The American Society of Radiologic Technologists has named 109 individuals from across the country to participate in the 2026 Student to Leadership Development Program. See the 2026 active selected participants list.

The SLDP is a three-year program that offers participants an opportunity to learn about the ASRT, attend the ASRT Annual Governance and House of Delegates Meeting, and network with medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals. Participants will attend the annual meeting, June 25-28, 2026, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Airfare, housing and a stipend for meals and other travel expenses are also provided.

The program is open to ASRT student members aged 18 and older enrolled in an accredited, primary medical imaging or radiation therapy program at the time of application. Applicants must be members of the ASRT and an active ASRT affiliate society at the time of application and throughout their three years in the program. To learn more about the program visit this link.

The 2026 vacancy rate for radiation therapists decreased to 11.4% and the vacancy rate for medical dosimetrists decreased to 6.8%, according to the biennial ASRT Radiation Therapy Workplace and Staffing Survey. This is compared to a 13.6% vacancy rate for radiation therapists and 9.6% for medical dosimetrists reported in the 2024 staffing survey.

Vacancy rates represent the number of unfilled positions that are actively being recruited. The changes in vacancy rates in medical imaging and radiation therapy captured in ASRT’s staffing surveys have served as a catalyst for the Society to work with peer organizations to develop strategies to address the current workforce shortage. In addition, the survey results provide employers with data so they can make informed decisions.

"ASRT is leading action to address workforce shortages through work groups from the Consensus Committee on the Future of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, the Be Seen public awareness campaign and the Planting Seeds outreach initiative, which encourages students to enter the professional pipeline," said Melissa Culp, M.Ed., R.T.(R)(MR), ASRT executive vice president of member engagement.

The survey also tracks longitudinal changes in staffing levels in radiation therapy and medical dosimetry. According to survey results, the average number of full-time equivalent radiation therapist positions budgeted at each facility decreased slightly from 8.3 in 2024 to 8.1. The number of FTE dosimetrist positions budgeted per facility increased slightly from 2.7 in 2024 to 2.8 in 2026.

Overall, the average number of FTE therapists budgeted per facility increased from 6.0 in 2004 to 8.1 in 2026, an increase of 2.1 over the 22-year period. The number of FTE dosimetrists budgeted per facility increased from 1.6 in 2004 to 2.8 in 2026, an increase of 1.2 throughout the same period.

ASRT emailed the biennial survey in February 2026 to 23,145 radiation therapists and medical dosimetrists. At the close of the survey in March 2026, 560 respondents had completed the questionnaire, for a response rate of 2.4%. At its widest, a sample size of 560 yields a margin of error of ± 4.1% for overall percentages at the 95% confidence level.

More than 30 representatives from radiologic science corporations and associations met at the American Society of Radiologic Technologists office in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Jan. 22 to develop ideas and strategies to address the current radiologic technology workforce shortage.

Hosted by the ASRT Foundation, the Corporate Roundtable Future of the Profession Corporate Working Group focused on two main strategies:

• How corporate partners can increase public awareness about the profession to younger people.
• How to create frameworks and tools with the aim of improving medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals’ engagement with their workplace, job satisfaction and recognition.

This and other workgroups were formed after the Consensus Committee on the Future of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy meeting, which was hosted by ASRT, American Registry of Radiologic Technology and Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology in February 2024. The committee's work resulted in the White Paper from the 2024 Consensus Committee on the Future of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, which focuses on six key areas to address the workforce shortage, strengthen the profession and build career pathways for professionals.

"The conversations at this meeting demonstrate how much our corporate partners are eager to work with us in finding successful and sustainable solutions for the future of the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession," said Steve Hardy, M.S., R.T.(R)(T)(CT), CMD, chief operating officer for the ASRT Foundation and executive vice president of development and corporate relations.

Corporate participants from Accuray, Carestream, Elekta, GE HealthCare, Hologic, Siemens Healthineers and Varian attended alongside association leaders from the ASRT, ARRT and JRCERT.

"I am absolutely thrilled that the Foundation brought together the Corporate Roundtable so that our corporate sponsors can also talk about ways that they can impact the future of the profession. It is so important that we bring think tanks together to not only brainstorm solutions, but also take action on those solutions," said ASRT CEO and Executive Director Melissa B. Pergola, Ed.D., R.T.(R)(M), FASRT, CAE.

