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 2001
     

     Six months and counting...It's hard to believe that half my term is past. But on the other hand, looking over this issue of the Cathode, the WSRT has a lot to show for this relatively short period of time! Our Grassroots Effort with regard to House Bill 153 has been featured twice by the ASRT in its publications: once in the Scanner, and just recently in the Grassroots Network newsletter. Our political "activism" didn't stop there as the WSRT was able to send two representatives to RT in DC in March to be part of the ASRT's Grassroots efforts for the CARE Act. What a great opportunity to educate our Congressional delegation in Washington about our profession-it was both an awesome and "awe-struck" experience! See the article in this issue for a detailed report, and think about being a WSRT representative for this or other ASRT opportunities next year.
     The WSRT continues to take its education (and social) responsibilities seriously. Plans are well underway for the 2001 Conference in Cheyenne and the 2002 dates and reservations have been made in Jackson. (And rumor has it that Gillette has potential for 2003-with a side trip to Deadwood to help raise funds for the WSRT?)
     Reviewing everything that we have accomplished, I am truly awed and grateful for the volunteer spirit and "can do" attitude that I have encountered since taking office. I appreciate when the phone rings and it's someone with an idea for a speaker or a nomination for office-what better way to recognize a colleague and support your organization? Keep calling and e-mailing me-your ideas count and we have implemented several of them already this year.
     What's next? Aside from beginning to line up speakers for the 2002 Conference, I hope to begin the process of lining up legislative sponsors for the introduction of our amendment next year, along with getting with the Attorney General's Office to go over the statutory wording problems that the WBRTE has encountered along the way. Anyone want to come along? (Think of it as another Grassroots opportunity!)

Sincerely,

Starla Mason

WSRT Meeting in Jackson in 2002

     Mark your calendars-the 2002 WSRT Conference is set for September 5-7, 2002 in Jackson, at the Snow King Resort. A block of rooms has already been reserved for us at post-Labor Day rates of $125/single and $135/double. These rates are good up to two days before and after the conference dates, also, so you fan extend your stay to take advantage of all of the activities the Jackson-Teton area has to offer.
     This conference will be a collaborative effort with St. John's Hospital in Jackson as they will be helping us out with speakers and some of our meeting expenses. We are in the process of signing up speakers and planning activities, so if you have any requests or want to help out in any way, contact Starla Mason at 778-1391, the 2002 Conference Chair. (Watch future issues of the Cathode for more details.)
     So start saving your nickels, dimes, and dollars, and plan on coming to the WSRT's 45th Birthday in 2002!

WSRT Education Committee

     Don't forget that the WSRT sponsors Paper and Exhibit Competitions and that WSRT Grants are also available for both students and technologists. Deadline for submissions: July 1, 2001.

Calling All Volunteers...

     Due to family illnesses and other obligations, Robin Hobbs has had to resign her position as Education Chair for the remainder of the year. Responsibilities for this committee include sending out and reviewing grant and competition applications and setting up the Student Bowl Competition.
     Please consider trying this position out on a short-term basis or if you know someone who you think would be ideal, forward your/his/her name(s) to Starla. Thanks!

