This is “The RAD Position” with ASRT CEO and
Executive Director Melissa Pergola, a podcast for medical imaging and
radiation therapy professionals.
Melissa Pergola: Hi everybody, and welcome back to “The RAD
Position” podcast. I’m your host, Melissa Pergola, ASRT CEO, and I’m with —
Ray Arambula: — her podcast partner, Ray Arambula.
Melissa Pergola: And tonight we have an episode that is
focused on ASRT’s Be Seen campaign. Right. So if you’re not familiar with
the Be Seen campaign, it is an initiative that was started a couple years
ago, but it’s going to go on for several years, and it’s where we are
raising the visibility and respect for all of our disciplines in medical
imaging and radiation therapy.
Ray Arambula: Now, we’ve done several commercials, but for
this podcast episode, we wanted to highlight the radiographer commercial
with Erin Schartner. So let’s go ahead and roll that footage.
Female Voice: As a radiographer, every day is different.
We’re often the first step in the healing process. We have a lot of
responsibility. Our images are critical for doctors to diagnose and treat
patients.
Male Voice: Your hip is broken. Let’s get you to surgery.
Female Voice: What we do every day makes a difference in
our patients’ lives. We capture the best image no matter what the situation.
Radiographers have always been on the front lines of health care, and it’s
time for us to be seen.
Melissa Pergola: Tonight we are actually going to introduce
you to the face of the radiographer for the Be Seen commercial.
Ray Arambula: How exciting. We’re joined by a star, so
let’s roll out the red carpet.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah. Hey Erin, we’re so happy to have
you.
Erin Schartner: Hi. Thanks. I’m so excited to be here
today.
Melissa Pergola: So as we said, today’s guest is Erin
Schartner. She’s a dedicated leader in imaging education and MRI [magnetic
resonance imaging] technology. Erin currently serves as the clinical
education manager for the MR applications team at GE HealthCare, where she
plays a key role in advancing clinical training and innovation.
Her journey began as a radiographer and CT [computed tomography]
technologist after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and
Aurora St. Luke’s School of Radiologic Technology. She later specialized in
MRI, working at several major institutions in the Milwaukee area before
joining GE HealthCare as a clinical application specialist and later leading
the applications team. Now based in Green Bay, Erin is passionate about
advancing imaging education and helping technologists grow through
innovation and knowledge.
Ray Arambula: And Erin, we definitely want to dive in more
into the Be Seen commercial, but let’s back up and tell us about your path
into medical imaging.
Erin Schartner: Sure. So, believe it or not, it actually
started back in high school. So when I was getting ready to decide what I
wanted to do with my life, you know, at the young age of 16, 17, so I knew
that I wanted to do something in health care. I love the math and the
sciences. My sister was a nurse, but I knew I didn’t want to do nursing. And
fortunately, my mom actually worked for two radiologists that opened their
own imaging center in my hometown, and she worked more on, like, the
business operations side.
Melissa Pergola: Wow.
Erin Schartner: But she kind of gave me the idea — she was
like, “Hey, you should look into this. You could probably get a job right
out of school, and it might be interesting.” So kind of helped out there a
little bit and I was like, “OK, yeah, this is pretty cool. Let me go for
this.” And so I went to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. And they
actually had a biological sciences bachelor program with a radiologic
technologist, a radiography degree as well.
Melissa Pergola: Nice.
Erin Schartner: Went into that and did all of my prereqs
[prerequisite courses] and got into my top choice, which was the Aurora St.
Luke’s School of Radiologic Technology, which is a 24-month clinical
program. And so got into that and honestly fell in love with it. You know,
you think you know what radiography is or what, you know, an x-ray tech
does. And then as soon as I got into there and finished my first year, I was
just in love with it and honestly found such a passion for patient care and
learning, and it was just way much more than I expected.
