Representatives from 18 radiologic science organizations met at the American Society of Radiologic Technologists office in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Feb. 19-20, for the Consensus Committee on the Future of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy.

Spearheaded by the ASRT, American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, the conference covered two core topics: addressing the current medical imaging and radiation therapy workforce shortage and developing career pathways for medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals.

Participants used survey data from the ASRT 2023 Professional Workforce Survey as a roadmap for discussions. The survey highlights data on a variety of topics, including the current workforce shortage, the radiation therapy advanced practice role and remote scanning practices.

According to a statement from the heads of the ASRT, ARRT and JRCERT, the committee’s work is a key step in addressing some critical issues facing the profession:

This think tank represented a variety of radiologic science organizations. It included accomplished professionals in education, accreditation, certification and clinical practice. It was inspiring to see these individuals address important issues, break down barriers and work collaboratively to ensure a bright future for the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession.

The consensus committee’s findings and recommendations will be outlined in a white paper scheduled to be published this spring.

For questions about the survey, contact [email protected].

The medical imaging community expresses discomfort with managing remote imaging procedures as uncertainty in roles, responsibilities and scope of practice are not clearly defined, according to results of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists 2023 Professional Workforce Survey.

Conducted to gauge medical imaging professionals’ knowledge and beliefs about remote imaging, the survey results highlight several topics including current knowledge about remote scanning, the percentage of facilities using remote scanning and beliefs about whether non-medical imaging professionals can be taught to manage remote scanning procedures.

The ASRT Practice Standards for Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy defines remote scanning as "operator control of image acquisition from a physical location that is different from the patient."

Survey results show that 7.2% of respondents (561 people) report working at a health care system that uses remote imaging. Among that group, 89% say modality-certified personnel manage the remote imaging equipment, 87.3% say modality-certified personnel are screening and positioning the patient onsite where the equipment is located and 82.4% say modality-certified personnel are administering contrast agents when appropriate.

The survey also asked medical imaging professionals to provide their thoughts on remote scanning in general and who should be responsible for managing procedures. Most respondents, 97.1%, believe the remote technologist should be modality certified. Furthermore, 97.4% believe the personnel with the patient and equipment should be modality certified.

In addition, 75.4% do not believe that a modality-certified technologist working offsite can teach an onsite technologist certified in another modality to competently perform a procedure. When asked if they would feel comfortable managing procedures as the primary technologist from a remote location, 71.4% said no.

“ASRT is still gathering data about remote scanning and working with other medical imaging organizations to determine how it can support this evolving imaging procedure and ensure all technologists working with remote scanning are appropriately credentialed, educationally prepared and clinically competent for their specific role in the procedure,” said ASRT CEO and Executive Director Melissa B. Pergola, Ed.D., R.T.(R)(M), FASRT, CAE.

The results of the survey will be published in a white paper later this year that will outline current workforce shortages in medical imaging and radiation therapy and career pathway options.

For questions about the survey, contact [email protected].

Perhaps no greater tool to help advance the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession is the voice of its members. To help members gain the education needed, ASRT is offering a 10-week Online Advocacy Academy and is accepting applications March 10 through May 12, 2024.

The OLAA provides education on how to affect positive change in the policies guiding the profession to members of ASRT and their state’s affiliate society. The program includes asynchronous videos, discussion posts, three conference calls and projects that provide hands-on experience for strategic advocacy campaigns. OLAA begins in July and runs through mid-September.

Apply for the Online Advocacy Academy

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists will award Life Member status to two members during the ASRT Annual Governance and House of Delegates Meeting in Orlando, Florida, on June 28.

The Society’s newest Life Members are Catherine Kukec, B.M.E., R.T.(R)(M)(QM)(BD), CN-BI, FASRT, and Bettye Wilson, M.A.Ed., R.T.(R)(CT), RDMS, FASRT.

Life Member Award

Established in 1938, Life Members are active ASRT members who have maintained continuous membership for at least 30 years and have participated in a wide range of activities that demonstrate sustained superior performance in support of the ASRT and the radiologic science profession. Candidates who receive the honor are selected by at least a three-quarters vote of the ASRT Board of Directors.

