The publication of the Oregon Society of Radiologic Technologists
A New Year Approaches!
As 2006 comes to an end, I think of the many years I have been a member of the Radiography profession. I became an R.T. in 1973, a mere 33 years ago! How time flies when you enjoy what you are doing!
I have witnessed many changes in the technology during the past three decades and also so many more opportunities for radiographers to explore. To this day, I still enjoy looking at images and marveling at the human body. What we do is so valuable to diagnosis and treatment.
Many of you are now using digital imaging systems while others are still doing traditional film/screen imaging. Regardless of how you obtain the images, your goals should be the same: the highest quality images with the least amount of patient exposure. An acronym that should never go out of style is:
ALARA-
I hope to see many of you at OSRT's 2007 Annual Educational Meeting. We have a great variety of topics and presenters. Please refer to the meeting information that is on the website for dates and location.
The current OSRT board is comprised of very dedicated individuals, many who have served on the board for a number of years. We would encourage you to consider participating in the Society as an officer or on a committee to add new voices and ideas to our meetings. We will be electing officers at the April meeting, so if interested, contact our Vice President, who's email is listed on our website, and she can have your name on the ballot. If you wish to serve on a committee, contact any officer and they can assist you.
In closing, I wish you health and happiness in the New Year.
Virginia Vanderford
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OSRT Congratulates Sheryl Maia!
OSRT would like to congratulate Portland
Community College student, Sheryl Maia, who received the 2006
$500 OSRT scholarship.
Second year Portland Community College Radiography student Sheryl Maia (right)
receiving the $500 OSRT scholarship from college president Preston Pulliams (left)
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A Message From the President of OSRT
Summer greetings to all! I hope you are enjoying your summer and are finding
time to relax and smell the roses! This is my third year in Oregon and I
continue to marvel at the beauty of this state, and of course, the people who
live here!
I just wanted to share a few things
with you. As you know, the annual ASRT meeting was held in Denver from June
9-14. Attending this meeting from Oregon were Susan Castanette, Randy Harp,
Tom King, Bart Pierce, Robbyn Scriven, Barbara Smith and myself. One of the
highlights of the meeting was the presentation on Molecular Imaging and the
future scanning possibilities in medical imaging.
Although you can go to the ASRT website
for a summary of the resolutions discussed during the House of Delegates, I
will briefly tell you about two of the hottest issues!
The resolution concerning retesting for certification resulted in an excellent discussion about the need to assess the performance of professionals as an on-going process. But the consensus was this-a test does not measure performance and that was really at the heart of this resolution. The author was there to discuss his reasons behind writing the amendment and his intentions were for the good of the profession. As a result of all that was said, it was agreed that the profession needs to find ways to encourage effective assessment by management in the workplace. There will be more discussion and focus groups for this topic.
The RA/RPA debate was quickly tempered when the author of several resolutions submitted a substitute resolution that will allow both sides to meet as a committee and see how these issues can be resolved. This was an impressive moment during the two sessions of the House.
I also want to use this message as an opportunity to let you know that the OSRT board is discussing options for ways to sustain quality educational meetings and maintain our budget. We are experiencing increased costs for meeting rooms, food prices (which are used in lieu room prices) and speaker expenses. The board has tried to keep registration fees the same for a number of years. However, in order to meet the expenses of our meetings the fees will need to increase. We, the board, feel that it is important to notify members now so that you are not surprised in the future.
In closing, we are always looking for new participants for committees and also to run for office. If you might be interested but want to see how the board functions and what opportunities are available, please attend one of our board meetings. Our next meeting is August 5th at our office in Salem.
You can also contact me at: if you would like to discuss any issues with me.
Sincerely,
Virginia Vanderford
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2006 R.T. in D.C.
Susan Castanette, RT (R) and Virginia Vanderford, RT (R)
attended the March 12-14 R.T. in D.C. meeting. This ASRT event has been
sponsored for the past 7 years in an effort to gain legislative support of the
CARE (Consumer Assurance of Radiologic Excellence) bill. They met with
the legislative assistants of Senator's Smith and Wyden and Representatives
Walden, Wu and Hooley. The CARE bill would require states to adopt
minimum standards for the education and credentialing of individuals who plan
and deliver radiation therapy treatments and perform every type of
medical-imaging examinations except sonography. At the time of the
meeting, there were 113 cosponsors in the House. The Senate bill had
just been introduced and only had two sponsors. The ASRT has notified
attendees that following the meeting, there are now 118 cosponsors in the
House and 4 in the Senate. It is hoped that this year will be the year
the bills pass.
Virginia Vanderford, M.Ed., RT, (R)(M)
Director, Medical Imaging
Portland Community College
503-977-4907
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From the Editor:
I believe it is important for the membership to receive news
about their professional organization. I want to encourage everyone to follow up
and access your website www.oregonsrt.org periodically for the latest
information. Our webmaster, Terry Pleger is doing a great job keeping the site
updated monthly. Let me know what's happening in your area. Refer to the
directory and send me or anyone on the board your comments. Write an article,
stimulate discussion among the membership, and attend the quarterly board
meetings. Watch for the next version of the Skiagram coming to you
electronically.
Diane
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The Skiagram is the official publication of the Oregon Society of Radiologic Technologists. The views expressed in the Skiagram do no necessarily represent those of the Editor or of the Oregon Society of Radiologic Technologists. The editor reserves the right to edit for space and grammar. The editor also reserves the right to refuse to publish inflammatory information at their discretion.