This is “The RAD Position” with ASRT CEO and
Executive Director Melissa Pergola, a podcast for medical imaging and
radiation therapy professionals.
Ad: Radiation therapists are transforming skin cancer care through GentleCure, powered by image-guided superficial radiation therapy. At SkinCure Oncology, we're hiring radiation therapists nationwide and educating communities about
safer noninvasive treatment. Whether you want a new career direction or simply want to stay informed, explore the GentleCure experience at skincureoncology.com.
Melissa Pergola: Hi everybody, and welcome back to “The RAD Position” podcast. I'm your host, Melissa Pergola, ASRT CEO.
Ray Arambula: And I'm her podcast partner, Ray Arambula.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah, so we are really excited. I know I always say that. I need to find another word that's not excited. But today we're focusing on community building, and one of the ways that we did that recently was with our
RAD Dash 5K. And Ray was out there — Ray on the street —
Ray Arambula: Yeah.
Melissa Pergola: — and he was taking videos. And today, I guess I'm just going to react to the videos? Is that how we're doing this?
Ray Arambula: Yeah, we're showcasing the videos for the very first time. You haven't seen them before.
Melissa Pergola: No, I have not.
Ray Arambula: So, we have a great video editor, producer, and she's put those together for us, so.
Melissa Pergola: All right. So again, I say this sometimes, if you're listening but not watching —
Ray Arambula: Yes.
Melissa Pergola: — this might be a really good time to watch us.
Ray Arambula: Yep.
Melissa Pergola: So here we go.
[video starts]
Ray Arambula: Hey everyone, and welcome to a special edition of “The RAD Position” podcast. We are here today live, celebrating and honoring medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals here at the ASRT RAD Dash
5K event.
We are here today with CEO and Executive Director Melissa Pergola and president of the ASRT, Brandon Smith. So I have a question for both of you. Why is it important to celebrate and honor our radiation therapists and medical imaging professionals
at events like this?
Melissa Pergola: Actually, our president, Brandon Smith, says this a lot, is, the first time that we connect with our patients, it doesn't need to be in the exam room. It needs to be in a place that's more comfortable, and we can
truly connect. So this is a perfect idea and event for that.
Ray Arambula: How excited are you to participate in this event today?
Brandon Smith: [sings] And I just can't hide it.
Melissa Pergola: [laughs]
Brandon Smith: No, I'm excited. I mean, we're out here with people. We're not going to capture everybody, but we have to capture where it counts. And so, to me, that's really inspirational. And so that excites me about who we'll meet
today, what conversations we'll have and how the profession has impacted their lives.
Ray Arambula: Why are you excited, Melissa?
Melissa Pergola: I'm excited because we have over a thousand people across the country doing this today, so what an amazing impact. And thank you to everyone that's coming out to meet the community.
[video ends]
Melissa Pergola: How cool.
Ray Arambula: We had fun, huh?
Melissa Pergola: I love it. Yeah.
Ray Arambula: So one of the things that stood out is the metric of having a thousand participants. I think when you see that kind of turnout, I mean, that's from coast to coast too.
Melissa Pergola: Right. Yeah.
Ray Arambula: It feels — it's a good reminder that we're part of something much bigger.
Melissa Pergola: Yes.
Ray Arambula: And it was very exciting to even see the large participation we had, the in-person participation that we had.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah. And I think it shows that people really want to do this community building, this really touching the public and the patients before we see them in the exam room, right? There was so much excitement around it,
and I think that's why it's so important that we do an episode like this where we talk about, “This is one way,” right? Look at the response: a thousand people across the nation, how many people we touched that day. And everyone can
be doing things like that in their community.
Ray Arambula: Yeah. So what does it mean for the profession to have this kind of nationwide involvement?
Melissa Pergola: Yeah. I think it shows that we are ready to be seen and to actively be seen, right? It kind of goes along with that campaign that we have. But, you know, I always say it's great if we produce commercials and ASRT
is trying to get the word out about our amazing health care heroes. But for us to truly be seen, everyone has to be involved and standing up and saying, “This is who I am, and I want people to know.”