Life Member

Catherine M. Kukec,
B.M.E., R.T.(R)(M)(QM)(BD), CN-BI, FASRT

Catherine M. Kukec, B.M.E., R.T.(R)(M)(QM)(BD), CN-BI, FASRT, joined ASRT in 1991. Her ASRT leadership roles include serving as speaker of the House and vice speaker of the House. In addition, she has served on the Commission on Education, Reference Committee on Education Administration and Advocacy Committee. She has been a contributing writer for ASRT Scanner since 2005 and is an ASRT Leadership Academy graduate. She is a dedicated advocate and was awarded the ASRT Outstanding Grassroots Advocacy Award in 2005. Kukec was elevated to ASRT Fellow in 2013. She holds an associate degree in radiologic technology from the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and a bachelor’s degree in music education, certified K-12, from DePaul University in Chicago.

Kukec became a registered radiologic technologist in 1988 and has been a diagnostic radiographer for Chicago Ridge Medical Imaging in Chicago Ridge, Illinois, since 2017. She spent 19 years working for Adventist LaGrange Memorial Hospital in LaGrange, Illinois, as a radiologic technologist, patient care navigator, quality education specialist and clinical instructor. She also was the lead vascular interventional technologist at Edward Hospital in Naperville, Illinois. Kukec has presented at the Illinois State Society of Radiologic Technologists annual conferences and for numerous affiliate societies’ annual conferences between 1999 and 2017. She continues to contribute to education by serving as an adjunct faculty member and clinical instructor at the College of DuPage.

Kukec has been a member of the ISSRT for 38 years and has held positions including board chair, president, vice president, affiliate delegate, secretary and annual conference chair. She also served as chair for the legislative, nominations and mentor committees, and became a life member of the ISSRT in 2007. She is equally committed to her community and volunteers with the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society. She is a DuPage County Pads volunteer, assisting with overnight shelter and meal distributions for the area’s homeless population. She is also an accomplished flutist and is a member of the West Suburban Flute Orchestra.

Bettye Wilson,
M.A.Ed., R.T.(R)(CT), RDMS, FASRT

Bettye Wilson, M.A.Ed., R.T.(R)(CT), RDMS, FASRT, joined ASRT in 1993 and her contributions reflect a legacy of service and excellence to the profession and within the ASRT community. Wilson became a registered technologist with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists in 1970. At ASRT, she has held volunteer roles as a mentor for the Student to Leadership Development Program and the Diversity Leadership Development Program, which evolved into the Health Equity Leadership Academy, and she continues to serve in the Professional Mentorship Program. In addition, she served in the House of Delegates as delegate, vice chair and chair for the ASRT Sonography Chapter. She was elevated to ASRT Fellow in 2004.

Wilson earned a master’s degree in education in allied health sciences from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and completed the university’s master teacher program.

She is an associate professor emerita at the UAB and was vice president of the UAB African American Faculty Association, participated on multiple committees focused on faculty affairs and minority recruitment and contributed to the UAB Commission on the Status of Women. At the UAB School of Health Professions, she held positions as associate professor, assistant professor, clinical instructor, sonography coordinator and computed tomography coordinator spanning 32 years. At Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions in Boston, she was an adjunct associate professor and served as an instructor for the advanced placement track radiography program for Pima Medical Institute.

Wilson held ARRT leadership positions from 2003-2007, including president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, contributor to the ethics review board and ARRT Board of Trustees member.

Active at the state level, she is a member of the Alabama Society of Radiologic Technologists having served as president, chairman of the board and editor of the Bama Rays. She became an ALSRT life member in 2003. She also was the co-founder, president and vice president of the Panhandle Society of Radiologic Technologists in Panama City, Florida, in the 1970s.

ASRT will recognize the honorees at the Honors Evening ceremony at the annual governance meeting in Orlando, Florida, on June 28.

The ASRT is seeking qualified members interested in volunteer positions on the ASRT-PAC^® Board of Directors.

The duties, qualifications and time commitments required for these openings are available through the link below:

Please contact ASRT Volunteer Services at [email protected] with any questions or concerns.

To see all current positions available, visit the Open Volunteer Opportunities page.

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists recently kicked off its Be Seen awareness campaign to celebrate and elevate the work of medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals. In conjunction with the campaign, ASRT will hold the Invisible Heroes 5k Community Run/Walk both in person and virtually, Saturday, May 18.

5K Run/Walk Planned

The Invisible Heroes 5K Run/Walk will recognize the vital role that medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals play on the health care team and introduce the public to the Society and its role in advancing and elevating the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession. The hybrid event is part of an initiative introduced by ASRT President Brandon A. Smith, M.B.A., M.S.R.S., R.T.(R)(VI), CIIP, to raise awareness of these vital professionals.

The Invisible Heroes 5K Run/Walk will offer age group, overall and team awards, including a t-shirt and finisher medals for all participants.