ASRT News

     Health care researchers will gain access to a powerful new research tool July 15 with the launch of a first-of-its-kind database by the Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology Data Alliance (MIRODA). The result of a collaboration among eight accreditation, certification and professional organizations in the radiologic sciences, the MIRODA database will contain demographic information on more than 200,000 radiologic science professionals. It is the only centralized source of information on these allied health professionals.
     Researchers interested in accessing the database must apply for permission by filling out an application form at the MIRODA Web site, www.miroda.org. According to MIRODA guidelines, the data may be used only for scientific, academic, public policy or health care research. Commercial use of the data is not allowed.
     On the application form, researchers are required to describe their project and provide background information about the investigators. They also must agree to provide a copy of their research results to MIRODA.
     Applications for permission to use the database must be submitted by June 1, 2001, and will be reviewed by a committee comprised of representatives of MIRODA organizations. Researchers will be notified by Aug. 15 regarding whether their application is approved.
     To protect the confidentiality of the individuals whose records were used to create the database, researchers will not be given direct access to MIRODA data. A third-party mail house will conduct all surveys and mailings requested by researchers using the database.
     Information contained in the database includes each radiologic technologist’s name, mailing address, year of birth and sex. The database will be expanded to include additional demographic information in the future.
     “MIRODA’s mission is to make it faster and easier for researchers to access the information they need about radiologic science professionals,” said Lynn May, chief executive officer of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists. “In an environment where policy decisions are driven by data, the radiologic sciences have been neglected by researchers for too long. We hope the MIRODA database helps increase the quality and quantity of research in the profession.”
     Development of the MIRODA database is a significant achievement, said Jerry Reid, executive director of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. “An accurate and complete listing of radiologic science professionals is essential for conducting research on the profession,” he said. “The MIRODA database will be the most complete listing that’s ever existed. This is a major step forward for the profession.”
     Organizations contributing to the MIRODA database are the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, the Association of Educators in Radiological Sciences Inc., the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology, the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board, the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board and the Society of Nuclear Medicine-Technologist Section.
     For more information about MIRODA and its participating organizations, visit the MIRODA Web site at www.miroda.org.

NUCLEAR MEDICINE TECHNOLOGIST ELECTED TO LEAD ASRT IN 2002-2003

     In a close national election, members of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists have chosen Donna Newman, B.A., R.T.(R), CNMT, as their president-elect. She will take office at the ASRT Annual Conference, June 2-6 in Orlando, Fla. Ms. Newman is a staff nuclear medicine technologist at Meritcare Medical Health Systems in Fargo, N.D. A member of ASRT since 1993, she previously served as the organizations vice president and secretary-treasurer. Ms.Newman also has been an active member of the North Dakota Society of Radiologic Technologists.
     As president-elect, Ms. Newman will serve three years on the ASRT Board of Directors: one year as president-elect, one year as president and one year as chairman of the Board. Her presidential year will run from June 2002 to June 2003.
     In other election results, ASRT members chose Eileen Maloney, M.Ed., R.T.(R)(M), FASRT, for the office of vice president and Dawn M. Fearn, M.A., R.T.(R)(T)(QM), CMD for the office of secretary-treasurer. Ms. Maloney is program director and a professor of radiography at Passaic County Community College in Paterson, N.J. Ms. Fearn is director of the radiation therapy program at the Medical Institute of Minnesota in Bloomington. Both women will begin their one-year terms of office at the ASRT Annual Conference in June, where current ASRT President Michael DelVecchio, B.S., R.T.(R), will turn over the reigns to incoming president Allen Terrell, M.S., R.T.(R)(MR).
     ASRT elections take place each February, with members asked to fill three Board positions as well as to choose R.T.s to represent them in the ASRT House of Delegates. All active members are eligible to vote. Of the 83,560 ballots mailed in this year's election, only 4,410 were returned, for a 5.2 percent response rate. This is the lowest voter response in an ASRT election in more than a decade.
     Founded in 1920, the ASRT is the world's largest radiologic science organization. The ASRT provides its members with educational opportunities, promotes radiologic technology as a career, and monitors state and federal legislation that affects the profession.

