Editor's Note: This version is modified from the edition mailed to our membership because of
updated or duplicate information that may be found elsewhere on our web site.

Spring 1999
     

President’s Message
Linda K. Holden

       Hello to the membership of the WSRT...hope you winter was a mild as ours. By now you have been a valentine, worn green for St. Patty's and have gathered your eggs and are about ready to begin the yard work...hooray for spring and being outdoors.
       The WSRT has been fairly tranquil this winter...but we will be gearing up soon for the WSRT elections and, of course, preparing for the conference to be held in Cheyenne this year at the Hitching Post Inn.
       To bring you up to date on what your President has been doing, I would like to let you know some of the things that I have pursuing since I last saw you in September.
       1.  Looked in to getting board liability insurance for the board.
       2.  Created an information brochure for the licensed non RT's in the state and sent them out with an invitation letter to join the WSRT.
       3.  Sent out a survey to all licensed imaging professionals to generate information regarding the status of imaging professionals across the state.
       4.  Have maintained correspondence with the ASRT regarding the conference in Portland.
       5.  Wyoming will participate in the Parade of flags.
       6.  Wyoming will participate in the silent auction.
       7.  Both the president and president elect will attend the conference in Portland as well as the leadership conference.
       8.  The WSRT board meeting was held April 24, 1999 in Casper.
       The most important issue to date is getting the candidates who have been nominated credentialed and preparations for the WSRT educational conference.
       The ASRT is busy working on the minimum standards act, so I encourage everyone to pay close attention to the Scanner for any information or updates so that we can be available to write letters, call, or help in any way in getting this initiative passed.
       Enjoy your spring, don't forget to vote, and plan to get together with us folks in Cheyenne, come September. Adios, lkh

Membership Information

       The membership files have been updated since the last Cowboy Cathode. If we have made an error we apologize and if you have or know of any problems or questions regarding memberships including address changes, please don’t hesitate to contact Mary Bond at execsecretary@wsrt.org .
        It’s important that we have a current listing of ALL of our members. I encourage you to pass your copy of the Cathode around to other techs in your departments that may not have received a copy so that we have a chance to correct any errors and also a chance to encourage prospective members to join. If you have paid your membership but have not received a card, if you need to pay and haven’t received notice, or if you can help us locate other members, please write to or call Mary ASAP!

Annual Conference

       Greetings to all of you! The planning for the 1999 Annual Conference in Cheyenne is underway, full steam and I’d like to pass along a few things to you about it.
       The conference will be held from September 16 – 19 at the Hitching Post Inn in Cheyenne. Look for the full itinerary and registration forms to come out with the next Cathode around the end of July or first part of August.
       I will give you a brief synopsis of what we’re planning so far. First, we’ll start off Thursday with our management seminar in the afternoon from 1:00 until 5:00 and anyone is welcome to attend. Next, the evening classes seemed such a success last year so we will repeat those again this year beginning on Thursday night. We will have dinner available for everyone at 5:00, which will be followed with a topic at 6:00 and one at 7:00 as well.
       Friday begins with introductions at 8:50 followed by a keynote speaker from 9:00 until 10:20. We’ll pause for a short break then jump into the student papers until 11:00. We’ll feature two separate classes from 11:00 until noon, then we’ll pause for lunch and the first business session until 1:50. Your lunch is provided for in your registration so be sure to not miss out! We’ll dive into the business meeting with little delay and may even be able to finish early enough to give some of you time for a short siesta or time to shop for a souvenir before classes resume at 2:00.
       We’ll feature six different breakout sessions from 2:00 until 5:00, and then offer dinner again until 6:00. You can then attend two final classes from 6:00 until 7:50. At this point, I don’t have anything formally planned for Friday evening but we have discussed the possibility of a Monte Carlo night, or something similar. If you would like to do something like that, please let us know ASAP!!
       Saturday starts the day with six breakout sessions from 9:00 until 12:00. We will then offer lunch and the second WSRT business session until 1:30. We will then have five more breakout sessions as well as the student bowl until 4:30, then offer you a break until the evenings festivities begin with cocktails at 6:00. This will be followed by the Annual Banquet and Awards Dinner, as well as the installation of our new officers. Of course, the evening will close with the annual raffle.
       New for this year – we will offer more classes on Sunday with three more speakers from 9:00 until noon. I felt that this would give more of you that can’t come to the conference on Thursday or Friday a chance to pick up additional credits. Of course, for those of you that could, you will receive even more CE’s for the weekend. All in our effort to give you more bang for the buck!
       You can get updated information as it becomes available at http://www.wsrt.org/conferen.htm.

