The American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) has named winners of its 2017 Award for Advocacy, which recognizes two affiliate societies and two individuals for legislative advocacy efforts performed on behalf of the radiologic science community.
Winners of this year's award are as follows:
- The Kentucky Society of Radiologic Technologists, which defeated a bill that would have allowed nurse practitioners to perform medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures and supervise radiologic technologists.
- The New Hampshire Society of Radiologic Technologists, which introduced a bill to license radiographers, radiation therapists, nuclear medicine technologists, MR technologists, radiologist assistants, and sonographers. As a result of its efforts, a licensure law was enacted in New Hampshire in 2016.
- Patricia Willett, of the of the Massachusetts Society of Radiologic Technologists, testified against a number of bills that would grant nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and podiatry assistants the authority to perform medical imaging procedures. She is also responsible for creating and distributing call-to-action messages and monitoring legislative and regulatory activities in Massachusetts.
- Brandy Cusson, current first chair of the New Hampshire Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, helped secure licensure for medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals in New Hampshire. As president of the New Hampshire Society of Radiologic Technologists, she organized informational meetings and gave testimony before the state Legislature.
Willett and Cusson will each receive $250, while the Kentucky Society of Radiologic Technologists and the New Hampshire Society of Radiologic Technologists will each receive $500. The awards will be presented at the ASRT's annual meeting in Orlando, FL, in June, the society said.