     The 2000 Diagnostic Imaging Technologist -Chief Master Sargent Anton Zembrod Award will be awarded to Nina “Patty” Cummings RT (R) (M), Technical Sergeant and NCOIC at F. E. Warren Air Force Base this coming May.
     Patty is the director and lead mammographer at the F. E. Warren medical clinical. She is also a co-clinical supervisor for the radiography program at LCCC.
     This award is the highest honor the Air Force gives to its radiographers and is one that Patty more than deserves. Patty’s commitment to the imaging field is demonstrated best by her commitment to her patients and her country.
     Under her leadership, the small radiology department has been rated in the top 15% of all Department of Defense’s medical treatment facilities. Patty was invited to attend an international breast imaging conference in Heidleberg, Germany and represented the Air Force at the National Forum on Breast Wellness and Prevention in Washington D.C. and the National Breast Cancer Conference in San Diego, California. She has received many awards for improving the patient care and imaging process at F. E. Warren as well as working to improve the learning process for younger airmen and LCCC radiography students.
     Patty is very active in her community too! She teaches in the Laramie County Breast and Cervical Cancer Coalition, is a health educator for the Cheyenne Senior Citizens Center, and lectures on self breast examinations during the Cinco de Mayo festival. She personally raised $1000 last year for the Komen Research Foundation. She works both personally and professionally for those issues that are important to her.
     She is an active member of the WSRT and the ASRT and is an alumni of LCCC. What an honor it is for me to write about Patty for doing something so extraordinary and yet, be so humble and unassuming. Patty is what I would call, the example being set and the standard being met.
     Congratulations, Patty, I know that you have made your x-ray family proud. You have shown all of us what one dedicated professional can do to make a difference.
     Your work reflects the highest standard that should be provided by our profession.

Other Appointments & Elections

     Congratulations to Linda Holden who was elected to a two-year term as Secretary-Treasurer of the Association of Collegiate Educators in Radiologic Technology (ACERT).
     Congratulations to Mike Lewis who was appointed by Lianna Watson, ASRT Speaker of the House, to the ASRT’s Committee on Chapters for the next year. This committee is responsible for making recommendations for setting policies concerning the ASRT’s various chapters, as well as chapter delegates responsibilities and reimbursements.

     I’ve received the new WSRT pins, and I'm really pleased with the results. As you recall we used the WSRT logo and used the colors: gold, white, blue, green, and purple. I don't know what else you would like to know about them, but I ordered 500, and I had to go with a larger size due to the amount of detail on the design. With the bigger size the cost went up a little. The total cost was $535.00.
     The RELAY FOR LIFE is rapidly approaching. Relay for Life is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Association, Laramie County Unit. It begins at 3:00 pm on Friday, June 15th and ends 3:00 pm on Saturday, June 16th at Okie Blanchard Stadium. At the relay, each participant receives a T-shirt, water bottle, and other great stuff. There is a number of activities during the relay which include live bands, karaoke, a pajama party, dancing, pizza party, pancake breakfast, and a Saturday picnic. It basically is a big sleep over at Okie Blanchard in tents or R.V.'s, (or you can come and go), and the participants take turns walking the tract throughout the event. Our theme is the "Blues Brothers". We still have room for more team members, and would love to include more radiology technologist to show our community that we CARE. All that is asked of each member is to raise at least $100.00 and come have some great fun. If you are interested, please contact Kelly Hartigan at H 632-2424 or W 778-7319. (hartigankel@yahoo.com)
     I am going to auction off a print (a buffalo painted on a wild turkey feather) to raise money for the Relay for Life. I am selling the tickets for $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. Thank you very much!

Connie Colvin remembered....

     When I moved to Casper, I had the good fortune to work with some pretty special people. What is even nicer is that all of them are still my very good friends, even though I have been gone from Casper since 1985.
     While at the WSRT board meeting, one of my Casper friends told me of the untimely death of Connie Colvin. I was deeply saddened that one more sweet precious piece of humanity is gone from our family.
     Connie was a unique girl, shy before you got to know her. She was quiet but funny and sharing in her comfort zone. She was set in her ways, yet easy to talk to. She had a way about her that made you feel like you were with an innocent. I can see her in my mind's eye, she would turn her head and a little sparkle in her eyes would greet you. In those eyes you could see the little bit of devil that made her so endearing. She loved her family, pets and friends. She was loyal.
     Like all of us, she made her share of mistakes, but she took responsibility for them and proudly moved on. Connie suffered for many years while disease ravaged her weakening body. Still, she was a hard worker and a good friend to all of us. For my part, I know she will be missed.
     How do you measure the worth of your life on earth? I believe that it is whose lives you touched and whose hearts loved you.
     I remember Connie, she touched my life, my heart loved her and I will miss her. For those of you who didn't know Connie, I want you to remember that she was one of us. She was a good technologist, a good friend and a special human being. I am the better for having gotten to work with her and know her.
     This is the second time that I have written these words, but again I say, adios sweet pal. Save a place for me!