And then our senior year in my program, we actually had the opportunity — we
get to rotate through all of the other imaging modalities. So got to see
MRI, CT, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, mammography, and kind of figure out
if you’re interested in anything else. And that’s where I found my other
love of MR and CT and was like, “OK, this is really cool. I think I want to
do this.” And so, like my mom had said, I actually did get a job before I
graduated. I was not —
Melissa Pergola and Ray Arambula: [laughs]
Erin Schartner: And it was initially an x-ray position, but
they were cross-training me in CT right away. And then I moved into
full-time CT, and then similarly had an opportunity to cross-train into MRI
and got that opportunity. Once I was in MR, I kind of just fell in love with
that and went full speed ahead with MR for the rest of my imaging career.
And again, kind of worked at two larger institutions in the Milwaukee area,
so a lot of great clinical experience, a lot of really advanced exams, and
just fell in love with MR. And fortunately, I had two colleagues from x-ray
school and one former co-worker that all did clinical applications at GE
HealthCare.
Melissa Pergola: Oh.
Ray Arambula: OK.
Erin Schartner: Yeah. So one of them was a radiography
clinical application specialist, a CT app specialist and then an MR app
specialist. So I kind of knew that job was out there. I knew what it
entailed a little bit and always kept in communications with them. And so
when an opportunity came up for me to have a opportunity to go work at GE
HealthCare as an MRI application specialist, I applied, went through the
process and got hired and then kind of started my journey at GE HealthCare.
Ray Arambula: And is that your role now at GE?
Erin Schartner: So when I started, I was a clinical
application specialist in the MR modality, and then I moved into a few other
hybrid roles. I was, like, the team leader for two regions in the United
States, and then did a couple other hybrid — taught a lot of headquarters
classes because I was local to our headquarters building, where those are
hosted. And then the last few years I have been in the clinical education
manager role. So that’s what kind of led me to that.
Melissa Pergola: Hmm. Very cool. Well, I want to talk to
you a little bit about Be Seen, but first I just want to tell you — so
interesting — I didn’t know that your mother worked in radiology, and I
don’t know if I’ve ever said this, but my mother was medical transcription
for radiology.
Ray Arambula: Oh.
Melissa Pergola: So I think that’s why she knew when the
application and the acceptance came in, she needed to send me off to
radiography school. But what a neat similarity: Both of our mothers worked
in the field.
Erin Schartner: Yeah, it’s awesome, right? And I remember
seeing the CT, seeing the MR, but not really knowing about it.
Melissa Pergola: Yes.
Erin Schartner: And it was just really cool to kind of have
her know what I was about to get into too a little bit.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah. And that’s another similarity: When
I was in my program, we also got to rotate through all of the modalities,
and I’m not sure they do that anymore everywhere. But I think that’s a
really cool thing to do.
So I have a question for you about Be Seen. Were you familiar with the Be
Seen campaign prior to ASRT asking you to appear in the radiography
commercial?
Erin Schartner: So, I was — I followed the ASRT on social
media platforms —
Melissa Pergola: [laughs]
Erin Schartner: — so I saw it on my YouTube, you know,
channel subscription, Instagram, and I think I saw it on Facebook as well.
So I kind of knew the general look and I remember, you know, the one actor’s
face when I rewatched it again. And so I did remember that. I don’t know if
I ever saw it on TV, but I do know it was on some of the TV commercials as
well, which is cool.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah. Yeah, so since you did see it, I’m
interested to find out your opinion on whether you feel like the Be Seen
campaign is worthwhile.
Erin Schartner: Absolutely. So I think it’s really awesome
that you’re including people that are actually in those positions in the
commercials, because it really just speaks volumes to how passionate we all
are. And I think that comes across in the commercials. Because anybody that
gets into the field, you know, is in it for a reason. I’m super passionate
about patient care and education and the evolving technologies that we have
in imaging. And so I hope that came across in my commercial.
And I think for all of us, we think it’s just super important to get the
message out there about all of the different aspects of medical imaging and
just do our part to help educate others and, you know, promote people going
into this field. Because, as we know, I think there isn’t always enough
people to staff. There’s just a shortage. And I think it’s an amazing field.
There’s so many different aspects you could get into as a career, and I
think it’s just all about letting people know what we do.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah, and we talk about that a lot, Ray,
right? Like how amazing this profession is and trying to get the word out,
right? Which is what you said, Erin, is really at the heart of the Be Seen
campaign. Why do you think it’s always been a challenge for us to be
recognized for the important work that we do?
