will honor the recipients at the Honors Evening Event on June 24 at the ASRT Annual Governance and House of Delegates Meeting.