Linda K. Holden

WYOMING SOCIETY OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS COMPETITION AND GRANTS REQUEST

     The WSRT's Education Committee annually sponsors paper and exhibit competitions for both students and technologists at the WSRT Fall Conference held each September. Contestants are required to submit their paper or exhibit application to the Education Committee by July 1, 2000 in order to participate in this year's competitions. The papers are judged by WSRT members throughout the state, with the top three being selected to present a ten-minute synopsis of their research. The exhibits simply require that an application be completed by the deadline outlining the proposed topic and identifying any special equipment needs. A potential exhibitor should plan on setting up his/her exhibit independently on Friday of the conference with tear down on Saturday afternoon. Both the paper and exhibit competitions award $100 for first place entries, and slightly lower awards for two runners-up in each category.
     In addition to the competition, the Education Committee sponsors three WSRT Educational Grants for students and a Mickey Patch Scholarship Award for a technologist who is pursuing continuing education. Each of these grants is worth $300 and is awarded based on need and other factors. The deadline for the submission of the applications for these awards is also July 1,2000. Please note that these grants are only available to WSRT members in good standing.
     If you are interested in receiving more information and applications for any of these WSRT sponsored activities, please call Starla Mason or simply mail in the request form at the bottom of this page. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain!

WSRT Paper Competition Guidelines
WSRT Exhibit Competition Guidelines and Application
WSRT Educational Grant Guidelines and Application
WSRT Mickey Patch Scholarship for Technologists

Starla Mason
Wyoming Society of Radiologic Technologists
P.O. Box 5575
Cheyenne, WY 82003

      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 us on the Internet at http://www.wsrt.org/ or write to:

     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 notify us ASAP.

WSRT Board Meets in Wheatland

     The WSRT Board met on March 10, 2001 in Wheatland, WY. In addition to the reports of officers and committees, the following is a synopsis of the items discussed and the decisions voted on by WSRT Board members.
     1. The Board voted to pay the expenses for Gemini Janas and Starla Mason as WSRT representatives at RT in DC. (ASRT reimburses each affiliate $650 for those sending representatives to the event.) Expenses will be treated in the same manner as delegates representing the WSRT at the ASRT Conference.
     2. Discussion was held regarding the location of future WSRT conferences: whether it should be rotated geographically, decided by the Conference Chair, or voted on by the membership. The Board's consensus was that the final decision will be made by the Conference Chair, with consideration being given to varying the geographical location each year in order to better serve the membership throughout the state.
     3. Due to the introduction of HB 153 in this past legislative session, the Board weighed the pros and cons of introducing amendments to the current licensure statute covering DXA scanning, license suspension, and continuing education requirements. Board members voted to attempt to introduce these items in the next Legislature. Although next year's session is a Budget session, which will make it difficult to get it on the floor, it was decided that the WSRT should make the attempt to amend the current statute; if this first attempt is not successful, it will still provide a good opportunity to build a strong base of support and strategy for the next year's session.
     4. Kelly Hartigan shared several pin design ideas with the Board. Approval was given to her to finalize and purchase Wyoming's pin for the ASRT Pin Exchange in Orlando. She also shared information about the possibility of the WSRT participating as a team in the Cancer Relay for Life.
     5. Ideas were solicited for WSRT's donation to the ASRT's Silent Auction in Orlando. Kelly volunteered to obtain a buffalo limited edition print painted by her mother, and Peggy will donate a pink ribbon scrub.
     6. Peggy Jereb reported on her research thus far on obtaining Board Liability insurance for the WSRT. A preliminary quote was obtained; however, the insurance companies need additional WSRT information before a more reliable figure can be given. Peggy is to gather this information and pursue her inquiries further and hopefully obtain quotes for the next Board Meeting scheduled in September 2001.
     7. Starla reported that she had contacted Leigh Copeland of St. John's Hospital in Jackson and had also reserved a block of rooms at the Snow King Resort for September 5-7, 2002. Although this is about two weeks earlier than normal, weather should not be a problem as far as transportation of speakers and registrants. In addition, these dates allow the WSRT to get a post-Labor Day conference rate. These dates will be advertised in the upcoming issue of the Cowboy Cathode in order to give WSRT members as much advance notice as possible so that they may plan accordingly.
     8. Nominees were also suggested for the Wyoming Board of Radiologic Technologists Examiners since Shelley Breazeale's term is up this year. Board members were asked to forward additional nominations to Starla by the end of March, so that she can forward these to the Governor's Office in April.
     9. Congratulations were extended to Linda Holden for being elected Secretary/Treasurer of ACERT in February. In addition, she and Kelly Hartigan both made the ASRT ballot: Linda for Vice President, and Kelly for Region 3 Ultrasound Delegate.
     The next WSRT Board Meeting will be the Pre-conference Board Meeting to be held in Cheyenne at the Holiday Inn on September 20, 2001.

