Technologist News

SNMMI TECHNOLOGIST SECTION PRESENTS AWARDS, ELECTS NEW OFFICERS AT 2018 ANNUAL MEETING

More than 5,000 physicians, technologists, physicists, scientists, and exhibitors gathered at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) 2018 annual meeting, held June 23–26, in Philadelphia. The meeting had more than 850 scientific oral presentations and nearly 1,000 posters, as well as sessions on new tracers and applications, emerging technologies, updates on appropriate use criteria and coding and reimbursement, Mo-99 production and availability, and new “Nuts and Bolts” sessions in each track that covered a wide variety of subspecialty areas, providing practical information to apply in the clinic. The CT and MRI Case Reviews were presented in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania. With nuclear medicine playing a growing role in providing precision medicine, theranostics (combining diagnostic imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy) were an important focus throughout the meeting.

During the meeting, SNMMI Technologist Section (SNMMI-TS) inducted new officers, who will serve through June 2019. A number of technologists were also recognized for their outstanding contributions to nuclear medicine, molecular imaging, and the society.

SNMMI-TS Fellow Awards

The following three individuals were named SNMMI-TS Fellows. These are members of SNMMI-TS who have demonstrated leadership and have made a significant contribution to the profession of nuclear medicine technology at the national level. SNMMI-TS selects Fellows based on exemplary contributions in the following areas: participation in professional activities, education, professional experience, professional contributions, and civic activities. New SNMMI-TS Fellows receive a memorial plaque and pin signifying their Fellow status.

New Fellow Crystal Botkin

New Fellow Lauren Shanbrun

New Fellow Joyce Zimmerman

Crystal Botkin, MPH, CNMT, PET, FSNMMI-TS, is assistant professor of Clinical Health Sciences at Saint Louis University in Missouri. A longtime member of the Missouri Valley Chapter, she has held numerous leadership positions at both the regional and the national levels. Botkin is currently president of the Missouri Valley Chapter and serves on the SNMMI-TS Executive Board. Botkin is a past-president of the Advanced Associate Council, and she has served on numerous committees, including Bylaws, Educator’s, Membership, and Scope of Practice. She is a past recipient of the SNMMI-TS Outstanding Educator Award.
Lauren Shanbrun, MS, CNMT, RT(N)(CT), FSNMMI-TS, is a program director and clinical coordinator at the Lifespan/Rhode Island Hospital School of Medical Imaging in Providence. She has been an SNMMI member since 2004 and has served in various leadership roles at both the regional and the national levels. Shanbrun has served as a member of the SNMMI-TS Executive Board, chair of the Educators Committee, and Categorical Program chair as well as served on the Program Committee, Awards, New Professional Committee, and has served as a TAG for the state of Massachusetts. Furthermore, she has received awards for her oral abstract and poster presentations. Shanbrun received the SNMMI-TS Service Award in 2017.
Joyce K. Zimmerman, CNMT, MBA, LRT, FSNMMI-TS, is with the Lourdes Health System in Camden, New Jersey. She has been an SNMMI member since 1982, taking on many leadership roles both at the local level in the Greater New York Chapter and at the national level. With the chapter, she served as chair of the Committee on Scholarships, Grants and Awards and, and for SNMMI-TS, she has served on numerous committees, including Bylaws, Continuing Education, Grants and Awards, Nominating, Program, and Publications, in addition to the Nuclear Medicine Week Task Force, PDEF Executive Council, and the Uptake Editorial Board.

2018–2019 SNMMI-TS OFFICERS

Norman E. Bolus

SNMMI-TS introduced a new slate of officers during the annual meeting. Norman E. Bolus, MSPH, MPH, CNMT, FSNMMI-TS, was elected as the 2018–2019 president. At the University of Alabama at Birmingham, he is 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 of the SNMMI-TS, I will focus on increasing membership and supporting advocacy efforts, including scope of practice issues within the profession,” Bolus stated. He added, “I will also explore opportunities to integrate progress on the goals of the society’s Quality Initiative and Value Initiative, as quality and value go hand-in-hand. In addition, I will continue working with the SNMMI-TS Committee Chairs to achieve the objectives of the SNMMI-TS strategic plan.”

Mark H. Crosthwaite

During the meeting, SNMMI-TS also announced the election of Mark H. Crosthwaite, MEd, CNMT, PET, NMTCB(S), FSNMMI-TS, as 2018–2019 president-elect. He is associate professor and program director of the baccalaureate nuclear medicine technology program in the Department of Radiation Sciences, at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. “As SNMMI-TS president-elect, my goal is to strengthen support of nuclear medicine technologists, ensuring they have the resources to advance their careers and to provide the highest quality of care to patients,” Crosthwaite stated. “There is always room to enhance communications, educational offerings, advocacy and research support. In the rapidly evolving field of nuclear medicine, I also firmly believe in sharing knowledge and working together with related societies and the international community to bring patients state-of-the-art imaging and precision therapies.”