The following people have been nominated for office in the WSRT for the next year and the Cowboy Cathode would like to present to you some information submitted by each candidate for your consideration

       Dan Nystrom – No submitted text by publication. Dan is a Therapy Technologist in Casper.
       Starla Mason – I am currently the Radiography Program Coordinator at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, where I’ve been employed for the past eight years. I have been a member of the WSRT and ASRT since I was a student (we won’t reveal how long that’s been). I hold a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management along with certifications from the ASRT in Radiography and Quality Management. I’m also somewhat of a connoisseur of chocolates and I love terriers.
       I have served the WSRT in various capacities; as Secretary from 1997-1998 in addition to Education Committee Chair since 1996 and from 1984-1987. I have also presented at WSRT Annual Conferences and I was honored as a WSRT Life Member last September.
       My goals are to continue to support the ASRT’s grass roots efforts to pass Federal Minimum Standards, provide greater leadership opportunities for WSRT members and Wyoming Technologists, seek ways to further involve and educate Wyoming’s limited license technicians, and serve as a facilitator to meet the membership’s continuing education needs.

       Devon Honea – I am a technologist at Casper Orthopedics. I graduated in x-ray in 1995. I was previously employed with a "special" license at Glenrock Diagnostic in 1994 then at Wyoming Medical Center for a short time before going to Casper Orthopedics. Being Vice President will help me learn and understand our radiology government on our state level and will allow me to be part of our growth and development.
       Kristy Nystrom – My name is Kristy Nystrom I'm a diagnostic/mammographic technologist at Wyoming Medical Center. I also recently became a Breast Cancer Liaison for the same institution. I've been at the hospital for 10 years now. I established a quality control program for the mammography department and I have began doing quality control in the diagnostic department also. I've been active in the WSRT for 8 years and the ASRT for 6 years. I've sat on the WSRT Board as secretary twice and have been a delegate to the ASRT for 4 years now. As a delegate I represented our region in mammography and currently in Quality Management. My husband is a Radiation Therapist in Casper. We've been married about 8 years and have 2 children. I feel the society would benefit by having me on the board because of my commitment to bettering our profession, one step at a time. I feel, if I can make a difference at a state level that becomes the first step in improving ourselves at a national level.
       Shelly Breazeale – I graduated from the Radiography Program at Laramie County Community College in 1985. Since the time I have been employed at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Cheyenne. I have been the Clinical Supervisor for the radiography students since 1987. I became registered in CT in 1996. I am interested in where our profession is headed and want to become in my state society.

       Gemini Janas – I graduated from LCCC in May 1998. I took the Registry in July1998. I have been employed by United Medical Center – West in Cheyenne since August 1998. I have been a member of the WSRT since September 1996. I was recording secretary for LCCC’s Honor Society, Phi Beta Kappa for 3 years. I would like to be the secretary for the WSRT because I would like to be more involved with this society and because I have experience with being a "secretary".
       Jennifer Praska – I am from Douglas, WY and am a second year student in the radiography program at LCCC. I will graduate this month and take the registry in July. I have been a student member of the WSRT since 1997 and I have been a member of Thi Beta Kappa since 1996.

American College of Radiology,International Radiography Group Support Federal Standards for Radiologic Technologists