Erin Schartner: So I think we are the behind-the-scenes
people, right? We’re not in the room with the patient and the doctor when
they’re getting told they have a certain diagnosis or they’re getting told,
“Hey, we have to take you to surgery. It’s an emergency.” But we’re those
people that are honestly a part of that whole process for the patient,
right? Where they’re — before they get diagnosed, we aid in the diagnosis.
We’re often there after, when they’re going through treatment or after
they’ve had a major surgery and we’re following up with them, and I think we
just kind of get missed because we’re just kind of behind the curtain or
behind the scenes a little bit. And there’s really just a general
misunderstanding, I think, of what we do and the expertise that goes into
our careers in medical imaging. So that’s something that I love to educate
people on.
I think back to my college days and post-college days when I was working in
the medical imaging field, and none of my friends work in health care and
none of them work in that field. And so I feel like I was always educating
them on what I did, explaining it again and trying my best just to help
people understand what we really do and kind of how we play a role in health
care and how we are just, you know, not always right up front, but we’re
always there.
Ray Arambula: Well, and the campaign has resonated across
the profession. But seeing someone from the field as the face of it adds
authenticity, for sure. What was it like for you to serve as the
radiographer in the new Be Seen commercial?
Erin Schartner: So it was definitely, like, the highlight
of my career, I think, to be able to not only be behind the scenes, you
know, helping facilitate it, but also being in front of the camera and
seeing my face on there. It was just an amazing experience, an amazing
opportunity. And it’s been really cool to, you know, get text messages from
people that I used to work with or my friends that still work in the
industry, being like, “Hey, we saw this banner on Facebook.”
Ray Arambula: That’s so cool.
Erin Schartner: And you’re like, “OK, yep, that’s me.”
Ray Arambula: That’s so cool. And were you nervous?
Erin Schartner: Yes. I always, like, laugh when I’m talking
to my colleagues about it. I’m like, “I think it only took me 38 takes for
my one long scene.” But yeah, I think it’s normal to be nervous, but I have
such an appreciation for people that work in that industry, because it was
so foreign to me. I had no idea that all of that goes into a 30-second
commercial. You know, you see it on TV and you think, OK, it’s not that bad.
Probably doesn’t take that long. But there’s so much that goes into it, and
it’s just incredible to see your guys’ vision kind of come to light and see
the finished product. It was pretty cool.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah, well, it’s OK, Erin, the 38 takes,
because you mentioned Michael Benzaia, who was the first face of our — the
face of our first Be Seen commercial, and he is a professional actor, right?
But for him, there were even multiple takes. And I think about us as imaging
professionals, who aren’t professional actors, right? I can’t imagine.
I know Ray asked, “Were you nervous?” It had to be almost overwhelming,
right? Because it’s — you’re excited because you’re representing what we do,
but it’s such a different role, and really not having been there before,
seeing how many takes it takes and how many different angles and you have to
do it again and then you get direction, right? “Say this word differently,”
right? It has to be a little bit overwhelming. [laughs]
Erin Schartner: It was. And there’s literal bright lights
on you and heat on you, so that just kind of adds to it. But you’re right,
it’s different than what we typically do during our day-to-day and, you
know, getting feedback: “OK, put influx on this word or this word. Change
your arms this way.” It’s a lot to put it together. So total appreciation
for people that work in that industry, because it is not easy.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah, well, you did an amazing job, so we
appreciate you so much being the face of the commercial, because you were
absolutely perfect. Now, you mentioned a little bit about some feedback
you’ve received. Is there any other feedback that you’ve received?
Erin Schartner: Mostly positive. I don’t — everyone’s just
really excited about it. I’ve gotten some questions from people, you know,
co-workers asking more, “Hey, when are there other campaigns coming?” Which
is something that I try to always include if I’m communicating it to people.
You know, I shared it with my team. All the other modality and businesses in
GE HealthCare, we, you know, shared it with and tried to be like, “Hey,
there’s more coming.” You know, “We’re highlighting every modality in the
imaging space,” so I think it’s super important.
