Technologist News

SNMMI TECHNOLOGIST SECTION PRESENTS AWARDS, ELECTS NEW OFFICERS AT 2013 ANNUAL MEETING

More than 5,700 physicians, technologists, physicists, scientists, and exhibitors gathered at the SNMMI 2013 Annual Meeting, held June 8–12, in Vancouver, British Columbia. In addition to the more than 110 continuing education sessions, more than 2,000 scientific papers and posters were presented at the meeting and more than 150 companies were represented on the exhibit hall floor.

During the meeting, SNMMI-TS inducted new officers, who will serve through June 2014. Several technologists were also recognized for their outstanding contributions to nuclear medicine, molecular imaging, and the society.

JNMT BEST PAPERS FOR 2012

Norman Bolus, MSPH, MPH, CNMT, FSNMMI-TS, the editor of JNMT, selected the following 3 research papers as the best for 2012. The lead authors or their representatives received plaques in a ceremony during the SNMMI-TS business meeting at the annual meeting.

 • Leah R. Walters, Katherine J. Martin, Mark S. Jacobson, Joseph C. Hung, and Elton A. Mosman. Stability evaluation of ¹⁸F-FDG at high radioactive concentrations. J Nucl Med Technol. 2012;40:52–56.

 • Annah Skillen, Geoffrey M. Currie, and Janelle M. Wheat. Thermal control of brown adipose tissue in ¹⁸F-FDG PET. J Nucl Med Technol. 2012;40:99–103.

 • Robert Schleipman and Victor H. Gerbaudo. Occupational radiation dosimetry assessment using an automated infusion device for positron-emitting radiotracers. J Nucl Med Technol. 2012;40:244–248.

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From left to right: Geoffrey M. Currie, M MedRadSc (Nuc Med), MAppMngt (Hlth), MBA, PhD, Mary Beth Farrell, MS, CNMT, NCT, Sue Abreu, MD, JD, FACNM, Brenda J. King, CNMT, FSNMMI-TS (President), Mark S. Jacobson, BSc, Hons Biochemistry, Joseph C. Hung, PhD, and Norman E. Bolus, MSPH, MPH, CNMT, FSNMMI-TS (Editor)

In addition, the following paper was selected as JNMT Editors’ Choice Award for Best Continuing Education Paper in 2012.

Mary Beth Farrell and Sue H. Abreu. A practical guide to quality improvement in nuclear medicine. J Nucl Med Technol. 2012;40:211–219.

2013–2014 SNMMI-TS OFFICERS

Scott Holbrook

SNMMI-TS introduced a new slate of officers during the annual meeting. Scott Holbrook, BS, CNMT, FSNMMI-TS, a pharmaceutical research and regulatory affairs consultant at Invivo Molecular Imaging LLC from Gray, Tennessee, assumed the office of president for 2013–2014.

“It is an exciting time for the nuclear medicine and molecular imaging field, in particular because of the new technologies that are available,” said Holbrook. “As SNMMI-TS president, I hope to facilitate the transition of these new products into routine clinical practice, providing education and research opportunities for technologists.”

Among the ways Holbrook plans to achieve this goal is by providing high-quality professional development for practicing technologists and expanding opportunities in nontraditional environments. Understanding the role that state regulations play in the practice of nuclear medicine technology, Holbrook will also lead the Society’s advocacy efforts to promote a favorable environment for the field, with a focused state-by-state approach.

Also during the meeting, SNMMI-TS announced the election of April Mann, BA, CNMT, NCT, RT(N), FSNMMI-TS, of South Hadley, Massachusetts, and a manager of noninvasive cardiology at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut, as the 2013–2014 president-elect.

April Mann

“Over the past several years many changes in nuclear medicine have played a significant role in molding the future of the modality,” said Mann. “While there have been many positive changes, our field continues to face external pressures—scrutiny due to patient radiation exposure, continued perceptions of overutilization of testing, decreases in reimbursement, and the nation’s economy contributing to loss of technologist jobs. I hope to address many of these challenges during my time as president-elect.”

