By AHRA Staff September 2009 Featured AHRA Member: Tonya Bell Brightmon, MS, RT(R) (CT) Diagnostic Imaging Manager M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Houston, TX Bachelor Science in Allied Health: University of Houston 2009: Master of Science in Radiology Administration, Midwestern State University Enrolled: Doctorate in Health Sciences, Nova Southeastern University Job Descriptions and Duties: A manager of interventional radiology and ad-interim neuro-interventional radiology manager at M.D. Anderson Cancer. My responsibilities include managing all administrative and clinical operations for interventional radiology and neuro-interventional ultrasound.   · Strategic Planning · Fiscal/Financial Management · Major and Minor Equipment Budget · Interventional Radiology Billing and Coding · Space Planning · Inventory Management · Manage both inpatient and outpatient imaging facilities AHRA Involvement: 2009 Annual Meeting Volunteer – Article for Convention Daily 2008 Annual Meeting Volunteer – Article for Convention Daily 2008 – CRA Review/Interest 2009 – Peer reviewed chapters for Asset Management Textbook 2008 to 2010 – Product Development Committee Other Accomplishments/Volunteer Work: · Presentations for Radiology Technology Programs · Parent Volunteer at daughter’s school Goals/Aspirations: · Obtain a Doctorate Degree in Health Sciences · AHRA Design Team Member · Become an AHRA Fellow · Develop and mentor future imaging managers Something Funny or Interesting About Me: I am “officially” a cheer mom for a 5 year old daughter that is a competitive cheerleader and I LOVE reality television shows. What is the biggest industry change you’ve seen since you began your career in medical imaging: This industry is constantly evolving and improving. One of the biggest changes has been the implementation of DR and CR radiography, Interventional MR, and the newest in hybrid imaging suites. If I could x-ray anyone in the world, who would it be and why? Michelle Obama because I would love the opportunity to personally meet her and to discuss her accomplishments in both the legal and medical field. What do you believe to be the biggest challenge to imaging administrators today and why: Strategically planning and learning how to “do more with less” has been one my greatest challenges. With the current economy, staffing restraints, reimbursement reductions, and healthcare reform, it is extremely difficult to find a balance between maintaining effective operations and keeping the employees happy. Advice to young people just entering the medical imaging field: Approach this as a career and not just a “job.” The sky is the limit and the field of medical imaging has so many different avenue to offer. Never settle for the status quo, share your ideas, and become extremely knowledgeable in the field. Most of all take pride in the work and service that you provide your patients and colleagues, never limit yourself, and be sure take the time to enjoy your chosen profession! If you or someone you know would like to be a Featured AHRA Member, please contact us today! The staff and members of AHRA warmly welcome the following new members! Shelly Alway, Oregon City, OR Kari Anderson, Fargo, ND Christopher Archer, Chicago, IL Vanessa Arias, Houston, TX Lesli Bennett, Eldersburg, MD Shelly Bennett, Dakota Dunes, SD David Bloom, Uniontown, PA Vincent Bocchimuzzo, Bronxville NY Alex Boryszewski, Alsip, IL Anne-Marie Brombal, Plano, TX Glenn Burnett, Houston, TX Diane Carton, Richmond, VA Brandon Chan, Pittsburgh, PA James Clemmer, Waycross, GA Fuad Cochinwala, Houston, TX Emily Crane, Orem, UT Maria Crespo, Aventura, FL Diane Early, West Wollongong, Australia Farhan Faiz, Houston, TX Lee Floro, Port Kembla, Australia Judith Fried, Bismarck, ND Sonia Gamez, Houston TX Lincoln Gillam, Byron Bay Australia Juan Guerroro, Adkins, TX Christopher Histed, Calgary, AB Canada Heidi Hordyk, Murray, KY Cheryl Kellogg, Columbus IN Rick Kidwell, Ithaca, NY Katherine Kirihara, Pearl City, HI Andrew Krass, Eastpointe, MI Robert LaFronz, Casselberry, FL Lydia Lawton, Sarasota, FL Jeffrey Liebsman, Encinitas, CA Pamela Mason, Titusville, FL JoAnn McCormack, Kingston, NY Jessica Mejia, Holliston, MA Lynn Mueller, East Setauket, NT Michelle Nordland, Pine Island, MN Bramer Owens, San Antonio, TX Todd Palmer, Haw River, NC Greg Pennetti, Silver Spring, MD Larry Ranahan, Chicago, IL Teresa Roberts, Fargo, ND Gregory Rushing, Cape Girardeau, MO Anthony Russo, Timberlake, NC Donald Sanders, Porterville, CA Karen Scott, Pasadena, MD Alex Sharpton, Clackamas, OR Tonna St. Thomas, Salt Lake City, UT Denise Stein, Port Orange, FL Richard Stubbs, Overland Park, KS Maribel Tharp, Edinburg, TX Angela Twedt, Couer D’Alene, ID Jennifer Tyrian, Torrington, CT Matthew Walsh, Skennars Head NSW, Australia Theresa Whiteside, Stamford, CT Pamela Wickkiser, Winnemucca, NV Do you know someone who can benefit from an AHRA membership? Let us know! Send the contact information to our membership department at memberservices@ahraonline.org. If your referral joins, you’ll be listed here as well!