SNMMI TECHNOLOGIST SECTION PRESENTS AWARDS, ELECTS NEW OFFICERS AT 2017 ANNUAL MEETING
More than 5,000 physicians, technologists, physicists, scientists, and exhibitors gathered at the SNMMI 2017 annual meeting, held June 10–14, in Denver, Colorado. The meeting had more than 700 scientific oral sessions, as well as sessions on new tracers and applications, emerging technologies, updates on appropriate use criteria and coding and reimbursement, and 99Mo production and availability. Three Meet-the-Author poster sessions were also held, and the Exhibit Hall provided a one-stop showcase for cutting-edge molecular imaging devices, products, and services. The CT and MRI Case Reviews, presented in collaboration with the University of Colorado Denver, included 52 CT studies and 48 MRI case studies.
During the meeting, SNMMI-TS inducted new officers, who will serve through June 2018. A number of technologists were also recognized for their outstanding contributions to nuclear medicine, molecular imaging, and the society.
OUTSTANDING JNMT ARTICLES
The editor of JNMT, Norman E. Bolus, MSPH, MPH, CNMT, FSNMMI-TS, and members of the journal’s board of editors announced in April the winners of annual awards for outstanding articles. The awards were presented at the annual SNMMI-TS business meeting in June.
The Editor’s Choice Award for the best JNMT continuing education article went to Shelley N. Acuff and Dustin Osborne, Department of Radiology, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville, Tennessee, for “Clinical Workflow Considerations for Implementation of Continuous-Bed-Motion PET/CT.” J Nucl Med Technol. 2016;44:55–58.
Norman Bolus presents Editor's Choice Award to Dustin Osborne
The Editor’s Choice Awards for the 3 best JNMT articles published in 2016 went to:
Grace Brayshaw, Sharon Mosley, and Geoff Currie, from the Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, Australia, for “Increased Gastric Activity on Myocardial Perfusion Imaging.” J Nucl Med Technol. 2016;44:195–198.
Yoya Tomita, Masaki Ishida, Yasutaka Ichikawa, Naohisa Suzawa, Shigeki Kobayashi, Hisato Maeda, Kan Takeda, and Hajime Sakuma, from the Central Division of Radiology, Mie University Hospital, Tsu, Mie, Japan, for “The Effect of Misregistration Between CT-Attenuation and PET-Emission Images in 13N-Ammonia Myocardial PET/CT.” J Nucl Med Technol. 2016;44:73–77.
Norman Bolus presents Editor's Choice Award to Geoff Currie
Norman Bolus presents Editor's Choice Award to Yoya Tomita
Sarah R. Pigmon, Kara D. Weatherman, Nicholas C. Brehl, and Cybil J. Nielsen, from the Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, for “The Necessity of Using Heparin in the UltraTag RBC Kit When Tagging Blood for a Nuclear Medicine Study.” J Nucl Med Technol. 2016;44:230–233.
Norman Bolus presents Editor's Choice Award to Sarah R. Pigmon
2017–2018 SNMMI-TS OFFICERS
Kathleen M. Krisak
SNMMI-TS introduced a new slate of officers during the annual meeting. Kathleen M. Krisak, BS, CNMT, FSNMMI-TS, a nuclear medicine technologist at the Holyoke Medical Center, Holyoke, Massachusetts, was elected as the 2017–2018 president. “As president of the SNMMI-TS, I will focus on providing expanded educational opportunities for nuclear medicine technologists to keep their skills current in a constantly evolving field and to stay abreast of new guidelines and regulations,” Krisak stated. “This includes appropriate training and credentialing for multimodality imaging. Providing quality care to patients is our guiding purpose.” She added, “I will also emphasize advocacy at the state and national levels and work to strengthen communication with, and engagement of, technologists, so that we are collaborative in our efforts to advance the field of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging.”
