The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) was founded in 1922 by the Radiological Society of North America, American Roentgen Ray Society, and the American Society of X-ray Technicians. In 1936, ARRT was incorporated, which meant there was a board of trustees. In all of the years that a board has existed, there has never been a president who was a nuclear medicine technologist and who was officially nominated by the SNMMI-TS to sit on the ARRT’s board. That was, until now. To celebrate this momentous occasion, we decided to ask the soon-to-be president and current vice-president Elizabeth Romero 84 questions. And just so you don’t have to do the math, 84 is how many years the ARRT has had a board. I called Liz on a Saturday and rapid-fired these questions at her, much like Vogue does with its 73 questions to celebrities on YouTube (yes, I completely borrowed their idea, and if you don’t know what I’m talking about, definitely check it out).
What’s the first thing you thought of when you woke up this morning? Coffee…now.
What did you want to be when you were little? A veterinarian or a doctor.
Florida or NY? Florida.
Why did you get into nuclear medicine? I always wanted to go into medicine. I went to a health fair and stumbled across the nuclear medicine booth. I have never wanted to do anything else since I discovered it.
What credentials do you hold? RT(N), RT(CT), PET, FSNMMI-TS.
Dogs or Cats? Cats; I have 3.
What are their names? Tigger, Lilly, and Nona.
Tell me your greatest achievement (outside of being the first nominated by SNMMI-TS NMT on ARRT)? Having been able to balance work, ARRT and personal life. I don’t have an off time in my work position and have a wonderfully supportive husband.
What do you do for fun? Run, downhill ski, and go to the beach.
How many people are on the board currently? 10.
What are your goals as chair? To continue support of measurable benchmarks for technologists in all the ARRT modalities.
Favorite song? Depends on my mood, I have 2: “All of Me” by John Legend and also “Midnight City” by M83.
What does being president look like? The daily includes running board meetings, committee meetings, weekly discussions with the CEO, attending meetings and successfully relaying the ARRTs mission to technologists.
Tell me one of your goals outside of ARRT? Run another marathon.
What does this mean for the future of NMTs and the board? Having a nuclear medicine technologist becoming president gives the feeling that nuclear medicine is better represented. It shows that ARRT has always respected the technologists and what we do. This is a definite recognition.
Who inspires you? Shalane Flanagan.
What does it mean to you to be the first president? It is a really huge honor. Just being on the board has been the pinnacle of my career and this is just like putting the flag on top of Everest.
Would you ever climb Everest? Maybe.
Why did you sit on the board in the first place? I was nominated and I have always enjoyed being involved in the community of nuclear medicine to give back what I’ve learned. I found this to be a really great opportunity to see what is going on in other modalities and be able to help bring education to technologists who aren’t NMTs.
How do you describe yourself in 3 words? Crazy cat lady (she laughed) Just kidding…I can do one word—driven.
What have previous chairs accomplished, and how has that guided you? Seeing their professionalism and how open they are because each president has a different approach. Watching them during their presidency and realizing that I will be coming in with a different point of view has really inspired me. The end goal, regardless of background or approach though, is to do what’s best for ARRT and maintaining the mission statement.
How did you get on the board? I was nominated by the SNMMITS and then elected by the ARRT board of trustees.
How long have you been on the board? Since 2014. I am in my 2nd 4-year term. I will rotate off in 2022 July.
What do you hope to take from this experience? To be a better leader. I hope that during my service on the board I have done an exceptional job of representing all technologists but especially nuclear medicine.
How has being on this board affected your life? It has given me a lot of opportunities including representing many people from different backgrounds. I have learned how they are certified and registered, and I get to witness how they practice in their respective modalities. This allows me to ensure we are taking the right steps to certify people to bring the best care to the patient.
What positions did you hold with SNMMI-TS? (She forwarded me her CV for this answer, at my request, and it’s shorter for me to tell you that she has not only been on a multitude of boards, but also has chaired quite a few as well.)
Favorite book? Da Vinci Code.
Snow ski or water ski? Snow.
Favorite place to snow ski? Winter park, Colorado.
Place you want to snow ski but haven’t yet? Alps.
You’ve published quite a bit of work—what are you most proud of? I am most proud that I am asked to contribute to books and chapters. I am so proud of who I am asked to work alongside, as they are talented people.