ASRT Leadership Academy

     If you've always wanted to learn about Parliamentary Procedure, Association Law, and network with other RT's from around the country, but have never gotten around to it, then the ASRT's Leadership Academy scheduled for January 2002 may be just what you're looking for. Past Leadership Academy grads Mike Lewis and Starla Mason highly recommend the experience. Applications are due to the ASRT August 1, 2001 for the 2002 Academy. Contact Starla at 778-1391 or smason@lccc.cc.wy.us for an application.

     Six students are getting ready to graduate on May 18th. They are Misty Engstrom, Amanda Woodell, C.W. Arterbery, Melissa Wolfe, Devon Herriott and Courtney Brose. Many are moving on to some very exciting job opportunities. Others will continue their education and specialize.
     Casper College welcomes our new group of students. Eleven will begin their education in the field of radiography starting in June. We welcome Vitoria Vick, Kelsey Hamilton, Jessie Graham, Mike Burgess, Tandie Evans, Kermit Haman, Amber Smith, Amy Nehl, Mark LeGrande, Kayci Stripling and Tiffany Tayloe.
     Casper College now has an affiliate agreement with the Oregon Health Institute and will be offering a program in radiation therapy in Casper starting this Fall. For more information contact Laurie Weaver at 307-268-2587.

LCCC News...

     Congratulations to the Class of 2001! These graduates will receive their degree on May 15, 2001, and will be "released" for the Registry and full time employment in July: Leonard Geringer, Carey Kreiling, Dave Lupton, Sally Miles, Billie Opdyke, Kristin Pitts, Jaime Rhoades, Wendy Wieland, and Sharon Young.
     Ultrasound Program Begins -
     Laramie County Community College launched its new advanced certification program in ultrasound in January of this year. Six radiographers are currently enrolled in the flagship ultrasound class.
     The program is an 18 month program that is a fast track for allied health professionals to gain a new medical certification. Courses are taught on alternate week ends during the spring and fall semesters. The summer and final spring semester is where the novice sonographers practice their learned skills in a clinical setting.
     There is one final capstone course at the end of the second spring semester for registry review.
     After 900 clinical hours, course and exam competency completion the student sonographer is eligible to take the ARDMS or the ARRT national registry in both abdomen and ob/gyn specialities. It is hoped that future specialties in cardiac and vascular imaging will be added to the program.
     This new program is one of many the college hopes to implement in aiding imaging professionals and other allied health professionals in getting advanced certifications and maintaining continuing education requirements.
     The next class will begin in January of 2002. Applications will be taken after August 1 and no later than October 1. New students will be selected and announced by December 1. You are encouraged to go to the college web site at www.lcc.whecn.edu/sono/info.htm. where you can apply on line or download the application so that you can send it in with other pertinent materials needed for the application.