Ray Arambula: Yeah. And seeing all the photos on Facebook, you know, whether it's an individual or they're part of their state societies, that was really encouraging and exciting to see. And it's exciting to see that level of participation
that is both professional and personal to somebody.
Melissa Pergola: Yes. Yeah.
Ray Arambula: So Brandon mentioned Josh —
Melissa Pergola: He did.
Ray Arambula: — who was there at the event, and how events like this, they really shape lives for people.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah. Yeah, I think Josh said when he came to this event last year — a similar event that we had — I think he's from this area, and I think it was the first time he was even exposed to ASRT and that community
where he matters and how he can be involved. So it's not only important for the general public to learn who we are. It's important to have things like this to inspire us to get out there and really show what we do.
Ray Arambula: Yeah. And you mentioned it, how it really starts at — it is a nationwide purpose that we're doing, but their participation has to be at the local level too.
Melissa Pergola: Yes.
Ray Arambula: So why is it important for medical imaging professionals to be visible in that community aspect?
Melissa Pergola: Yeah, because I think it goes back to what I just said about, we can only do so much. ASRT is not ASRT Albuquerque. ASRT is our nearly 157,000 members across the country. And to get that widespread recognition, right,
we all have to be doing that. Yeah.
Ray Arambula: All right, so we have another video lined up.
Melissa Pergola: Oh, OK.
Ray Arambula: Go ahead and roll that footage.
Melissa Pergola: OK.
[video starts]
Ray Arambula: You know, there's many important reasons why we're here today, but one of the most important aspects is really around —
Melissa Culp: [runs into frame] — community! It's about community! ASRT is the professional community where you matter. So we're here to bring that real connection, that authenticity for medical imaging and radiation therapy
professionals. We're a great community! Thank you, ASRT! Woo, community!
Ray Arambula: [laughs] I couldn't have said it better myself.
[video ends]
Melissa Pergola and Ray Arambula: [laugh]
Melissa Pergola: I thought she was getting ready to do, like, some cheerleading move right there.
Ray Arambula: I thought so too.
Melissa Pergola: Like something jump, or.
Ray Arambula: I know. All she needed was a trampoline, right?
Melissa Pergola: [laughs]
Ray Arambula: I think her excitement was on a whole 'nother level. But it was so passionate.
Melissa Pergola: So for those of you listening and not seeing, you really need to see that, right?
Ray Arambula: Yeah.
Melissa Pergola: This is our executive vice president of member engagement, and that is her. That is the excitement that we need —
Ray Arambula: Yeah. Yeah.
Melissa Pergola: — around all of us getting involved.
Ray Arambula: Yeah. And she says something that I think that, is really resonating these days. She says it's a professional community where you matter.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah. Yeah.
Ray Arambula: And, you know, it reminds me that we — you know, we all want to belong.
Melissa Pergola: Yes.
Ray Arambula: We all want to be a part of something. And especially to a profession where we can be seen, where we can be valued, you know, and where growth is important for us.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah.
Ray Arambula: What does that mean? What does that translate for you?
Melissa Pergola: Yeah. I think for me, especially in the position I'm in, where I wake up every day and think about, How do I support our staff to support medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals and ultimately patients?
I think that professional community where you matter is what we, ASRT, and what my vision for leadership is at the heart of everything that we do. Everything that we do, right? Every decision we make about, what's the next thing that we're going
to do? And I say members, but not even just members, right? We work for the entire profession. And that whole phrase “where you matter” is what we think about every single day. Yeah.
Ray Arambula: Yeah. Such a great phrase. And then when you — what do you think of the concept of community? How does that resonate amongst our medical imaging professionals?
Melissa Pergola: Yeah, I think of it in a few different ways. When I think about our professionals and you mattering and how we make decisions, I see you capitalized and underlined, right? And when we talk about you as a professional,
there are several communities that you are a part of. One is your work community, your professional community, your institution. And we need to support you to do the best that you can there, right?