Event location:
Believers Center of Albuquerque parking lot
320 Waterfall Dr. SE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123

Event Registration:
https://www.asrt.org/InvisibleHeroes

Event Schedule:
Saturday, May 18, 2024
5K – 9 a.m.
Kids K – 10 a.m.

Museum Tours Available
Friday, May 17, 2024
3-6 p.m.
15000 Central Ave. SE

At packet pick-up, on Friday, May 17, the ASRT Museum and Archives will be open to the public from 3-6 p.m. The museum is located inside the ASRT office at 15000 Central Avenue SE. The ASRT Museum and Archives is unique in that it not only contains radiologic artifacts of bygone eras, but it is dedicated to the radiologic technology profession and the technologists who advanced that profession.

Radiologic Technologist Facts

• Radiologic technologists are the medical personnel who perform diagnostic imaging examinations and administer radiation therapy treatments. They are educated in anatomy, patient positioning, examination techniques, equipment protocols, radiation safety and patient care.
• They may specialize in a specific imaging technique, such as bone densitometry, cardiovascular-interventional radiography, computed tomography, mammography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine, quality management, sonography or radiography. The radiologic technologists who specialize in radiation therapy, which is the delivery of high doses of radiation to treat cancer and other diseases, are radiation therapists and medical dosimetrists.
• According to the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists there are more than 450,000 registered radiologic technologists in the United States.
• As experts in medical imaging, radiologic technologists produce images for physicians to assist in the diagnoses and treatment of injuries and diseases.

The ASRT has announced the recipients of its distinguished author awards, recognizing the best peer-reviewed articles published in ASRT’s scientific journals in 2023. 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; Chelsea Palmer Stephens, Ed.D., R.T.(R)(N), CNMT; Charlotte Taylor, M.D.; Jessie Bentley, M.S., R.T.(R)(MR); Allison Crane Gonzalez, M.S., R.T.(R)(MR); Maneet Marwaha, M.S., R.T.(R)(MR); Drake Riley, M.S., R.T.(R)(MR); and Cassandra Wade, M.S., R.T.(R)(MR). Their article, “Imaging and Demographic Risk Factors in the Diagnosis of Pediatric Nonaccidental Trauma,” was published in the July/August 2023 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. Stephens is director of the master of science in nuclear medicine technology program and assistant professor for the department of radiologic sciences at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Health Related Professions. Dr. Taylor is director for the diagnostic radiology residency program and associate director for the neuroradiology fellowship program for the department of radiology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Bentley, Gonzalez, Marwaha, Riley and Wade 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 case study was to describe and discuss a case in which the patient received a diagnosis of severe head trauma that resulted in death. Imaging findings, along with discrepancies in the parental explanation of the incident, aided the forensic investigators to identify the case as nonaccidental trauma. Identifying demographic risk factors and performing proper clinical evaluations can serve an important role in the diagnosis of pediatric NAT. Imaging modalities such as radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging can help determine the extent of trauma. The authors concluded that to help prevent future cases of abuse, medical professionals should be fluent in identifying differences between accidental and NAT. Using multiple imaging modalities, NAT in pediatric patients can be identified and treated adequately.

In addition, this year the Radiation Therapist Distinguished Author Award in Honor of Harold Silverman goes to Timothy Catalano, M.A., R.T.(T); Jennifer Thompson, Ed.D., R.T.(R)(QM); Heather L. Phillips, Ph.D., MLS, MT; Eleanor Jator, Ph.D., MT; Oghenetega Adogbeji, M.S.; Callistus Obunadike, M.S.; Robin Latchem, M.S., MLS; Blessing Osadare, M.S.; and Tameka Gooden, M.S., MT, for their article, “Exploring the Need for Clinical Preceptor Training in Radiation Therapy,” which was published in the spring 2023 issue of Radiation Therapist.

Catalano is quality and safety coordinator for radiation oncology at Duke University. He was an assistant professor in radiation therapy at Austin Peay State University during the writing and research portion of the article. Dr. Thompson is the radiography program director and associate professor for Austin Peay State University. She has served numerous leadership roles with the Tennessee affiliate and serves on the Tennessee Board of Radiologic Imaging and Radiation Therapy, advocating for patients and technologists. Dr. Phillips is professor of medical laboratory science and director of laboratory testing for Austin Peay State University. Dr. Jator is professor of medical laboratory science and education coordinator for the medical laboratory scientist and phlebotomy programs at Austin Peay State University. Adogbeji holds a master's degree in computer science and quantitative methods from Austin Peay State University. Presently, he works as a data scientist at one of the nation's premier automobile giants. Obunadike has three Master of Science degrees including groundwater management, sustainable mining engineering and computer science. He recently co-founded a tech start-up called YoungGlobalTech LLC, which aims to empower young people with data analytical skills. Latchem is assistant professor in the department of medical and clinical lab sciences at Auburn University at Montgomery in Alabama. Osadare was a graduate student at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville during the study. She currently is a software engineer for Nordstrom. Gooden is a former employee of Baptist Health Sciences University in Memphis, Tennessee.