During her term, Mann will also focus on quality and safety issues for both technologists and patients. She will work to continue collaborations with peer organizations to create initiatives that increase public awareness of the many benefits of nuclear medicine procedures. In addition to developing these collaborations, Mann will develop training opportunities for technologists to fill many of the various career paths available within the field today.

Other officers elected to SNMMI-TS include Anthony W. Knight, MBA, CNMT, RT(N)(ARRT), NCT, as secretary, James T. Timpe, MS, CRA, RT(N)(MR)(ARRT), as finance committee member, and Bryan R. Kerr, CNMT, PET, NCT, RT(N)(CT)(ARRT), and Crystal Botkin, MPH, CNMT, PET, as delegates-at-large.

SNMMI-TS OUTSTANDING TECHNOLOGIST AWARD

Brenda King and Rebecca Sajdak

Rebecca A. Sajdak, BGIS, CNMT, RT(N), FSNMMI-TS, senior staff technologist at Loyola University Medical Center, Section of Nuclear Medicine, in Maywood, Illinois, was awarded the 2013 SNMMI-TS Outstanding Technologist Award. On the national level, Sajdak has served on the NCOR and on the house of delegates. She has also been involved with the SNMMI Clinical Trials Network, the SNMMI-TS committee on chapters, and the SNMMI committee on guidelines, as well as other groups. She is currently secretary/treasurer of the Central chapter of SNMMI and has held several leadership roles within the chapter.

SNMMI-TS OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR AWARD

Pamela Aldermann

Pamela S. Alderman, BSRS, CNMT, was awarded the SNMMI-TS Outstanding Educator Award. With nearly 40 years of experience, Alderman served as a staff technologist at multiple hospitals before becoming a clinical coordinator and then program director for Baylor University Medical Center’s nuclear medicine technology program. She currently serves on the SNMMI-TS entry-level curriculum subcommittee and is a past cochair of the transition task force and past chair of the educators’ committee. Alderman is also an active member of the SNMMI-TS Southwestern chapter, where she was 2011–2012 president, in addition to serving in several other leadership roles.

PRESIDENTIAL DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

The 2013 SNMMI-TS Presidential Distinguished Service Award was presented to Cynae Derose, CNMT, and Lynne T. Roy, MBA, CNMT, FSNMMI-TS, at the annual meeting.

Cynae Derose

Derose is currently pursuing a master’s degree in health policy from Northwestern University, in Chicago, Illinois, as well as a master’s in health law from Loyola University, also in Chicago. She began her career at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where she served as staff nuclear medicine technologist/wet lab specialist and as a PET/CT lead technologist and clinical instructor. An SNMMI-TS member since 2003, Derose has been an active participant in the Central chapter, where she is the 2013 president.

Lynne Roy

Roy is currently the director of imaging at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. She has been a guest lecturer at many national and international meetings and is the author of many articles. She is a past president of the SNMMI-TS and currently serves as the chair of the SNMMI-TS advocacy committee. She is an active member of AHRA (Association for Medical Imaging Management) and presently serves as chair of the university health consortium imaging council.

SNMMI-TS FELLOWSHIP AWARDS

Six individuals were inducted into the SNMMI-TS fellow category. These members have demonstrated leadership and have made a significant contribution to the profession of nuclear medicine technology at the national level. Selection of SNMMI-TS fellows is based on their demonstration of exemplary contributions in the following areas: participation in professional activities, education, professional experience, professional contributions, and civic activities.

Fellowships are awarded at the SNMMI-TS annual business meeting each year during the annual meeting. SNMMI-TS fellowship awardees receive the designation FSNMMI-TS, a memorial plaque, and a pin signifying their fellow status.

Ann Marie Alessi, BS, CNMT, NCT, RT(N), FSNMMI-TS, currently serves as product sales manager of nuclear medicine at Biodex Medical Systems, Inc., Shirley, New York. Since 1996, Alessi has served on numerous councils and committees for SNMMI-TS, and throughout her career she has been involved with the organization on many levels, including as 2011–2012 president. She belongs to the Greater New York chapter of SNMMI-TS and the Long Island Society of Nuclear Medicine Technology. She published 4 book chapters in the Nuclear Cardiology Technology Study Guide and has shared her knowledge in more than 50 invited speaker presentations.