       The American College of Radiology and the International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists recently announced their support for the establishment of federal minimum standards for medical imaging and radiation therapy personnel. The two organizations join more than a dozen other professional associations and patient-advocacy groups in supporting the introduction of the Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Quality Assurance Act of 1999. The proposed legislation would assure the competency of radiologic technologists by establishing a minimum national standard for education and certification.
       The American College of Radiology represents more than 30,000 diagnostic radiologists, radiation oncologists, radiology residents and medical physicists. According to Executive Director John Curry, "The ACR is a strong advocate of all personnel involved in imaging procedures being qualified by training and experience. The radiologic technologist is a key individual in the operation of a high quality imaging department, and should be qualified to carry out their role in a manner that assures quality."
       The International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists is a coalition of 57 national radiographer societies from 55 countries, representing more than 100,000 medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals. "National standards of education are an extremely important prerequisite for high quality diagnostic and therapeutic services," said ISRRT Secretary General T.J.D. West. "The international community fully supports efforts to bring the standards of practice throughout the United States up to those that are enjoyed in many other developed countries."
       According to the ISRRT, many countries have enacted legislation that identifies those qualified to perform medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures. "Radiation protection laws, including medical uses, was one of the first legislative areas to be addressed in the new European Union." said Mr. West.
       The Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Quality Assurance Act of 1999 would add an enforcement mechanism to the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act of 1981. Because compliance with the 1981 Act was voluntary, only 34 states have enacted licensure laws for personnel who perform medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures.
       The American Society of Radiologic Technologists, whose 77,000 members are spearheading the effort to enact the legislation, believes national standards will improve the quality and safety of procedures performed in the radiology department while reducing the costs associated with misdiagnoses and delays in diagnosis.
       "We are pleased to have ACR and ISRRT support for this important patient-care bill," said ASRT Chief Executive Officer Lynn May. "The lack of minimum standards nationwide poses a hazard to patients and jeopardizes quality health care. It's important that only qualified individuals be permitted to perform medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures."
       The Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Quality Assurance Act is expected to be introduced in Congress later this year.

INDUSTRY LEADERS INVESTIGATE WAYS TO RECONNECT TECHNOLOGY, TECHNOLOGISTS

       Representatives from 13 leading companies in the radiologic science industry recently met in Santa Fe, N.M., to discuss ways to strengthen the link between those who develop medical technology and those who use it.
       The April 23 meeting of the Health Care Industry Advisory Council included representatives from pharmaceutical companies, radiographic film companies, educational firms and medical equipment manufacturers. The Advisory Council was formed earlier this year to guide the ASRT Education and Research Foundation, the research arm of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.
       Advisory Council representatives discussed the future of the radiologic sciences industry, identified trends that will affect radiologic technologists, and suggested areas that may warrant additional research. "Technological advances are transforming the way radiologic technologists perform their jobs and are changing the types of continuing education they need," explained Foundation Board Chairman Steven Palmisano. "In the past, many of these changes occurred so rapidly that it was difficult to keep pace with R.T.s' educational needs. Through the Advisory Council, corporations can help the Foundation identify technological trends and prioritize research so R.T.s receive the education and information they need to improve patient care."
       Possible research projects suggested by the group included:
       1.  Analyzing strategies to improve workflow in the radiology department.
       2.  Studying the educational needs of radiologic technologists.
       3.  Investigating ways to involve radiologic technologists in product development.
       4.  Measuring the level of influence radiologic technologists have on purchasing decisions.
       Advisory Council members also discussed the need to study the current state of continuing education. They suggested development of a research paper investigating the value of technologist training programs and demonstrating the impact of CE on employee retention, department productivity, imaging quality and patient care.
       Members of the Health Care Industry Advisory Council represented at the April 23 meeting were Bracco Diagnostics, represented by X-Ray Contrast Media Product Manager Debbie Marchese; Data Distributing, represented by National Sales Director Nancy Fisher; Eastman Kodak Company, represented by Channel Manager Tom Brown; Elekta Oncology Systems, represented by Senior Applications Specialist Teri Hansen; E-Z-EM, represented by Director of Professional Relations Steve Garden; Fuji Medical Systems U.S.A., represented by Imaging Services Director George Spahn; GE Medical Systems, represented by TIP Applications Program Manager Jack Albertson and Clinical Education Manager John Reich; Medical Imaging Consultants, represented by President Philip Femano; Philips Medical Systems, represented by National Clinical Education Manager Patricia Schmitt; Sterling Diagnostic Imaging, represented by Executive Director for Operations, Support and Development Training Rob Gavron; and Toshiba America Medical Systems, represented by Applications Manager Barbara Black. Other Advisory Council members are Berlex Laboratories and Siemens Medical Systems.
       "As members of the Industry Advisory Council, these companies have demonstrated their commitment to promoting the profession of radiologic technology and to advancing the careers of individual radiologic technologists and radiation therapists," said Mr. Palmisano. "The partnership between industry and the ASRT Education and Research Foundation will result in unparalleled educational opportunities for radiologic technologists."
       The ASRT Education and Research Foundation was founded in 1984 to improve the quality of health care by funding research in the radiologic sciences and creating educational opportunities for radiologic technologists. Since that time, the Foundation has awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships and grants. The majority of the Foundation's programs are funded through donations made by individuals and by professional, corporate and private contributors who are interested in advancing the radiologic sciences and improving patient care.

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