Other elected individuals:

Secretary: Nancy McDonald, CNMT
Finance Committee: Sara L. Johnson, MEd, CNMT
Nominating Committee: Dmitry D. Beyder, MPA, CNMT; Anthony W. Knight, PhD, CNMT, RT(N), NCT, FSNMMI-TS; Leesa A. Ross, MA, CNMT, PET, RT(N)(CT); and Lauren Shanbrun, MS, CNMT, RT(N)(CT)
Delegate-at-Large: Lance Burrell, MS, CNMT, PET, RT(CT)
Member-at-Large: Dori L. Browning, BS, CNMT, NCT
Member-at-Large: Matthew C. McMahon, BS, CNMT, RT(CT)
Specialty Area Representatives

Cardiology: April Mann, MBA, CNMT, NCT, RT(N), FSNNMI-TS, MASNC
Education: Sara L. Johnson, MEd, CNMT
Emerging Technologies: Kimberly Jackson, CNMT, RT(N)(MR)
Student: Tommy Lieu, MRT(NM)

OUTSTANDING JNMT ARTICLES

Robert A. Pagnanelli

Kyle Bauer

Koji Nakaya

The Editor’s Choice Awards for the 3 best JNMT articles published in 2017 were selected by JNMT Editor Kathy S. Thomas, MHA, CNMT, PET, FSNMMI-TS, and the journal’s editorial board. They went to:

Robert A. Pagnanelli and Heidi L. Camposano from the Department of Radiology at Duke Regional Hospital, Durham, North Carolina, for “Pharmacologic Stress Testing with Myocardial Perfusion Imaging.” J Nucl Med Technol. 2017;45:249–252.
Kyle Bauer, Alaina Lathrum, Osama Raslan, Patrick V. Kelly, Yihua Zhou, Debra Hewing, Crystal Botkin, James A. Turner, and Medhat Osman from the Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapeutics Department of the Doisy College of Health Sciences at Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, for “Do Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents Affect ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT Uptake in the Dentate Nucleus and the Globus Pallidus? A Pilot Study.” J Nucl Med Technol. 2017;45:30–33.
Koji Nakaya, Masahisa Onoguchi, Yoshihiro Nishimura, Keisuke Kiso, Hideki Otsuka, Yoshifumi Nouno, Takayuki Shibutani, and Eisuke Yasuda from the Department of Quantum Medical Technology of the Graduate School of Medical Sciences at Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan, for “Comparison Between Prone and Upright Imaging of the Inferior Wall Using ²⁰¹TlCl Myocardial Perfusion SPECT.” J Nucl Med Technol. 2017;45:304–308.

SNMMI-TS OUTSTANDING TECHNOLOGIST AWARD

April Mann receives the Outstanding Technologist Award

April Mann, MBA, CNMT, NCT, RT(N), the system quality manager of the Heart and Vascular Institute at Hartford HealthCare in Connecticut, received the Outstanding Technologist Award. She has been an active member of SNMMI since 1996, chairing the Finance Committee and serving on the Advocacy, Chapters, Education, Ethics, Membership, Publications, Strategic Planning, and Quality committees, in addition to other leadership roles. Mann is a past-president of SNMMI-TS and of the New England Chapter. She also spearheaded the SNMMI-TS Quality Initiative. At Hartford Hospital, Mann has served as a technologist, supervisor, and manager, with a focus on nuclear cardiology. Her broader leadership roles include serving on the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB), the board of directors for the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Nuclear Medicine Laboratories (ICANL), and various positions with the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC). She has published more than 20 journal articles, authored four books, and given more than 150 presentations on nuclear medicine and molecular imaging.

SNMMI-TS OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR AWARD

Cybil Nielsen receives the Outstanding Educator Award

Cybil J. Nielsen, MBA, CNMT, SNMMI-TS, clinical assistant professor and director of the nuclear medicine technology program at Indiana State University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana, received the Outstanding Educator Award. She has been a member of SNMMI since 1995. An experienced technologist, manager, consultant, and radiation safety officer, she has served as SNMMI-TS president and as the chair of the Educator’s Committee, among many other roles on the national level. Most recently, Nielsen served as speaker of the National Council of Representatives, and she is currently chair of the Educator’s Committee and a member of the International Committee. She works closely with students, getting them involved in SNMMI-TS and encouraging them to submit abstracts for the SNMMI Annual Meeting. Nielsen has given more than 50 presentations at professional meetings and coauthored the national curriculum for nuclear medicine technology programs.