You have spoken internationally—what was that like? It was a great honor and it’s always intriguing because you see people with different backgrounds. It’s interesting to see what others are doing in their respective countries. To be able to educate and open people’s eyes to what we do in the States and then bring that information of what I learned back to the States is fulfilling. I also really enjoy visiting other countries and taking in the local culture.
Which do you prefer, working in the clinic or research? I now do both. I am taking things from early phases and helping to get them started. My love is definitely in research but I love that I can help bring things that have just been FDA approved to patients so they are able to get better care.
What show have you recently binge watched? Fleabag.
What’s your dream job? I’m doing it now.
Favorite word in the English dictionary? Prosecco.
Favorite Podcast? Don’t listen to them. I know, I’m behind the times.
Favorite medical moment in the history of all medicine? Madame Curie: I mean can there be a better representation of a step forward for women in medicine and radiation?
Favorite saying? When you’re going through hell keep on going. ∼Winston Churchill
Do you have a secret talent? Portraits in charcoal.
If you could create any isotope, what would it be for and what would you call it? Cabernum, great for imaging the heart. (She laughed.)
If you were a superhero, what would your powers be? I’d be invisible to be a fly on the wall and observe.
What can we expect out of you in the next few years? You’ll just have to wait and see.
Find yourself on a plane, window or aisle seat? Window.
How do you unwind? Wine.
Find yourself on a train—are you sitting backwards or forwards? Doesn’t matter.
Favorite designer at the moment? Frye boots and Jimmy Choo heels.
Favorite historical person? Teddy Roosevelt for establishing the national parks.
What do you consider to be your work philosophy? Persistence and tolerance.
Spirit animal? Snow leopard.
Best gift you ever received? My engagement ring. It was a wonderful unexpected surprise and my husband designed it uniquely for me
Favorite gift you have ever given? A Viking cruise in Europe.
Biggest pet peeve? Waiting.
What are you currently working on? A lot of things. Currently a presentation I am supposed to give in 3 days.
What is your favorite place that you’ve lived? Where I’m sitting right now.
What are you doing this very moment? Watching dolphins from my back deck and working on that presentation.
How do you handle pressure in your career? Wine and running.
Best advice you’ve ever given or received? One I’ve always given my research assistants: Don’t panic. Is it fixable? If so, learn from the issue, then fix it and move forward.
Best advice you’ve completely ignored? Don’t eat that.
Who would you want to ask 84 questions to? The person who is interviewing me now to get even.
Morning person or night person? Morning.
Karaoke? Only on certain occasions.
When does this president start? July 2020.
Do you prefer writing or speaking? Speaking.
Do you collect anything? Shiny things (jewelry).
What’s a cause that’s close to your heart? Animals.
What’s the most treasured thing that you own? Wedding ring.
What skill did you learn that you’ve used throughout your entire career? ALARA.
Where do you work currently? Pharmalogic.
What is your position there? Director of Research and Medical Affairs.
You have to travel a lot for work—what is something you always travel with? Running shoes.
What’s your favorite stamp on your passport? Italy.
Best habit? Working out.
Worst habit? Sleeping in.
If you weren’t in NM what would you be doing with your life? Anesthesiologist or forensic pathology.
Favorite food? Steak.
Highest level of schooling? Master’s degree…at this point.
Favorite dessert? Dark chocolate.
Is everyone who sits on the board eventually President? No.
Name one thing you can’t live without? Coffee.
Who alive or dead would you want to have a cocktail with? My favorite person to drink with is my husband Tony out on our deck.
Favorite holiday? Super bowl Sunday. I go skiing that weekend every year.
What’s one thing people would be shocked to learn about you? I am a very proud grandmother.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in their career? To be open minded. Enjoy the journey and go with it. The right thing will come to you. Don’t stress if things aren’t going to a pre-conceptualized plan.
It was an honor to rapid fire these questions with Elizabeth Romero, and I am grateful that she allowed this rare glimpse into her professional, personal, and private life. The ARRT is the leading credentialing organization, with over 330,000 members worldwide. Their mission statement is: “To promote high standards of patient care by recognizing qualified individuals in medical imaging, interventional procedures and radiation therapy. In support of this mission, we adopt and uphold standards for educational preparation for entry into the profession.” To learn more about the ARRT, visit www.arrt.org. Congratulations Liz! We look forward to your presidency and following your progress as you lead the profession in the promotion of quality and the high standards of patient care.