The ASRT has announced the recipients of its distinguished author awards, recognizing the best peer-reviewed articles published in ASRT’s scientific journals in 2021. 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 Asher Street Beam, D.H.A., R.T.(R)(MR), MRSO; Kristi Moore, Ph.D., R.T.(R)(CT); Shamsi D. Berry, Ph.D., CPHI; Lee Brown, D.H.A., R.T.(R)(N), CNMT; Stephanie Smith, M.S., R.T.(R)(MR); Alex Wilcher, M.S., R.T.(R)(MR); Aurlivia Bibbs, M.S., R.T.(R)(MR); and Isaiah Beemon, M.S., R.T.(R)(MR). Their article, “An Investigation of MR Imaging Scanner Noise and its Effect on Technologists,” was published in the July/August 2021 issue of Radiologic Technology.
Dr. Street Beam is director of the Master of Science in Magnetic Resonance Imaging program and associate professor for the Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Health Related Professions.
Dr. Moore is chair and director for the Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences and professor of Radiologic Sciences at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Health Related Professions.
Dr. Berry is assistant professor for the Department of Biomedical Informatics at the Western Michigan University, Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine.
Dr. Brown is director of the Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences program and assistant professor for the Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Health Related Professions.
Stephanie Smith, Alex Wilcher, Aurlivia Bibbs and Isaiah Beemon are graduates of the Master of Science in Magnetic Resonance Imaging program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Health Related Professions.
The goal of their original research study was to investigate the level of noise that magnetic resonance imaging technologists are exposed to during daily tasks and the prevalence of hearing loss among MR imaging technologists. They found that technologists are exposed for short periods to decibel levels higher than U.S. government-recommended occupational limits. Statistical analysis of survey results showed no association between time spent working in an MR imaging department; however, results did show an association between hearing loss and entering the scan room during image acquisition.
In addition, this year the Radiation Therapist Distinguished Author Award in Honor of Harold Silverman goes to Jana Koth, M.P.H., R.T.(R)(T); Brendan Coutu, M.D.; Lisa Bartenhagen, M.S., R.T.(R)(T); Weining Zhen, M.D.; Cindy Arneson, B.S., R.N.; Elizabeth Lyden, M.S.; Morgan Taft, B.S., R.T.(R)(T); Brett Thomas, B.S., R.T.(R)(T); Kim Wilson, B.S., R.T.(R)(T); and Nathan Bennion, M.D., for their article, “Assessing Anxiety Alleviation Through an Informational Video Before Head and Neck Irradiation,” which was published in the fall 2021 issue of Radiation Therapist.
Jana Koth is a clinical education coordinator for the Radiation Therapy program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Her research interests are in patient and student education, cancer prevention and treatment, and survivorship.
Dr. Coutu is a resident in radiation oncology in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. His research interests include physician and patient education. He manages various oncologic disease sites with special interests in the management of head and neck malignancies and lymphoma.
Lisa Bartenhagen is the Charles R. O’Malley Endowed Chair for the Department of Clinical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Sciences. She has also served as director of the Radiation Therapy program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center for 22 years.
Dr. Zhen is professor and medical director in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He manages various oncologic disease sites with special interests in the management of head and neck malignancies and lung cancer.
Cindy Arneson is a registered nurse who spent most of her career caring for head and neck radiation oncology patients and now works in hospice care.
Elizabeth Lyden works for the Department of Biostatistics at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She provides consultation, data analysis and manuscript preparation in the departments of Infectious Disease, Orthopedic Surgery, Anesthesiology, Internal Medicine and Allied Health. She is interested in projects that involve nutritional status and its impact on disease development.
Morgan Taft is a radiation therapist at Nebraska Medicine with 13 years of experience. Her research interests include patient education. Brett Thomas is a radiation therapist at Nebraska Medicine and a clinical preceptor for students. His research interests include safety and quality assurance.
Kim Wilson is the lead radiation therapist at Nebraska Medicine and has 18 years of experience.
Dr. Bennion is a radiation oncologist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. His clinical and research interests include breast cancer, accelerated partial breast irradiation, hypofractionation, heart-sparing radiation, gynecologic oncology and brachytherapy.
The goal of their original research study was to characterize the effect an informational video designed to reduce treatment-related anxiety had on patients with head and neck malignancies who viewed it after their initial radiation oncology consultation. Koth et al found no significant difference in the mean overall anxiety scores between the control and intervention groups. However, they saw improvements in isolated questions on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Adults short form Y-1 and in the subgroups of sex, marital status, smoking status and time from diagnosis to consultation with radiation oncology.
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 Evening Event on June 24 at the ASRT Annual Governance and House of Delegates Meeting in Orlando, Florida.