Norman E. Bolus
Also during the meeting, SNMMI-TS announced the election of Norman E. Bolus, MSPH, MPH, CNMT, FSNMMI-TS, as the 2017–2018 president-elect. At the University of Alabama at Birmingham, he is the director of the Master of Science in Nuclear Medicine Technology Program, an assistant professor in the Clinical and Diagnostics Sciences Department of the School of Health Professions, and the interim program director of the Master of Science in Health Physics Program. “As president-elect of the SNMMI-TS, I will focus on 3 goals that I ran on for this elected position: to change the legal title for nuclear medicine technologists so they are officially listed as professionals in the eyes of the U.S. government; to increase membership within the society; and to support advocacy efforts for the SNMMI-TS, including scope-of-practice issues within the profession,” Bolus stated.
Other elected individuals included:
Secretary: Dori Browning, BS, CNMT, NCT
Finance committee chair: Anthony Knight, PhD, CNMT, RT(N), NCT, FSNMMI-TS
Finance committee member: Janice Van Dolsen, BHS, RT(N), CNMT
Delegate-at-large: Sarah Frye, MBA, CNMT, PET, NCT
Delegate-at-large: David Gilmore, MS, CNMT, RT(N), FSNMMI-TS
Delegate-at-large: Leesa Ann Ross, CNMT, PET, RT(N)(CT)
Member-at-large: Crystal Botkin, MPH, CNMT, PET
Director-at-large: Dusty York, CNMT, PET, RT(N)(CT)
JNMT EDITOR AWARD
Sara Johnson presents Norman Bolus with a framed display of JNMT covers from his years as editor
Norman E. Bolus, MSPH, MPH, CNMT, FSNMMI-TS, received the JNMT Editor Award. He has served as editor of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology since January 2012. He will end his term in December 2017. Kathy S. Thomas, MHA, CNMT, PET, FSNMMI-TS, has been named the new JNMT editor, and she will work with Norman through the end of 2017—assuming the role of editor in January 2018.
SNMMI-TS OUTSTANDING TECHNOLOGIST AWARD
Sara Johnson presents Amanda Abbott with the Outstanding Technologist Award
Amanda Abbott, MS, CNMT, RT(N), PET, is the lead imaging research technologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where she works in both research and the clinic, coordinating multimodality imaging research activities. She has been a member of the SNMMI-TS and New England Chapter since 2005. In her current role as education cochair for the Clinical Trials Network, she has been instrumental in reviewing existing education courses and working to develop new ones. She has recruited 3 new members to the CTN Education Committee and is a strong advocate for the field. Abbott has also served as a PET item writer for the NMTCB, received a Partners in Excellence Award for Leadership and Innovation, and garnered the 2015 ARRT/SNMMI-TS Professional Development Grant. She holds a master’s degree in molecular imaging and therapeutics from Regis College.
SNMMI-TS OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR AWARD
Dusty York receives the Outstanding Educator Award from Sara Johnson
Dusty M. York, CNMT, PET, RT(N)(CT), associate professor and clinical coordinator of nuclear medicine at Chattanooga State Community College, Chattanooga, Tennessee, received the SNMMI-TS Outstanding Educator Award. She has been a member of SNMMI-TS since 1999 and is a member of the Southeastern Chapter. A graduate of the SNMMI-TS Leadership Academy, York is an NCOR delegate-at-large and is a director-at-large to the SNMMI board of directors. She also serves on the SNMMI-TS committee on scholarships, grants, and awards and previously served on the nuclear medicine and molecular imaging week committee, educator’s committee, and “hot trot 5K” committee. On the regional level, York is a past president of both the Nuclear Medicine Technologists of Tennessee and the South Tennessee–North Georgia Organization of Nuclear Medicine Technologists. At Chattanooga State, she is a highly regarded educator whose students excel upon graduation. She developed a popular online PET course, coordinates clinical experience for students, and is a gifted mentor.
