Posted by By Gail Nielsen, Howard Schwartz and Wanda Casady
Photo includes Wanda Casady, Louise Broadley and Judy Dye.
On March 2, 2024, Louise Broadley passed away at 101 years old. She was a noble woman, who not only achieved many milestones within the imaging profession, but likewise paved the way for aspiring leaders in Medical Imaging. Louise was known and loved by many AHRA members, many who became close friends over the years. Even through her blindness in recent years, Louise stayed active with bingo, books on tape, music, and friends and family in her facility and beyond. She was engaged, resilient, and loving throughout her life.
During her final months she talked to several colleagues via Zoom who served on the AHRA Board of Directors as well as recent recipients of the EF Louise Broadley Scholarship. Words cannot fully express what these sessions meant to her. We are equally grateful to each of you who participated.
The following is an excerpt from an article that ran in 2022.
In 1972, Louise Broadley joined Jim Conway to organize radiology leaders to share their learning. In partnership with other radiology leaders, they started Massachusetts shared earning events that grew into AHRA across the US and beyond. Over the years she served in many AHRA roles and even led member visits to China and Russia. Her AHRA Honors include:
- The Gold Award (now Jim Conway Gold Award)
- Fellow of AHRA, FAHRA
- The Broadley Scholarship (36 scholarships since 2004)
Louise’s Radiology career began as a Navy nurse during WWII when she was assigned to build the first Navy X-ray program at Bethesda Maryland. Louise worked 50 years for New York Medical College, serving senior leadership roles in Radiology, the Dean’s Office, and the city-wide network of Physicians of New York City.
At age 99, Louise told us that the life-long friendships that emerged from her active membership in AHRA are still a joy.
- Louise rated active membership in a professional association like AHRA, a “solid 10” on a scale of 1-10. It was indispensable to the advancement of both her department and her career.
- She noted that, “Regardless of your field or department of service, you need resources to learn as much as possible, as fast as possible, for your broad responsibilities, often with few resources.
- The biggest changes in Radiology over the course of her career include technology. Just one, is the evolution of film development. Originally, dipping film on hangers into solutions and hanging them to dry, mixing solutions, and processor maintenance took a lot of time.
- Would she do it all over again? She said, “Absolutely! Although it was a lot of work, learning from all parts of the country and international members was most rewarding.”
- Her advice to each of you: Attend many sessions and get to know as many people as possible! You will be amazed how often you suddenly need something you heard weeks ago from another AHRA member, and you know how to reach them. Be active on teams and committees; run for offices! The time you spend as an active member, and sharing your learning with others, will be returned to you manyfold, enriching your career and your life. Personally, my experience with AHRA mirrors Louise’s (Gail Nielsen).
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what a wonderful friend, colleague and mentor. I fondly remember how as AHRA National Membership Chair, Lousie used good old competition between the 5 regional boards by posting how many new members per quarter each had achieved. (on paper of course as there was no such thing as a “personal computer”). RIP dear friend. RRhynus