One funny thing is I actually have an almost 4-year-old, and I had to show
him the commercial when it was done. And so it’s been kind of fun to be
like, “This is what mommy does,” you know?
Melissa Pergola and Ray Arambula: [laughs]
Erin Schartner: But he’s mostly concerned with, “Is he [the
patient in the Be Seen radiography commercial] OK? What happened to him? How
did he break his hip?”
Melissa Pergola: Oh, how cute.
Erin Schartner: So I’m like, OK, that’s —
Ray Arambula: [laughs] That’s so cute.
Erin Schartner: You know, I think it starts that young,
right? Letting people know “Hey, this is what mommy does. You could do this
one day,” or, you know, kind of get it in their heads that it’s a really
cool profession.
Ray Arambula: I don’t know, Erin — if it was me, I’d
probably start off every conversation with, like, “Yeah, you’ve probably
seen me in that TV commercial.”
Melissa Pergola: [laughs]
Ray Arambula: “I was in that TV spot.”
Melissa Pergola: Oh, well, I saw you on TV. I saw it
streaming. I was visiting my daughter and son-in-law and my granddaughter.
And she’s 2; she’s not 4. So she didn’t pay much attention. But I was in the
kitchen and I heard your voice and I ran out to the television. My daughter
was streaming something and I’m like, “That’s our commercial! That’s Erin!”
She was like, “No way, mom!” So I got to say, “Hey, that’s our commercial,”
even though I wasn’t the talent, but I can’t even imagine being the talent
and people saying, “Oh my gosh, I saw you on television.”
Erin Schartner: Yeah, it’s been super cool. And just to
like, you know, be a part of something bigger I think is super important.
And it’s just been, like I said, a highlight of my career so far. So really
appreciate the opportunity, and it was awesome.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah. And thank you for getting the word
out about us doing all modalities, because since then we’ve launched the
MRI, right? Which you helped with. And then also the radiologist assistant
is going to be launching. And we’re coming back to GE, right? As our partner
to do four more commercials. So we’re super excited.
Erin Schartner: Yeah, it’s going to be great. I’m excited
to see the finished product and see kind of the storylines. You know, it’s
been really cool to be a part of.
Melissa Pergola: All right. Well, this has been so much fun
getting some behind-the-scenes look at what happened in the filming, and I
just want to thank you again, Erin, because you are absolutely fabulous, and
we’re so happy that you were the face of the radiographer, and we can’t
thank you enough.
Erin Schartner: Thanks so much for having me today. Really
great to see you again, and thanks for having me on the podcast.
Female Voice: We’ll be right back after this short message.
ASRT Ad: ASRT Foundation scholarship applications are now
open. Whether you’re just starting your journey or advancing your career,
the ASRT Foundation has scholarships designed for entry- and
professional-level students. There’s never been a better time to invest in
your future. Submit your application by January 13th, 2026, at
foundation.asrt.org/Scholarships.
Melissa Pergola: That was such a great interview, right?
Ray Arambula: It was. I’m really — it was really good to
hear Erin’s perspective and insights, just on the whole experience of it.
Melissa Pergola: Yes.
Ray Arambula: Thirty-second shoot — it takes a whole,
almost a whole day to do, so.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah. Actually, I think a day and a half.
Ray Arambula: Oh, wow.
Melissa Pergola: I feel like it took us a day and a half,
but I don’t remember. But yeah, it’s long. Lots of takes.
Ray Arambula: She did a great job.
Melissa Pergola: She really did.
Ray Arambula: Hey, Melissa.
Melissa Pergola: Hey, what? Oh. [laughs] Go ahead, Ray.
What?
Ray Arambula: [laughs] Guess what time it is.
Melissa Pergola: What time is it?
Ray Arambula: It’s time for our We See You segment.
Melissa Pergola: Yes.
Ray Arambula: Yes.
Kullen Bailey: Hi Melissa, it’s Kullen Bailey from the New
York state affiliate. I was just wondering if you could give any advice for
upcoming leaders.
Melissa Pergola: Oh, what a great question, and thank you
for asking that.