Ray Arambula: Yeah.
Melissa Pergola: That’s your technical ability and education regarding that and even soft skills. But then there's also — we're not just professionals, working professionals. We're whole human beings.
Ray Arambula: Yeah.
Melissa Pergola: And I think we do focus on that at ASRT. So you're also part of your individual community, your individual family. And we want to make sure that we are there for our members so that they can meet those moments of
their life in whatever community it is that they are focusing on at that time.
Ray Arambula: Yeah.
Melissa Pergola: So a professional community where you matter — and maybe three, right, because we are all a community. So being a member of ASRT, you have a support community that helps you through difficult times in your work
community, but also personal community. So I think that was three things. [laughs]
Ray Arambula: Yeah. Well, I mean, that really resonates with me. Because professionally you carry burdens. Personally you carry burdens. And when you have a community event like this and a space that allows you to not only be recognized,
but be supported and appreciated for what you do —
Melissa Pergola: Yeah.
Ray Arambula: — I think that really hits home both professionally and personally. And it helps — and events like this humanize it, I think, a little bit more. I've also thought about that word community and the C word
and how that branches off to so many other points too. Like, we talk about connection and collaboration and being committed and being celebrated.
Melissa Pergola: Yes.
Ray Arambula: I think those all tie together too. Being a connection point. You know, participating in events like this, I think help you, you know, be a part of those other types of elements as well.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah, I think that's brilliant, Ray. And we haven't really talked about that, right? We talk about community events being held so that we can connect with the community. What we haven't talked about is what you just
said, which I said is brilliant, is it's all about celebration too. It's not just — we're not just out there working to connect. We're celebrating what we do in ourselves.
Ray Arambula: Yeah. Oh, yeah.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah.
Ray Arambula: Well, we have another video. Go ahead and roll that footage.
[video starts]
Brandon Smith: We are so excited to be partnering with the Albuquerque community, showing our presence in Albuquerque and why it's important as medical imaging and radiation therapists to be —
[Ray Arambula slides microphone into Brandon’s face]
Brandon Smith: Somebody will do anything for a sound bite.
Melissa Pergola: What on earth? Ray!
Brandon Smith: This guy —
Ray Arambula: I wholeheartedly agree.
[video cuts to next scene]
Ray Arambula: Hey everyone, we're on our way to the start line. We're making our way right now. It's a beautiful day and we got lots of runners lined up, so let's head on over.
All right, here we go. About to start. The horn's about to go.
Announcer: [unintelligible — 12:06] Three, two, one. [horn sounds]
Ray Arambula: All right, let's go! You got it!
I just love how everybody's come together. We've got people from the profession, we've got families, we've got children. It's very exciting to see everybody come together like this.
Female Voice: Well, Ray, you better catch up!
Ray Arambula: I know. Let's go. Hurry up!
Here they come. Way to go guys! Good job. All right. You did it!
Josh Lucero: You know, it's great to be in Albuquerque to, you know, just shine a spotlight on, you know, the great community that we have here in medical imaging. Not a lot of people know that there's different types of, you know,
imaging technologists, and so it's great, you know, to see everybody come together and raise awareness for our community.
Ray Arambula: Excellent. And thank you so much for coming out and supporting our profession.
Melissa Pergola: Woo woo! Big round of applause.
[video ends]
Melissa Pergola: [laughs] Oh, I love it.
Ray Arambula: Yeah, I love watching you and Brandon give it your all as you approach the finish line.
Melissa Pergola: [laughs]
Ray Arambula: He wasn't about to let you win.
Melissa Pergola: No, I lost.
Ray Arambula: [laughs]
Melissa Pergola: Yeah, so, if you all want to see me lose a race to Brandon again, you need to watch. Yeah.
Ray Arambula: Yeah. Just put that on replay.
Melissa Pergola: I try — I’m not going to lie. I really tried.
Ray Arambula: Did you really?
Melissa Pergola: Yeah, I tried. I — yeah.
