AHRA President’s Update: Spring and Be Seen

By Becky Allen, R.T.(R), MS, CRA

Is it just me or are you also getting excited as we head into spring? In the Midwest, we could have weather in the 60s one day, snow the next and then back up to 70 degrees the following day. This is a sign that spring is just around the corner. And, one of the reasons I’m so excited for spring this year is because of our virtual CLIMB Conference being offered on March 21-22. This is a fantastic way for attendees to connect, grow and learn in the comfort and ease of attending from their home or offices! Given the many financial constraints our members are facing, we recognized we must offer opportunities that meet our members where they are, and in a financially sound way. Visit AHRA’s website for more information and to register. You don’t want to miss this fantastic opportunity!

As we continue the journey of collaboration with like-minded associations, I am excited to share that earlier this month, Jason Newmark and I were fortunate to represent AHRA at a meeting of medical imaging association leaders, hosted at the ASRT (American Society of Radiologic Technologists) headquarters in Albuquerque, New Mexico. More than 50 leaders were in attendance – sharing perspectives from imaging educators to accrediting and certifying bodies, to independent radiology practice administration, to management across all aspects of imaging (Radiologic Technology, Sonography, Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Therapy, Medical Dosimetry, MRI, CT, and Mammography). The purpose of the time together was to discuss innovative ways for our associations to collaborate to address 1) workforce shortages and the impact on the profession, and 2) possible pathways for growth and development of medical imaging and radiation therapy personnel. This day-and-a-half meeting reiterated to me that when we work together, we can do amazing things for our members, our organization, and for healthcare overall.

Over the next few months, we will continue to share information on the progress of these efforts. I want to say a special thanks to the dynamic trio that started planning this meeting more than a year ago – Melissa Pergola, Ed.D, R.T.(R)(M), FASRT, CAE,  CEO and Executive Director of ARRT, Liana Watson, D.M. R.T.(R)(M)(S)(BS)(ARRT), RDMS, RVT, PMP, FASRT, CAE, CEO of ARRT, and Leslie Winter, M.S. R.T.(R), CEO JRCERT, your leadership and determination are an inspiration to us all.

As many of us continue to address staffing shortages and promote the various professional opportunities within medical imaging, I hope you will all take time to watch ASRT’s recently launched #BeSeen video. For our imaging team members of radiologic technologists, radiation therapists, radiologist assistants, mammographers, medical dosimetrists, MRI technologists, CT technologists, sonographers, nuclear medicine technologists, cardiac interventional technologists, vascular interventional technologists, and bone densitometry technologists, it’s time for them to “Be Seen.” It is also time for us, in supervisor, manager or director roles, to do all we can to advocate for our team members in our facilities and in our communities.

As your president, I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead for AHRA and our collaborations with industry partners. I encourage each of you to actively engage with these initiatives, contribute your insights and be a driving force in shaping the future of medical imaging.

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