Ray Arambula: It’s a big question.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah. So, advice for upcoming leaders. I
think one of the things that I would say, out of probably maybe the 1,500
that I would say that I don’t have time to say, is when you take on a new
leadership role, first listen. So if you’re talking about, like, affiliate
leadership and you’re someone coming in new to a role, take a little time to
learn about why things are done the way they are before you become
innovative. Because you have to respect the history and understand the
history, and you’ll actually create advocates for what you want to do if
they see that you’re listening to them and you’ve respected the past. That’d
be one thing.
Ray Arambula: And I think that’s so hard to do: to just
stop and listen.
Melissa Pergola: Yes.
Ray Arambula: Especially for any length of time if you’re
so passionate about entering leadership. I would just add, when in
leadership, staying resilient.
Melissa Pergola: Mm.
Ray Arambula: Just knowing there’s so many unknowns. Being
adaptable and flexible. I think your teams look to you to guide them through
those things, so.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah.
Ray Arambula: Yeah. Good point. Good question.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah. Great question.
Ray Arambula: And these are just a few points. [laughs]
Melissa Pergola: For leaders, communication is so
important. And obviously we forget sometimes that’s not just talking —
that’s listening, that you really should be intentional about that and ask
others for their opinions and what they think about how whatever
organization it is that you’re a new leader with, how that should move
forward.
Ray Arambula: Let’s hear about your potato.
Melissa Pergola: Culture is so important. We had a question
about being a leader, and we didn’t really talk about culture and all of
that. However, the ASRT culture is amazing. And I want to do a shoutout —
because I do love my potato — to ASRT’s HR Department. So [reads from card]
“Happy National Potato Day. You’re spud-tacular. From Human Resources.” And
then we got this [holds up small potato figurine] to sit on our desk. And I
just want everybody to see this, because it makes me so happy. I think it
might make people happy.
And if you’re someone who listens to our podcast, this is a good time to go
to YouTube to actually watch our podcast, because you really want to see my
potato. And it says, “Positive potato: I may be a tiny potato, but I believe
in you. Go do your thing.” Right?
Ray Arambula: I love that.
Melissa Pergola: Isn’t that cool?
Ray Arambula: That is very cool.
Melissa Pergola: So does that take the place of our game?
Ray Arambula: It does not.
Melissa Pergola: [laughs]
Ray Arambula: It fits in with our game, I think.
Melissa Pergola: Oh, OK.
Ray Arambula: Have you ever played Mad Libs?
Melissa Pergola: The books?
Ray Arambula: The sheet of paper and the booklets and —
Melissa Pergola: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, like when I was 9.
Ray Arambula: Yeah. So for today’s game, we’re playing Fill
in the Blank.
Melissa Pergola: OK.
Ray Arambula: I’m going to read a paragraph, but it’s
missing some words. And that’s where you come in. You’re going to fill in
the blanks.
Melissa Pergola: OK.
Ray Arambula: I need an adjective.
Melissa Pergola: Fabulous.
Ray Arambula: OK. A family member.
Melissa Pergola: Mm, brother.
Ray Arambula: Main food dish.
Melissa Pergola: Pizza.
Ray Arambula: Adjective again.
Melissa Pergola: Mm, mean.
Ray Arambula: Mean.
Melissa Pergola: [laughs]
Ray Arambula: A verb ending in ing.
Melissa Pergola: Dancing.
Ray Arambula: A funny animal, plural.
Melissa Pergola: Aardvarks.
Ray Arambula: Aardvarks.
Melissa Pergola: [laughs]
Ray Arambula: Family member again.
Melissa Pergola: Sister.
Ray Arambula: Silly household object.
Melissa Pergola: Mop.
Ray Arambula: Another adjective.
Melissa Pergola: Dirty.
Ray Arambula: Plural noun.
Melissa Pergola: Ostriches.
Ray Arambula: Ostriches.
Melissa Pergola and Ray Arambula: [laughs]
Ray Arambula: Favorite food.
Melissa Pergola: Oh, corn muffins.
Ray Arambula: Corn —
Melissa Pergola: [laughs]
Ray Arambula: I’m just picturing corn muffins with pizza.
OK. Adjective, lastly.
Melissa Pergola: Pretty.