SNMMI-TS ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR
Cindi Luckett-Gilbert receives the Advocate-of-the-Year Award
Cindi Luckett-Gilbert, MHA, CNMT, RSO, FSNMMI-TS, received the first-ever SNMMI-TS Advocate-of-the-Year Award. This award was created to recognize an individual who has been an advocate at both the national and the local levels. Advocacy has become an essential part of the SNMMI-TS, and Luckett-Gilbert has been a leader in this area. She has been a member of SNMMI-TS since 1997 and is a member of the Southeastern Chapter. A PET specialist with Shertech Pharmacy, she is a member of the SNMMI-TS executive board and a director-at-large to the SNMMI board of directors. She also serves on the NMTCB. As the society’s technologist advocacy group representative for North Carolina, she is an advocate with legislators and regulators on behalf of SNMMI-TS members. In addition, Luckett-Gilbert is the society’s liaison with the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors and Organization of Agreement States.
PRESIDENTIAL DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Sarah Johnson presenting the Presidential Distinguished Service Award to Kimberly Kerry Jackson
Sarah Johnson presenting the Presidential Distinguished Service Award to Kathy Thomas
Sarah Johnson presenting the Presidential Distinguished Service Award to Joshua Reynolds, Shawn Dunning, and Dmitry Beyder
The 2017 SNMMI-TS Presidential Distinguished Service Award was presented to:
Kimberly Kerry Jackson, CNMT, RT(N)(MR). A member of the SNMMI-TS since 2009 and a member of the Greater New York Chapter, Jackson is the lead nuclear molecular technologist at the New York University Langonne Medical Center in Bayonne, New Jersey. She chairs the SNMMI-TS PET/MR Task Force and serves on the SNMMI-TS NCOR as the specialty area representative for emerging technologies. She has also served on numerous SNMMI-TS committees and the technologist advisory board. Jackson was honored for leading the PET/MR Task Force, establishing a new relationship with the Society for MR Radiographers and Technologists, and developing new PET/MR educational offerings.
Kathy S. Thomas, MHA, CNMT, PET, FSNMMI-TS. A member of SNMMI-TS since 1980 and a member of the Pacific Southwest Chapter, Thomas has served at every level of society leadership, including president; executive board member; chair of the continuing education committee; member of the publications, program, bylaws, and “professional development and education fund” committees; and member of the Uptake editorial board. She has just been named the new editor of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology and will begin her 5-year term in January 2018. Thomas was honored for her efforts as continuing education committee chair. She developed and finalized many new educational offerings, including the CT+ Review and Essential program this year.
In recognition of the SNMMI-TS Leadership Academy’s 10th anniversary, Presidential Distinguished Service Awards were also presented the following individuals for their significant roles in the academy’s success:
Shawn Dunning, MS. A certified mediator with an master of science degree in conflict analysis and resolution, he has served as the facilitator for SNMMI-TS Leadership Academy for 9 of the last 10 years. A seasoned trainer, facilitator, and leadership coach, he has helped thousands around the world to resolve conflict and develop their collaborative leadership skills. His style is fueled by a blend of challenge and fun, and his passion for problem solving, personal development, and team development is grounded in his expertise in communication, psychology, and conflict resolution.
Dmitry D. Beyder, MPA, CNMT. A nuclear medicine and PET/CT supervisor at Barnes–Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, he is a SNMMI-TS Leadership Academy alumnus and an active member of the SNMMI-TS. Dmitry served on the professional development task force, the group responsible for organizing the academy, from 2014 to 2016 and as co-chair from 2016 to 2017. Beyder currently serves on the executive board and the NCOR. He also served as chair of the SNMMI-TS membership committee from 2015 to 2017 and is the incoming chair of the advocacy committee’s scope-of-practice task force. In addition, he serves on the Neuroimaging Working Group, a collaboration between SNMMI-TS and Avid/Lilly.
Joshua J. Reynolds, MBA, CNMT, RT(N)(CT)(MR). A technologist with Windsong Radiology Group in Williamsville, New York, he is a graduate of the SNMMI-TS Leadership Academy and an active SNMMI-TS member. Reynolds served as cochair of the professional development task force from 2016 to 2017 and is its new chair. He also serves on the SNMMI-TS NCOR and is a delegate in the SNMMI house of delegates for the Eastern Great Lakes Chapter. In addition, Reynolds is the current technologist president of the Eastern Great Lakes Chapter.