Ray Arambula: Well, do you do 5Ks? Is that something you do regularly?
Melissa Pergola: I walk —
Ray Arambula: You walk.
Melissa Pergola: — a 5K. Yeah.
Ray Arambula: Yes, OK. But it was really exciting to see just even the little ones come out and give it their all.
Melissa Pergola: Oh, yeah.
Ray Arambula: I think that says a lot about our community, while having adults and children —
Melissa Pergola: Yes.
Ray Arambula: — all various ages show up and match that enthusiasm.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah. You know what's a cool thing? Laura Niel, our CFO [chief financial officer], does a lot of community outreach for us. And I thought it was so cool. You talk about the little ones? She had some books for them
at the finish line.
Ray Arambula: Oh yeah.
Melissa Pergola: Donut that Roared [by Joan Yordy Brasher with Jackson Grant], and she had some other imaging books for kids, so, it was really neat. Yeah. Especially to see the little kids out there too.
Ray Arambula: Oh, they were so excited for their medal too.
Melissa Pergola: Yes.
Ray Arambula: Yeah. It was very cool. So what type of ripple effect do you think an event like this has?
Melissa Pergola: Yeah, I'll tell you what I hope the ripple effect is. Going back to community and the importance of everyone really trying to do these community events and not only make connections, but as you said, celebrate who
we are and what we do, I hope the ripple event is that all of those medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals and affiliates and hospital institutions that got teams together to do this, that they will do other events, right? We need
to keep doing this type of community building and celebration.
Ray Arambula: Yeah. I really hope it creates even just more conversations.
Melissa Pergola: Yes.
Ray Arambula: You know, whether you're with your professional community, your family. You know, I think it's important to showcase the critical care that our professionals deliver each and every day. You know, and events like this,
it's a way of planting seeds for that, so.
Melissa Pergola: That’s right.
Ray Arambula: Yeah. Let's keep the conversation going.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah. Yeah. So speaking of planting seeds, of course, part of Dr. Heather Moore's presidential initiative was getting together resources where we could use them with guidance counselors and educators and other medical
imaging professionals to go out and educate about our profession, looking to introduce prospective students. But there's also a part of Planting Seeds that is coming out next year, where there'll be a whole tool kit that will assist with planning
community events too. So I think that's so funny that you said planting seeds, because that's something that is coming that will help sort of across the country and give tools to be able to do this type of thing.
Ray Arambula: Yeah, definitely something to watch out for —
Melissa Pergola: Yeah.
Ray Arambula: — and stay tuned for more. So at our event, as you know, we have lots of different participants dressed in very unique —
Melissa Pergola: [laughs] We did.
Ray Arambula: — type costumes and clothing. And, you know, at every event there's always that one person.
Melissa Pergola: [laughs] Yeah.
Ray Arambula: So let's go ahead and watch that next video.
Melissa Pergola: OK.
[video starts]
Ray Arambula: Well, we are just getting started here, and we've got a great turnout so far. We've got all sorts of people, including Spider-Man, apparently. I'm not sure what he's doing, but yeah. There you go. Spider-Man in action.
[video ends]
Melissa Pergola: I can't, with the music and the graphics. Come on.
Ray Arambula: Kim did such a good job.
Melissa Pergola: Oh my God, I love it.
Ray Arambula: Yeah. So yeah, thanks to the special guest for coming out to support our race.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah. You never know who's going to show up, right?
Ray Arambula: You never know. You know, but I think it does, it takes the pressure off of it being a very competitive event. We did have some people compete.
Melissa Pergola: Yes.
Ray Arambula: But it was very family friendly. Lighthearted. So we enjoyed seeing that.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah.
Female Voice: We'll be right back after this short message.
ASRT Ad: Keeping up with your ARRT [American Registry of Radiologic Technologists] CQR [Continuing Qualifications Requirements] doesn't have to be stressful. ASRT has everything you need in one place. From practice tests and study
modules to a CE [Continuing Education] Library with hundreds of CQR approved courses, everything you need is right at your fingertips. ASRT makes it easy to stay current and confident. Learn more at
asrt.org/CQR.
