The Enduring Impact of African American Radiologic Technologists

Editor’s Note: AHRA is committed to supporting the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). This article is one in a series from the DEI Committee, celebrating awareness months and cultural touchpoints through the lens of medical imaging management. The committee is dedicated to highlighting a variety of topics but cannot address every holiday, celebration, or awareness month. To suggest topics, ask questions, or discuss, please use the form here.

As Black History Month is observed, the AHRA community has a significant opportunity to highlight the often-overlooked contributions of African Americans in radiologic science, particularly focusing on the crucial role of radiologic technologists.

These dedicated professionals were instrumental in both technical innovation and patient care, frequently navigating significant racial barriers to advance the field. Their legacy is a powerful testament to resilience and serves as an urgent reminder of why diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are paramount in modern healthcare.

Pioneers at the Control Panel: African American Technologists Who Shaped the Field

The history of radiologic technology includes remarkable individuals whose dedication and expertise broke new ground and paved the way for future generations.

Dr. William Edward Allen, Jr. (1903-1981)

A towering figure in the field, Dr. Allen was the first African American certified X-ray technician and later became the first to receive the prestigious Gold Medal from the American College of Radiology (ACR). In 1944, he established a pioneering training program at the Homer G. Phillips Hospital in St. Louis. This program became a beacon for aspiring Black professionals, successfully training hundreds of radiographers, nuclear medicine technologists, and radiation therapists at a time when such opportunities were severely limited elsewhere. His work profoundly expanded access to the profession for underrepresented students.

Rose M. Pegues-Perkins (1913-1992)

Training under Dr. Allen, Ms. Pegues-Perkins became one of the first Black X-ray technicians. In 1947, through sheer persistence in the face of initial resistance, she successfully advocated to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) exam, becoming the ARRT's first Black registrant. This landmark achievement was a crucial step in formalizing the professional credentials for African Americans in the field.

These technologists were not just skilled professionals; they were agents of change who helped build a more inclusive scientific community from within the hospital walls. 

The Current Landscape: Statistics on Diversity

Despite the foundational work of these pioneers, African Americans remain underrepresented in the field compared to the U.S. population (which is approximately 13.4% Black or African American).

African Americans or Black individuals make up approximately 5.4% of diagnostic and staff radiologic technologists in the U.S. Other data sources place the number for radiologic technologists and technicians at around 7.3%. Representation in the physician and faculty ranks is even lower, with only about 2%-4% of radiologists and radiology faculty identifying as Black or African American.

These statistics highlight the persistent need for increased efforts to foster a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

The Indispensable Value of Diversity in Healthcare

The presence and success of a diverse workforce in radiologic science provide tangible benefits that directly translate to better patient care and more effective healthcare organizations. Just a few examples include: 

• Earn Patient Trust and Improve Communication: Since radiologic technologists are often the first point of contact for patients during imaging, a diverse team builds immediate trust. This reassures minority patients who may be wary of the healthcare system. Feeling understood and comfortable improves communication, resulting in better compliance, less anxiety, and more accurate results.

• Tackle Health Disparities: A representative team is better equipped to recognize and address the systemic biases contributing to health disparities, guaranteeing a consistent standard of care for every individual.

• Drive Innovation Through Diverse Perspectives: Diversity of experience fuels diversity of thought. In the fast-paced field of medical imaging technology, varied viewpoints from staff and management drive essential innovation — whether optimizing workflow efficiency or developing new AI solutions.

A Call to Action for AHRA Members

While we celebrate these past achievements, the data shows there is still a significant journey ahead to achieve true representation and equity. The AHRA community is in a unique position to drive meaningful change. Honoring the legacy of pioneers like William Edward Allen Jr. and Rose Pegues-Perkins means actively working to ensure the profession is welcoming and equitable for all.

AHRA is committed to fostering an environment of diversity and inclusion through its DEI initiatives, providing resources and guidance to its members. You can learn more about AHRA's commitment on the AHRA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion page.

By investing in diversity today, we ensure that the future of radiologic science and healthcare management is strong, innovative, and equitable for every patient we serve.