Ray Arambula: All right. Well, being it’s around
Thanksgiving time, I put together this well wish for Thanksgiving.
Melissa Pergola: OK.
Ray Arambula: So this Thanksgiving, I’m feeling especially
fabulous because my brother finally agreed to let me eat the first slice of
pizza. The turkey turned out so mean that we all started dancing around the
table like a bunch of aardvarks.
Melissa Pergola: [laughs]
Ray Arambula: Oh. After dinner, we share stories about the
time my sister accidentally cooked a turkey with a mop. No matter how dirty
things get, I am thankful for ostriches — ostriches, I can’t get over— lots
of corn muffins and everyone who makes life so pretty.
Melissa Pergola: Aw.
Ray Arambula: That is a great —
Melissa Pergola: Well, see —
Ray Arambula: That’s a good well wish.
Melissa Pergola: It was good. And corn muffins was perfect
for Thanksgiving. And I’m so happy I got my sister in there, because she’s
in radio, and she always uses me as material. So there you go.
Ray Arambula: There you go.
Melissa Pergola: She’s in this one.
Ray Arambula: Well, thank you for playing along.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah, that was fun. Well, let’s get into
our update.
Ray Arambula: Don’t put yourself in a bad position —
Melissa Pergola: — stay up to date with “The RAD Position.”
Ray Arambula: Join the magnetic resonance team with ASRT’s
Imaging Assistant MR Bundle. This comprehensive online program equips you
with essential skills to provide quality patient care and support MR
technologists. Meet ARRT [American Registry of Radiologic Technologists]
structured education requirements and prepare with confidence for the
imaging assistant MR exam. Enroll today at
asrt.org/ImagingAssistantMR.
So, Melissa, you’ve mentioned other commercials that we’ve done for this Be
Seen campaign.
Melissa Pergola: Yes. Yeah. So at the same time that we
filmed the radiography commercial, on that same visit, we also did MR, and
we did radiologist assistant. Yeah. And then we have future commercials
coming out. We’re getting ready to film nuclear medicine and CT and
mammography and bone densitometry, and then all the rest of the disciplines
are coming too. But we do have those three finished, and they’re already
streaming.
Ray Arambula: How exciting. Well, why don’t we show our
audience?
Melissa Pergola: Ah, good idea.
Ray Arambula: Let’s roll that footage.
Melissa Pergola: [laughs]
Female Voice: No one wants life to stop, but sometimes life
stops you. I’m your magnetic resonance technologist. I’ll be taking images
of your knee today. It’s also my job to keep you safe, because the MR
scanner is a powerful magnet. We acquire detailed images that radiologists
interpret. We play an important role in getting you back to what matters
most. Magnetic resonance technologists have always been on the front lines
of health care, and it’s time for us to be seen.
Male Voice: Hi, I’m your registered radiologist assistant.
As an advanced level medical imaging professional with a master’s degree,
I’m in charge of patient safety and capturing high quality images. I perform
a variety of patient care duties and medical imaging exams. As a proud
member of the radiologist-led team, I help reduce patient wait times while
allowing radiologists to interpret images. Radiologist assistants have
always been on the front lines of health care, and it’s time for us to be
seen.
Ray Arambula: You know, every time I see the commercials, I
still get excited watching them.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah.
Ray Arambula: It’s been such a great campaign, and I’m
hoping that it really continues to resonate in our profession.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah. What I love about Phase 2, right?
Phase 1 was about letting the general public know who we are and kind of
uplifted us. But the commercials that we’re doing now are really with the
intention of a patient seeing them and seeing a patient story and seeing
themselves and then realizing, Oh, that wasn’t a doctor; that wasn’t a
nurse. There’s actually an amazing professional behind what was done with
that equipment. So I too — I just think they’re absolutely amazing.
Ray Arambula: Well, we can’t wait to see you all next time.
But don’t forget to write in at
[email protected] or fill out
the form at asrt.org/RADPosition.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah, and subscribe and share. And as I
said earlier, if you’re not watching, check us out.
Ray Arambula: And to all our medical imaging and radiation
therapy professionals, be seen —
Melissa Pergola: — and stay rad.