Are You In Need of Breast
Education Credits?

     Laramie County Community College now offers 15 ECE hours and one college credit hour in breast imaging. The course meets the criterion of continuing education and has been approved by the ASRT, ARRT and the MQSA regulations for mammography continuing education.
     In conjunction with the new ultrasound program, in the fall when the ultrasound class begins IMAG 2235 Small Parts Sonography, two of the classes that cover breast anatomy, imaging and pathology will be offered to mammographers.
     The two-day course is open to any credentialed RT (R) or RT (R) (M) mammographer. The two-day course will be in conjunction with the Ultrasound imaging course that covers small parts imaging.
     To demonstrate completion the attendee must participate in all activities and take the ultrasound breast exam. After completion, the attendee will receive a certificate of completion and 1 credit hour.

Course Nunber: IMAG 2490:60
Topic: CE in Breast Imaging
Room: SC 138
Date: July 28 and Aug 12
Time: 7:30 to 5:30
Cost: $63.00 for 1 credit hour
Lab Fee: $37.00

     If anyone is interested in taking the two-day course, call LCCC at 1-307-778-1127.

WSRT Sends Delegates to RT in DC

     The WSRT helped do its part to garner support for the CARE Bill (HR 1011) recently introduced by U.S. Representative Heather Wilson. The ASRT sponsored RT in DC for the fourth year in Washington, D.C. in support of its grass roots efforts to pass federal minimum standards in licensing and certification of radiologic technologists.
     Delegates from 35 states met between March 24-27. An all day session on Monday covered tips and trends in state licensing efforts, followed by the ins and outs of Capitol Hill: dealing with Legislative Assistants, getting your point across in a brief amount of time, delay/deflecting tactics to watch out for, etc. Several delegates from states where there is still no licensure of any kind (South Dakota, North Dakota, Nevada, Alabama, Missouri, to name a few) shared some of the examples of poor practice with the other delegates prior to the Capitol Hill visits. For example, in one hospital, if there are no staff available, the janitors have even been pressed into service. In another case, an unlicensed and untrained individual was hired. An example radiograph was hung on the viewbox for him/her to go by. S/he was then told to "just keep shooting until you get that." Another delegate brought copies of pediatric films submitted by an untrained technician in her state just the week before. In both cases, half the anatomy was coned off. Both films had been submitted to be read by the radiologist despite this. Unfortunately, these are not isolated cases, and are just a sampling of the poor quality of patient care occurring in medical imaging in states where licensure and training standards have not been passed.
     Armed with this knowledge, Gemini Janas, Legislative Co-chair, and Starla Mason, WSRT President set out to visit Wyoming's Congressional delegation on Tuesday. The following are their impressions and results.
     First stop: Barbara Cubin's office where we met with Legislative Assistant Jonni McCrann. After sharing our concerns and information about the need for the CARE Bill, we heard that States' rights was a fundamental consideration with Rep. Cubin, making it unlikely that she would sponsor the bill. However, we agreed to follow-up with more data documenting undesirable patient outcomes once the ASRT makes this available (which they had said they will provide and distribute in the near future.)
     Next stop: Senator Michael Enzi. Got to meet with the senator himself and a legislative assistant. Shared the facts about the CARE Bill. Heard about states' rights again (Hmmm...do I detect a trend here?) Did make some headway(?), however, as Senator Enzi did express his willingness to sponsor a licensure bill for the District of Columbia as they are one of the "states" without licensure, and they don't have anyone else to do it for them. Best exit line of the day (from Gemini): "Yep, everyone supports this bill but Senator Michael Enzi..." (It's a good thing he appears to have a good sense of humor.)
     Last stop: Senator Craig Thomas. Met with Senator Thomas with the requisite legislative assistant. Although he did discuss his support of our "mission" (in principle) and that his wife participates in the Race for the Cure on a regular basis, he remained non-committal at this session. Small world story: On the way to dinner that night on a street corner in DC twenty blocks away from our initial meeting earlier, we literally bumped into Senator Thomas and his wife. So we got to meet her, too. Maybe we got an "in" there by accident?
     Wrap up session: At the end of the day, we all reported the results of our efforts. We were not alone in hearing the states' rights argument; this seems to be the primary "sticking point" and philosophical issue impeding this legislation on the Hill. Fortunately, several delegates had better luck than we did, as 35 representatives had signed on as co-sponsors for the bill by the end of the day due to this "grassroots" effort.
     Other trip highlights: Getting bumped "up" to Business Class (and eating off real dishes while sitting in recliners watching our own personal video screens-let Gemini book all of your trips!); a tour of the White House (courtesy of Senator Thomas' office and someone named Gayle Geringer....), a visit to the Holocaust Museum, and a quick look at one floor of one Smithsonian Museum; and networking with some of the profession's best and brightest!!! Thank you, WSRT, for giving this opportunity to represent and serve you in this capacity!
     If you want to help the ASRT further in this effort, log onto their web page for more information about the CARE Bill and the other organizations supporting it. And the #1 thing you can do to support us: write to Senators Enzi, Thomas, and Representative Cubin expressing your support of the CARE Bill (Senator Enzi stated that one thing he liked better about serving at the state level vs. the national level is that he heard more from his constituents, so they want/need to hear from you!) Finally, the last thing you can do is to be ready and willing to show off your department/profession to our Washington delegation and/or their legislative assistants because we invited them to do so when they are back in the state during session breaks! (So set another place at the table, just in case!)

