As your elected ASRT Board of Directors, our concerns and sympathies mirror your own. Every decision we make during this global health crisis is informed by the professional and personal experiences we share with you, the 156,000 members of this respected and diverse organization. We understand what you are going though and are here to support you.
Today, we would like you to know some of the decisions we have made and some of the actions we have taken to address the multitude of critical issues we face due to this global pandemic.
Transparency and Communication
The ASRT Board of Directors is committed to an open and honest accounting of our progress and the decisions we are making. ASRT President Stephanie Johnston has been a constant presence with near-weekly written communications, social media posts and video messages. Look for this to continue.
Our social media platforms have seen unprecedented engagement as the professional community looks to ASRT for trusted information and guidance. The ASRT Communities , our robust online member forum, has been a welcome source of shared knowledge as we face new and unprecedented workplace concerns.
Legislative Advocacy
ASRT has called on the governors of every state and every member of Congress to demand immediate action to protect radiologic technologists so they may safely care for patients during the COVID-19 crisis. More than 7,000 members shared this call to action for increased access to PPE by contacting their elected representatives. Together, we are a movement.
ASRT continues to closely monitor federal legislative relief packages, hazard pay initiatives and other measures to influence positive outcomes.
Compassionate Relief
To support radiologic technologist who have contracted COVID-19 or have experienced layoffs, furloughs or decreased work hours, the ASRT Foundation Board of Trustees, along with the ASRT Board of Directors, created the ASRT Foundation’s COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund, a $100,000 fund that provides financial relief to qualified ASRT members.
In response to the overwhelming demand from members affected by COVID-19, the ASRT Board of Directors approved an additional $100,000 and the ASRT Foundation Board of Trustees approved another $50,000 to support the fund. In addition, individual donors have contributed more than $8,000 bringing the fund’s total relief aid to more than $250,000.
Student and Educator Resources
Through our COVID-19 Resources webpage, ASRT is providing materials to help radiologic technologists, educators and students adapt to online learning. ASRT offers a rich array of web-based instructional content along with important COVID-19 information.
Annual Meeting Evaluation
Planning is still ongoing for the ASRT Educational Symposium and Annual Governance and House of Delegates Meeting scheduled for Albuquerque, New Mexico, June 24-28. However, there are still obstacles involving travel, and large gatherings are banned in New Mexico. For that reason, and because the health and safety of attendees and staff are our first priority, we are researching alternate options. Any changes to scheduled events will be communicated directly to prospective attendees.
This is a time of great difficulty for all of us, and each of us has a role to play in restoring health and safety. We applaud your strength and resilience. Be assured the ASRT Board of Directors will always embody your best interests and continue to proudly stand for this profession.
Thank you,
Melissa B. Jackowski, Ed.D., R.T.(R)(M), FASRT
Chairman of the Board
Stephanie Johnston, M.S.R.S., R.T.(R)(M)(BD)(BS), FASRT
President
Michael Odgren, B.S., R.P.A., R.R.A., R.T.(R)(CT)
President-elect
Kristi Moore, Ph.D., R.T.(R)(CT)
Vice President
Meredith Gammons, M.H.A., M.B.A., R.T.(R)(M)(CT)(MR)(BD)
Secretary
Heather Moore, Ph.D., R.T.(R)
Treasurer
Joseph Whitton, M.S., R.T.(R)(CT)(MR), FASRT
Speaker of the House
Daniel DeMaio, M.Ed., R.T.(R)(CT)
Vice Speaker of the House