Melissa Pergola: OK, so, Ray, I understand for this game, actually Kim, who's much cooler than you are —
Ray Arambula: Oh, very much.
Melissa Pergola: — knows that there's a game that's kind of trending, right?
Ray Arambula: Yeah.
Melissa Pergola: So I think we need to ask Kim Gawler to come over —
Ray Arambula: Yes.
Melissa Pergola: — and get in front of — or, behind the camera? How do you say it? Get in front of the camera instead of behind the camera and introduce herself and tell us what we're going to play.
Ray Arambula: All right. Kim, come on over.
Melissa Pergola: Welcome, Kim.
Kim Gawler: Hello, everyone.
Melissa Pergola: [laughs]
Ray Arambula: It’s so good to have you here with us.
Kim Gawler: It feels so weird to be in front of the camera.
Ray Arambula: Not just yelling at us from behind the camera all the time.
Kim Gawler: [laughs]
Melissa Pergola: Like, “Stop!” [waves arms around]
Kim Gawler: All right, so today we're going to play the imposter game.
Ray Arambula: OK.
Kim Gawler: So there is —
Melissa Pergola: I don't know what that is. Do you know what that is?
Ray Arambula: I've heard of it. I've never played it.
Melissa Pergola: Oh, come on.
Ray Arambula: Yeah, sorry.
Melissa Pergola: No, you haven't.
Ray Arambula: I have.
Melissa Pergola: You're not cooler than I am.
Ray Arambula: I'm a little bit.
Kim Gawler: [laughs] So with this game, we are going to be describing one word, except one person out of the three of us doesn't actually know what the word is.
Melissa Pergola: Oh.
Kim Gawler: So after we describe it, let's say twice, we'll go around twice.
Melissa Pergola: OK.
Kim Gawler: And by the end of the second round, based on someone describing that word who might not know what it is, we're going to say, “You're the imposter. You're the imposter.” [points]
Melissa Pergola: Oh. So we each vote who we think didn't really know the word.
Kim Gawler: Right.
Melissa Pergola: Oh, I hope I'm the imposter.
Kim Gawler: Yes. All right, let's do it.
Ray Arambula: I got a mean poker face though, so.
Melissa Pergola: [laughs]
Kim Gawler: All right, Melissa's going first.
Melissa Pergola: OK, got it.
Kim Gawler: OK. Ray. So just give one word to describe it, but you might want to be abstract because you don't want to give away the answer to the imposter.
[category is: sports]
Ray Arambula: Olympic.
Melissa Pergola: Ooh.
Kim Gawler: Snow.
Melissa Pergola: Downhill.
Ray Arambula: Warm.
Kim Gawler: Challenging.
Melissa Pergola: Skill.
Kim Gawler: All right. Do you guys want to do one more round, or do you want to vote?
Melissa Pergola: I'm ready to vote.
Ray Arambula: Let's vote.
Kim Gawler: [points] Ray.
Melissa Pergola: [points] Ray.
Ray Arambula: I’m the imposter?
Kim Gawler and Melissa Pergola: Yeah.
Melissa Pergola: I was the imposter —
Kim Gawler: [exclaims and claps hands]
Melissa Pergola: — so I don’t know what the word was. I knew the category was sports.
Kim Gawler: It was skiing.
Ray Arambula: Yeah. It was skiing.
Kim Gawler: It was skiing.
Melissa Pergola: So why did you choose — oh, you can water ski.
Kim Gawler: You are so good. What were your words?
Melissa Pergola: Downhill. Because you said snow and Olympics.
Ray Arambula: See, I was trying to throw you off, though.
Kim Gawler: Yeah.
Melissa Pergola: And you said warm.
Kim Gawler: That's what threw me off. And I was like —
Ray Arambula: Because you can get warm while you're skiing.
Melissa Pergola: You thought I was the imposter immediately. I could see your face.