Anne Marie Alessi

Mark H. Crosthwaite, MEd, CNMT, PET, FSNMMI-TS, is currently associate professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. Previously, he held positions at VA Medical Center in Butler, Pennsylvania, as a staff technologist and at Saint Vincent Health Center in Erie, Pennsylvania, as chief technologist and, later, as program director for nuclear medicine technology. Crosthwaite has held several leadership positions within SNMMI-TS, including secretary and Mid-Eastern SNMMI-TS chapter president for multiple terms. Crosthwaite has also served on the board of directors for the NMTCB and as editor of In Service Reviews in Nuclear Medicine Technology.

Mark Crosthwaite

Elizabeth C. Hackett, RT(N)(CT), PET, FSNMMI-TS, is the research manager for the Division of Translational Imaging at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University Medical Center, in New York, New York. Elizabeth has been involved with the SNMMI-TS since 1997. An SNMMI-TS Leadership Academy alumnus, Elizabeth currently serves on the national house of delegates, is chair of the SNMMI-TS continuing education committee, and sits on the professional development task force, membership committee, committee on chapters, and new professionals working group. Hackett is also president of the Greater New York chapter–technologist section and is the recipient of the 2012 SNMTS Outstanding Technologist Award.

Elizabeth Hackett

Anthony W. Knight, MBA, CNMT, RT(N), NCT, FSNMMI-TS, is currently the director for the University of Iowa’s Nuclear Medicine Technology Program. He is also a PhD candidate in higher education with an emphasis on education psychology and measurement. Knight serves on the SNMMI-TS NCOR, house of delegates, educators’ committee, and membership committee. He is a member of several councils and the Missouri Valley SNMMI-TS chapter.

Anthony Knight

Angela Macci-Bires, EdD, MPM, RT(N), CNMT, FSNMMI-TS, is department head of health sciences and program director of nuclear medicine at Robert Morris University in Moon Township, Pennsylvania. She received her bachelor of science degree from Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, West Virginia; her master of public management degree from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and her doctorate of education, IDPEL (Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program for Educational Leaders), from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Macci-Bires has served SNMMI-TS in several capacities, including the academic council and the educators’ committee. She is a member of the Pittsburgh SNMMI-TS chapter.

Angela Macci-Bires

Aaron T. Scott, MIS, NMAA, CNMT, FSNMMI-TS, is currently a nuclear medicine advanced associate at Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville, Georgia. He has served in several leadership positions within the SNMMI-TS, including as delegate-at-large and on the strategic planning committee. On the local level Scott is involved with the Southeastern SNMMI chapter–technologist section and the Georgia Society of Nuclear Medicine, having served as president of both organizations. Scott also received the SNMMI-TS Outstanding Technologist Award in 2009.

Aaron Scott

SNMMI-TS PRESIDENT’S PLAQUE

Brenda J. King, CNMT, FSNMMI-TS, was awarded the SNMMI-TS president’s plaque and gavel for her service as 2012–2013 president for the section. King is the owner of BJ King & Associates, LLC, a company that offers advanced imaging accreditation consultation to hospitals and private practice imaging centers nationwide. She began her career in nuclear medicine technology more than 35 years ago as a radiopharmacy/nuclear medicine technologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. She then moved to work on the industry side, working for Amersham, Bristol Meyers Squibb Medical Imaging, and Cardinal Health.

King has served in many positions in SNMMI-TS, most recently as president, speaker for NCOR, on the SNMMI house of delegates and on the SNMMI-TS executive board, as well as on the SNMMI nominating committee, committee on councils, committee on chapters, and the SNMMI-TS physician–technologist task force. She has also served the SNMMI-TS Pacific Southwest chapter as president, president-elect, and secretary and on multiple committees.

SNMMI-TS ABSTRACT AWARD WINNERS 2013

STUDENT CATEGORY AWARDS