The ASRT has announced the recipients of its distinguished author awards, recognizing the best peer-reviewed articles published in ASRT’s scientific journals in 2020. Presented annually, the awards are chosen by members of each journal’s respective Editorial Review Board after a comprehensive review of all scholarly articles published in the journals during the previous calendar year.
The Radiologic Technology Distinguished Author Award in Honor of Jean I. Widger goes to Tammy L. Webster, Ph.D., R.T.(R)(M), FAEIRS, and Kevin R. Clark, Ed.D., R.T.(R)(QM). Their article, “COVID-19 Planning Among Radiologic Science Programs: Response Mitigation Activities,” was published in the November/December issue of Radiologic Technology.
Dr. Webster is associate professor and assistant dean for academic affairs and is the radiography, cardiovascular interventional technology, and computed tomography director with the College of Allied Health Professions for the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Dr. Clark is assistant professor and associate graduate program director with the School of Health Professions for The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
The goal of their original research study was to examine radiologic science programs’ mitigation activities and educators’ experiences related to COVID-19 response planning. They found that archiving radiologic science programs’ COVID-19 response efforts is important. The compilation of mitigation strategies will inform and guide programs on contingency planning for future pandemic and emergent conditions.
Tammy Webster
Kevin Clark
In addition, this year the Radiation Therapist Distinguished Author Award in Honor of Harold Silverman goes to Rosann Keller, M.Ed., R.T.(T), and Amy A. Heath, M.S., R.T.(T), for their article, “Cognitive Biases and Errors in Radiation Therapy,” which was published in the fall 2020 issue of Radiation Therapist.
Keller is a radiation therapist and certified tumor registrar in Detroit, Michigan, and former assistant professor of radiation therapy technology at Wayne State University in Detroit. Heath is education director of the radiation oncology department for the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics and adjunct faculty member of the Radiation Therapy Program for the University of Wisconsin – LaCrosse.
The goal of their systematic review of literature was to describe common cognitive biases that can lead to radiation therapy errors. They found that several common cognitive biases can lead to radiation therapy errors, including automaticity, inattentional blindness, illusion of attention, and illusion of knowledge. Human error can result in treatment misadministration and near misses. Radiation therapists can take actions to reduce the risk of error caused by cognitive biases.
Rosann Keller
Amy Heath
The Widger award is named after long-time Radiologic Technology editor Jean I. Widger. The Silverman award is named in honor of radiation therapist Harold Silverman, an advocate for accreditation of radiation therapy educational programs.
The ASRT will honor the recipients at the Honors Event on June 19 at the virtual ASRT Annual Governance and House of Delegates Meeting.