     The following individuals are running for office for the WSRT. The ballots will be mailed to each voting member in the next couple of months. We ask that each of you please take a few minutes to vote for the candidate of your choice.

     I am a 1991 graduate of Western Wyoming Community College with an AAS in Radiologic Technology. I currently hold my ARRT credentials for Radiography and Computed Tomography. Over the past ten years I have worked at several Wyoming facilities as a temp, but I have spent nearly eight of those years at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County in Rock Springs where I am currently the Chief Technologist.
     I hope to earn your personal and professional respect as your president-elect by being a strong supporter of professional education, communication, and representation. Each one of us face similar challenges in our work; short staffing, increased demand for our services, and shaky professional morale to name a few. We all are aware of the challenges faced by the WSRT during its routine operations, the greatest one being the distance between its members, officers, and the rest of the technologists who are neither. Wyoming is as vast and diverse in its work environments as it is in its geography. The WSRT must be a resource and a voice for all the radiologic technologists within our state, not just those who are in close proximity to our precious few rad. tech. colleges. Historically, the WSRT is only talked about at conference time. I don't hear my co-workers discussing articles in the recent "Cathode", or calling a fellow WSRT member for assistance finding a solution to a problem. I believe this must change. The officers of the WSRT must set the example for the rest of the Society to follow by encouraging involvement of all members, and making our presence known to those technologists who do not yet belong to our Society. With everyone's help and encouragement we can continue the WSRT's tradition of education and improve our presence across the state through the communication of our members and the dissemination of our educational information and resources through a well organized, friendly, state-wide network. Together we can make the WSRT not just a once a year conference, but a resource that all technologists can call upon for information and support anytime.

     Greg Shiek makes his home in Sheridan, WY and is employed at Memorial Hospital of Sheridan County, where he makes use of all three registries behind his name, (R)(CT)(T). He received his Associates degree at Western Wyoming Community College and recently returned to being a student by going to Weber State for a year to work on his Bachelors and receive his Radiation Therapy certificate.
     Greg's significant other is Cheri Hale, also a technologist at Sheridan. Greg got the premade family when he moved in with Cheri, which takes up all their free time. Greg is excited about being involved in the WSRT and believes firmly in the professionalism of Health Sciences.

Membership Statistics

     Here are the most current membership statistics as of May 19, 2001:

Life Members - 12
RT Members - 107
Student Members - 25
Non-RT Members - 1
Support Members - 2
Inactive RT Members - 2

Total 149

WSRT Membership Fees

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