SNMMI-TS ADVOCATE-OF-THE-YEAR AWARD

Cheryl Rickley receives the Advocate-of-the-Year Award from Lynne Roy and Kathy Krisak

Cheryl Rickley, CNMT, the chief technologist at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, received the Advocate-of-the-Year Award. A member of SNMMI since 1989, she is just the second person to receive this award, which was created last year. Rickley has been extremely active on the Advocacy Committee and, as Pennsylvania TAG representative, she has pushed tirelessly for passage of a licensure bill in her state. She is also a member of the Greater New York Chapter.

SNMMI-TS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Lynne Roy receives the Lifetime Achievement Award

Lynne Roy, MBA, CNMT, FSNMMI-TS, director of imaging at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, received the Lifetime Achievement Award. She has been a member since 1980 and is affiliated with the Pacific Southwest Chapter. Roy was recognized for her outstanding efforts on advocacy and health policy–related issues. She is a past-president of SNMMI-TS, has been reappointed chair of the Advocacy Committee multiple times, and has served in a wide range of other leadership roles throughout the society. Roy has served on numerous SNMMI-TS committees, including Advocacy, Program, Procedure Standards, Quality, and Coding and Reimbursement, as well as the Scope of Practice Task Force.

SNMMI-TS PRESIDENTIAL DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

Tony Knight receives the Presidential Distinguished Service Award from Kathy Krisak

Kathy Krisak presents the Presidential Distinguished Service Award to Leonas Nalivaika

Kathy Krisak presents the Presidential Distinguished Service Award to LisaAnn Trembath and Dawn Holley

Norman Bolus and Sara Johnson present Kathy Krisak with the President’s Plaque and Gavel

The 2018 SNMMI-TS Presidential Distinguished Service Award was presented to:

Anthony W. Knight, PhD, CNMT, RT(N), NCT, FSNMMI-TS—He was recognized for his contributions to the Student Abstract Program and for strategic leadership as the Finance Committee chair. In the University of Iowa Department of Radiology, Knight is administrative program director of baccalaureate degrees in the radiation sciences and program director of the nuclear medicine technology program. He is a member of the Missouri Valley Chapter and has long been an active member of SNMMI-TS, serving on the Executive Board; National Council of Representatives; and numerous committees, including Membership, Educator’s, Quality, Program, Ethics, and Finance.
Leonas A. Nalivaika, CNMT, RT(N), MBA, FSNMMI-TS—He was honored for creating the Radiation Safety Review Course and for his outstanding contributions to the Membership Working Groups. Nalivaika is a program director and educator with University of Massachusetts Memorial Health Care in Worcester, Massachusetts. He has been an active member of SNMMI since 1982 and is a member of the New England Chapter. His many roles within SNMMI-TS include serving on the Executive Board; National Council of Representatives (including the position of Speaker); and Continuing Education, History, and Membership committees, to name a few.
In recognition of their work developing Brain Tech TIME (Technical Imaging Multidisciplinary Education), Presidential Distinguished Service Awards were also presented to:

Dawn Holley, CNMT, RT(N)(CT)(MR)—A PET/MR research technologist in the Stanford University Department of Radiology, Stanford, California, she has been an active SNMMI-TS member since 2010. Her leadership positions include serving on the Educator’s Committee, PET/MR Task Force, Neuroimaging Steering Committee, and Committee on Chapters.
LisaAnn Trembath, CNMT, MSM, CCRA—She is associate director of Clinical Imaging Operations and director of U.S. and Global Clinical Imaging Scientists at Avid Radiopharmaceuticals. Trembath has been an active SNMMI-TS member since 1986, serving on the Technologist Advisory Board, SNMMI-TS Executive Board, and National Council of Representatives, as well as serving with the Clinical Trials Network (CTN) and on the Women in Nuclear Medicine Committee, Education Committee, Advocacy Committee, and more.

SNMMI-TS PRESIDENT’S PLAQUE

Kathleen Krisak, BS, CNMT, FSNMMI-TS, was awarded the SNMMI-TS president’s plaque and gavel for her service as 2017–2018 SNMMI-TS president. Krisak has been a nuclear medicine technologist for more than 30 years and has spent her career in the Nuclear Medicine Department of Holyoke Medical Center, where she first served as a clinical instructor and was department manager from 1986 to 2002. She has an A.S. in nuclear medicine from Springfield Technical Community College, Springfield, Massachusetts, and a B.S. in Natural Sciences from Worcester State College, Worcester, Massachusetts, as well as NMTCB nuclear medicine certification. In addition to her SNMMI-TS membership, Krisak is a member of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology.