The goal of their original research study was to examine whether radiation therapist clinical preceptors are trained as educators, to evaluate clinical preceptors’ perspectives on clinical preceptor training and to determine the need to develop a more robust form of clinical preceptor training in radiation therapy. They found that clinical preceptors need and want more training for their roles and more communication with education programs. A standardized training platform is suggested because of the varying learning cultures in clinics and individual preceptors’ different educational backgrounds and experiences.

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 on June 28 at the ASRT Annual Governance and House of Delegates Meeting.

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists has named Jennifer Thompson, Ed.D., R.T.(R)(QM), of Tennessee, as the winner of the 2024 ASRT individual Award for Advocacy and the Connecticut Society of Radiologic Technologists as the affiliate award winner.

Based on nominations submitted by ASRT members, the ASRT Award for Advocacy recognizes and acknowledges achievements in various advocacy efforts, including overall growth and development of individual and affiliate grass-roots involvement. The ASRT Committee on R.T. Advocacy selects the award winners, and the awards are presented on behalf of the ASRT Board of Directors. The 2024 Award for Advocacy recognizes efforts that took place between Oct. 1, 2022, and Sept. 30, 2023.

Jennifer Thompson, Ed.D., R.T.(R)(QM), is the radiography program director and associate professor at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. She currently serves as Chair of the Board of the Tennessee Society of Radiologic Technologists and has held roles including president, senior board member, vice president and secretary for the past 13 years. Dr. Thompson has advocated tirelessly to establish licensure standards for medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals in Tennessee and amped up efforts last year when her state considered a bill that would eliminate most licensure requirements. Grass-roots communications efforts through presentations, podcasts, letters, social media posts and testifying at state hearings, proved successful by getting affiliates and other imaging professionals from other states involved. Despite the state passing the bill, she continues to promote the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession including advocating for minimum education standards.

In addition to her legislative work, Dr. Thompson was selected as one of four individuals nationwide to receive the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists’ Gold Standard award in 2023. She was elected to serve as secretary on the ASRT Board of Directors for 2024-2025.

During the Connecticut General Assembly’s 2023 legislative session, the Connecticut Society of Radiologic Technologists responded to Senate Bill 1228, a measure that addressed the state’s health care workforce shortages. The CSRT’s goal was to tackle the shortage of radiologic technologists, nuclear medicine technologists and respiratory care technologists, as well as develop plans to create a magnet school focused on health care professions. In March, the CSRT provided verbal testimony to the Connecticut Committee on Public Health and recruited directors from radiography programs to submit written testimony on the bill. Although this specific bill did not gain traction in the General Assembly, parts of the bill were put into Senate Bill 9. CSRT collaborated with the Connecticut Public Health Committee to include language in the new bill to establish a task force to address the shortage of radiologic technologists and respiratory care technologists. Both chambers of the legislature voted on the measure, which passed, creating Public Act 23-97. The CSRT educational committee is currently surveying educators to increase student and educator involvement. In addition, members of the CSRT legislative committee participated in a Connecticut legislative coffee hour calling and emailing numerous representatives and senators.

The ASRT Government Relations Department is off to a strong start in 2024. The team continues its efforts to elevate and protect the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession and to monitor legislative actions at the state and the federal level.

Information about the department’s work can be found on its blog located on the Advocacy Action Center webpage. The blog includes information about the launch of advocacy action campaigns to support legislative efforts in three states as well as successes in protecting and expanding licensure in New Hampshire, Michigan and Washington. Read about the department’s actions to oppose various issues of encroachment, inappropriate scope of practice expansion, remote imaging and deregulation through letter writing campaigns in seven states. ASRT also continues to collaborate with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and other partner radiologic science organizations to support advocacy efforts in numerous states.

The Advocacy Action Center is a resource for the radiologic technology community to learn about the legislative efforts in their states. It also provides technologists with the tools to contact state and federal officials.