Ray Arambula: I thought you were.
Melissa Pergola: I knew you did. You went like — [gestures]
Ray Arambula: I know —
Melissa Pergola: “Can I say who the imposter is?”
Ray Arambula: I wanted to call B.S. on you right away. [laughs]
Melissa Pergola: [laughs] But did you —
Kim Gawler: Oh, that was good. No, she fooled me. She fooled me.
Ray Arambula: Yeah. I'm — OK. Let's do another round. Because I think I'm better.
Melissa Pergola: Ray's like, “I think I understand now.”
Kim Gawler: OK, cool.
Ray Arambula: [to Melissa] You're already the imposter. I can tell.
Melissa Pergola and Kim Gawler: [laugh]
[category is: object]
Melissa Pergola: Golf cart.
Kim Gawler: I'm going to say hard.
Ray Arambula: I'm going to say open.
Melissa Pergola: Duplicate.
Melissa Pergola and Kim Gawler: [laugh]
Ray Arambula: You're fishing. I know you are. You’re — are you sweating?
Melissa Pergola: No.
Ray Arambula: I think you're sweating.
Kim Gawler: Metal.
Melissa Pergola: Mm.
Ray Arambula: Clothes.
Melissa Pergola: You're the imposter. [points at Ray]
Ray Arambula: Nope.
Melissa Pergola: Oh my God. How did you get metal?
Kim Gawler: [laughs]
Melissa Pergola: How did you get metal?
Kim Gawler: What was the word?
Melissa Pergola: Keys.
Kim Gawler: [laughs]
Ray Arambula: I totally thought you were it again.
Melissa Pergola: Why?
Ray Arambula: You weren't the imposter?
Melissa Pergola: No.
Ray Arambula: What was your first —
Melissa Pergola: A golf cart needs keys to start.
Kim Gawler: Yeah, that really threw me.
Melissa Pergola: That was my other one.
Ray Arambula: OK, that threw me off.
Melissa Pergola: What was the other one I said?
Kim Gawler: I was really trying so hard not to give it away.
Melissa Pergola: Duplicate.
Ray Arambula: You said duplicate.
Melissa Pergola: Well, because I always lose them, so I have to duplicate. I have to get duplicates of all my keys.
Ray Arambula: What did you think we were talking about?
Kim Gawler: Golf ball or a golf club.
Melissa Pergola: Ohh.
Ray Arambula: But you said metal.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah.
Kim Gawler: Mm-hmm.
Melissa Pergola: So I was like, Oh, she's not the imposter.
Kim Gawler: Because I thought it was, like —
Melissa Pergola: A golf club. Oh my gosh. All right, let's do one more and you start this time.
Kim Gawler: OK, cool. That sounds good.
[category is: household item]
Kim Gawler: Ooh, let me think of a good one. Fuzzy.
Melissa Pergola: Mm, soft.
Ray Arambula: Comforting.
Kim Gawler: Long.
Melissa Pergola: Rectangle.
Ray Arambula: Colorful.
Melissa Pergola: Time to vote.
Ray Arambula and Kim Gawler: [point at Melissa]
Ray Arambula: Yeah.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah.
Ray Arambula, Kim Gawler and Melissa Pergola: [laugh]
Melissa Pergola: What was it?
Kim Gawler: Socks.
Ray Arambula: “Rectangle.”
Melissa Pergola: Oh. [laughs] I was thinking it was a blanket.
Ray Arambula and Kim Gawler: Ohh.
Melissa Pergola: Warm, cozy, soft.
Ray Arambula: OK. OK.
Kim Gawler: Uh-huh. I love it.
Ray Arambula: I'm glad I said colorful, too, because that could tie in with the blanket.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah. Yeah, you guys got me.
Ray Arambula: Yeah.
Melissa Pergola: Well, thank you for playing with us, Kim.
Kim Gawler: Of course.
Ray Arambula: Thanks, Kim. That was fun.
Kim Gawler: Thanks for having me, guys.