She has been actively involved in SNMMI for many years. As an SNMMI-TS Board member, Krisak has served as secretary; chaired the Finance, Scientific Program, and Abstracts committees; and been a member of numerous other committees. She has served as president of the society’s New England Chapter three times and has been a moderator and presenter at SNMMI annual meetings and New England Chapter meetings. Krisak was named a Fellow of the Society of Nuclear Medicine Technologist Section in 2008 and received the SNMMI-TS Technologist of the Year Award in 2014. She is also the recipient of a service award from the New England Chapter.

SNMMI-TS ABSTRACT AWARD WINNERS 2018

ANZSNM Best Abstract Exchange Program Award (Funded by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals)

Lisa MacFarlane, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia: “Using a formula based on BMI and BSL for administration of Actrapid for FDG-PET scans where the patient’s BSL is elevated on arrival”

Oral Abstract Awards (Funded by the Education and Research Foundation [ERF])

First Place

Ejda Bajric, MHA, CNMT, NMTCB(CT), NCT, PET, NMTCB(RS), John Cochran VA Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri: “Direct comparison of supine and prone SPECT studies in female Veterans Administration patients undergoing myocardial perfusion imaging”

Second Place

Shelley Nicole Acuff, CNMT, RT(R) (CT), UT Medical Center, Maynardville, Tennessee: “Evaluation of the use of a modular detector system to collect data in real-time data to detect and assess infiltration”

Third Place

Valerie Frederick, CNMT, R.T. (R), Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia: “Clinical practicality of quantitative 99m-MDP SPECT/CT in patients with breast and prostate osseous metastatic disease”

Cardiovascular Oral Abstract Awards (Funded by the Cardiovascular Council)

First Place

Second Place

Ringo Tatami, Kanazawa University Kanazawa Japan: “the impact of myocardial counts and cardiac frames on phase analysis of gated myocardial perfusion SPECT”

Third Place

Wenchang Xiao, PhD, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China: “Effects of fasting duration on mouse intestinal imaging of ¹⁸F-FDG”

Therapy/Nuclear Oncology Oral Abstract Award (Funded by the Therapy Center of Excellence)

First Place

Patrick F. Wojtylak, NMTCB, PET, RT(R), Nuclear Medicine University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio: “Management impact of prostate cancer imaging with Axumin”

PET Oral Abstract Award (Funded by the PET Center of Excellence)

First Place

Xiang Zhou, Xijing Hospital, Xian, China: “Quantitative relation and activity diagnostic efficacy of plasma PTX3 under the guidance of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in patients with Takayasu 's arteritis”

Poster Awards (Funded by ERF)

First Place

Sara Nardinger, CNMT, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota: “Quality control testing for dedicated molecular breast imaging systems”

Second Place

Fritzgerald Leveque, CNMT, Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, New York: “Confirmation of independence of stomach, small bowel and large bowel motility”

Third Place

Kengo Hashizume, Mie University Hospital, Tsu, Japan: “Effect of the difference in tube voltage on attenuation coefficients and quantitative assessment of bone SPECT/CT: a phantom study”

Student Oral Abstract Awards (Funded by ERF)

First Place

Arielle G. Knafel, BS, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana: “The effect of temperature on particle clumping in ^99mTechnetium-MAA”

Second Place

Carly Schaaf, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois: “Evaluation of Tc-99m sestamibi residual in Becton Dickinson syringes and optimizing the configuration for dispensing”

Third Place

Sarah S. Brosmer, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana: “An evaluation of qualities of nuclear medicine technology program graduates and employability”

Student Therapy/Nuclear Oncology Oral Abstract Award (Funded by the Therapy Center of Excellence)

First Place

Ashley A. Surran, Lifespan/Rhode Island Hospital School of Medical Imaging, Providence, Rhode Island: “Ra-223-dichloride therapy in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. how often is the therapy regimen discontinued early and why?”

Student Poster Awards (Funded by ERF)

First Place

HyeIn Lee, The Michener Institute, Toronto, Canada: “Re-evaluating the value of CT-based attenuation correction in myocardial perfusion imaging”

Second Place

Lauren Rampolla, Robert Morris University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: “Optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters versus thermoluminescence dosimeters accuracy in a PET facility”

Third Place

Autumn Copeland, UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: “Lu-177 DOTATATE therapy for progressive metastatic neuroendocrine tumors: multidisciplinary team work and role of technologists, nurses, physicists and physicians”