SNMMI-TS PRESIDENT'S PLAQUE
Kathy Krisak and Aaron Scott present Sara Johnson with the President's Plaque and Gavel
Sara G. Johnson, MBA, CNMT, NCT, FSNMMI-TS, was awarded the SNMMI-TS president’s plaque and gavel for her service as 2016–2017 SNMMI-TS president. Johnson has nearly 30 years of nuclear medicine experience. She started her career while on active duty with the U.S. Navy. During nearly 8 years of service, she had the opportunity to practice nuclear medicine in Okinawa, Japan, and at bases throughout the United States. After leaving the Navy, Johnson served as chief technologist at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) Medical Center and was also the founder and first program director of the UCSD Nuclear Medicine Technologist Program. She later worked in the commercial sector as a clinical specialist for DuPont and Bristol Myers Squibb, specializing in nuclear cardiology.
Johnson has an associate degree from George Washington University; her bachelor of science degree in business administration, bachelor of arts in management, and master of business administration are from the University of Phoenix. She holds the NCT certificate and is one of the authors of Nuclear Cardiology Technology Study Guide. Johnson has been involved with the SNMMI-TS at the local, regional, and national levels for many years and became an SNMMI-TS fellow in 2012. During Johnson’s tenure as president, SNMMI-TS accomplished many new initiatives, including a new CT educational course, radiation safety education, PET/MR education and resources, new international collaborations and partnerships, completion of the Quality Benchmarking Study and Final Report, continued growth of advocacy efforts, and revisions to the scope of practice.
SNMMI-TS ABSTRACT AWARD WINNERS 2017
Oral Abstract Awards (funded by the Education and Research Foundation [ERF])
First Place
Jessica Williams, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, “The impact of facility design on scanner utilization and efficiency while ensuring patient centered care in a PET/CT facility”
Second Place
Douglass Vines, Princess Margaret Hospital, “18-F-FAZA PET-CT precision and accuracy of image-derived blood surrogate reference values”
Third Place
Jozef Nycz, Timmins and District Hospital, “Prone SPECT imaging, an effective remedy for artifacts seen in supine SPECT/CT myocardial perfusion scans”
Cardiovascular Oral Abstract Awards (Funded by the Cardiovascular Council)
First Place
Jozef Nycz, Timmins and District Hospital, “Prone SPECT imaging, an effective remedy for artifacts seen in supine SPECT/CT myocardial perfusion scans”
Second Place
Karen Johnson, University of Massachusetts Medical School, “Clinical testing of a device to provide physiological signals related to cardiac contraction and respiration as input to list-mode SPECT acquisition”
Third Place
Thomas Owens, Mayo Clinic, “Optimal patient preparation for cardiac FDG PET/CT for cardiac sarcoid imaging”
PET Oral Abstract Award (Funded by the PET Center of Excellence)
First Place
Jessica Williams, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, “The impact of facility design on scanner utilization and efficiency while ensuring patient centered care in a PET/CT facility”
Poster Awards (Funded by ERF)
First Place
Erin Snay, Children’s Hospital Boston, “Developing a practical approach to imaging PET/CT of zebrafish”
Second Place
Kunihito Tsuboi, Kurashiki Central Hospital, “Evaluation of wall thickness on myocardial SPECT using reconstruction algorithms in a solid-state dedicated cardiac camera”
Third Place
Scott Persohn, Indiana University, “Physiological image segmentation: development of a neural network model of intravoxel incoherent motion in the assessment of pediatric neurofibromatosis type I”
Student Oral Abstract Awards (Funded by ERF)
First Place
Shelby Bryant, Indiana University, “Patient compliance with radiation safety instructions for outpatient radioiodine therapy”
Second Place
Andrew Thrams, Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, “Impact of prone imaging in cardiac myocardial perfusion imaging studies using CZT technology”
Third Place
Craig Leier, Mayo Clinic, “Comparison of white blood cell and platelet counts between Ficoll-Paque and standard In-111 WBC labeling techniques”
Student Therapy/Nuclear Oncology Oral Abstract Award (Funded by the Therapy Center of Excellence)
First Place
Shelby Bryant, Indiana University, “Patient compliance with radiation safety instructions for outpatient radioiodine therapy”
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