Ray Arambula: Yeah.
Melissa Pergola: Kim.
Kim Gawler: [giggles]
Ray Arambula: All right, guess what's next.
Melissa Pergola: Uh, what's next?
Ray Arambula: We See You segment.
Melissa Pergola: Oh, I love it.
Ray Arambula: Yes. Let's go ahead and play it.
Melissa Pergola: OK.
Andrea Flores: Hello, my name is Andrea and I'm a radiation therapist and x-ray tech. So currently we have a severe shortage in our field. So I am wondering outside of the Be Seen campaign, what is something that we, as the frontlines
R.T.s, can do to really promote our field and bring awareness to the amazing work that we do?
Melissa Pergola: Yeah. Well, this is a perfect question for this community segment.
Ray Arambula: Yeah. Yeah.
Melissa Pergola: So I would say that outside of Be Seen — and by Be Seen, I'm assuming that you mean the commercials — that we should be telling people who we are and what we do and promoting our profession every day.
Ray Arambula: Yeah.
Melissa Pergola: So whether that's with family members or your neighbors, or your patients. Because we need to inspire that next generation to enter the schools. So I would say being an advocate for ourselves every day and promoting
this as the greatest profession that exists, because it is.
Ray Arambula: I love that.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah.
Ray Arambula: It's sometimes not the flashy things, right? It's those grassroots types efforts that we need to do at the local level.
Melissa Pergola: Yes, yes.
Ray Arambula: So I wholeheartedly agree with everything you said, and I think — and then over time you see those small interactions and conversations, they begin to stack up —
Melissa Pergola: Yes.
Ray Arambula: — and really grow in a way that is more meaningful, and, I think, gives a different sense of value, so.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah. And I mentioned in this episode, the Planting Seeds tool kit is coming. So that will also provide resources to be able to do education in your community, to really assist with bringing in that next generation.
Ray Arambula: Yeah. Great question.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah, thank you.
Ray Arambula: Thank you for that.
Melissa Pergola: Hey, Ray, guess what time it is.
Ray Arambula: What time is it?
Melissa Pergola: Well, it's time to not put yourself in a bad position.
Ray Arambula: Stay up to date with “The RAD Position.”
Melissa Pergola: That's right. As a member of the ASRT, you can help shape the profession by voting in the ASRT election. Vote for candidates dedicated to advancing the profession, safeguarding patient safety and advocating for the
critical role that you play in health care. The candidates you elect will serve as officers on the ASRT Board of Directors or as delegates representing their chapters. Seize this opportunity to make your voice count. Polls are open February 10th
through March 3rd, 2026, and you can learn more at
asrt.org/Election.
Ray Arambula: That was a lot of fun.
Melissa Pergola: It was.
Ray Arambula: I loved seeing the recap videos.
Melissa Pergola: [laughs] “That was a lot of fun.” It was. [laughs]
Ray Arambula: Man on the street. Hope I get to return for that.
Melissa Pergola: Oh my God, you were so — and I don't do this often. That's not true. I probably do. But you were really good.
Ray Arambula: Oh, thank you.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah.
Ray Arambula: I enjoyed it. I enjoyed it. But that was a really fun event we got to participate in, and just seeing the community come together, really exciting. And thank you all who came out. And thank you across the nation who
supported us in this event.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah, and keep this going.
Ray Arambula: Yes.
Melissa Pergola: And also we got to see Kim on camera for the first time.
Ray Arambula: I know.
Melissa Pergola: So, full community together.
Ray Arambula: Yes.
Kim Gawler: [whoops off-screen]
Melissa Pergola: [laughs]
Ray Arambula: All on display with our trucker hats.
Melissa Pergola: Oh, I love it. All right. Well, as we head out on this one, I would remind everyone again to like and share the podcast.
Ray Arambula: Or you can write in at
[email protected]. We'd love to hear your stories.
Melissa Pergola: Yeah. And to all our medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals —
Ray Arambula: — be seen —
Melissa Pergola: — and stay rad.