The outcomes of this meeting will be presented at the 2025 ASRT Foundation Corporate Roundtable Summit, April 29-May 1, in Tucson, Arizona, where action items will be determined.

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists has donated $10,000 to the American Red Cross to assist with disaster relief efforts across the southeastern U.S. caused by Hurricane Helene. The donation is being made on behalf of ASRT’s 156,000 members, the health care professionals who perform medical imaging procedures or plan and deliver radiation therapy treatments.

Nearly 41,000 ASRT members live and work in the Southeast region of the U.S. where the storm has had significant impact.

"It is vital that we provide this assistance to those affected by this catastrophic storm. We are aware that many of our own ASRT members, staff and their families may have been impacted and we are committed to their recovery," said ASRT President Heather Moore, Ph.D., R.T.(R).

The Red Cross is working diligently with its partners on the ground to mobilize relief supplies and disaster workers and is coordinating with local and state officials to support people in need.

"We also want to recognize the first responders, emergency personnel and health care workers for their heroic efforts in providing care and comfort to those affected," added ASRT Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Melissa B. Pergola, Ed.D., R.T.(R)(M), FASRT, CAE.

The ASRT is seeking qualified members interested in a volunteer position as a council member for the International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists.

The duties, qualifications and time commitments required for this opening are available through the link below:

Please contact ASRT Volunteer Services at [email protected] with any questions or concerns.

To see all current positions available, visit the Open Volunteer Opportunities page.

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists and local Albuquerque, New Mexico, community partner RunFit, have registered nearly 1,000 participants located in 49 states and four countries to walk or run in the ASRT RAD Dash 5K on Saturday, Nov. 8 to coincide with the discovery of the x-ray on that day in 1895 and to celebrate National Radiologic Technology Week®.

Established in 1979, NRTW® celebrates the vital role medical imaging and radiation therapy play on the health care team. The 5K community event provides ASRT an opportunity to educate the public about NRTW, ASRT and the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession.

One participant, Josh Lucero, a registered radiologic technologist at Presbyterian Rust Medical Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, said he’s more excited than ever to join the RAD Dash 5K Walk/Run. “I want every step to highlight the strength of medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals who deliver critical care every day,” he said. “I’m a proud member of this professional community where we matter.”

The in-person event will be held at the Bosque School in Albuquerque with the 5K starting at 10 a.m. and the Kids K at 11 a.m. For more information visit the website.

The 2024 vacancy rate for radiation therapists increased to 13.6% while the vacancy rate for medical dosimetrists decreased to 9.6%, according to the ASRT Radiation Therapy Workplace and Staffing Survey. This is compared to a 10.7% vacancy rate for radiation therapists and 11.4% for medical dosimetrists in 2022.

Vacancy rates represent the number of unfilled positions that are actively being recruited. The increase in vacancy rates in medical imaging and radiation therapy captured in ASRT’s staffing surveys has served as a catalyst for the Society to work with peer organizations to develop strategies to address the current workforce shortage.

"In February 2024, ASRT, American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology co-hosted the Consensus Committee on the Future of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, which included representatives from 15 organizations spanning the profession. From this meeting, sponsoring organizations are actively collaborating to address workforce shortages by 1) articulating career pathways, 2) creating a pipeline from formal education programs to the workplace and 3) expanding opportunities for education and training that meets the emerging needs of students. Through this work, ASRT is taking steps to advocate for the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession and to support workforce and staffing," said Melissa Culp, M.Ed., R.T.(R)(MR), executive vice president of member engagement.

The survey also tracks longitudinal changes in staffing levels in radiation therapy and medical dosimetry. For example, the average number of full-time equivalent radiation therapist positions budgeted at each facility rose from 7.3 in 2022 to 8.3 in 2024.

Overall, the average number of FTE therapists budgeted per facility has increased by 2.3 during a 20-year period — from 6.0 in 2004 to 8.3 in 2024. The number of FTE dosimetrist positions budgeted per facility rose from 2.4 in 2022 to 2.7 in 2024. Overall, the number of FTE dosimetrists budgeted per facility has increased by 1.1 during a 20-year period — from 1.6 in 2004 to 2.7 in 2024.

ASRT emailed the biennial survey in May 2024 to 22,892 radiation therapists and medical dosimetrists. At the close of the survey in June 2024, 645 respondents from all U.S. states, except Montana, had submitted completed questionnaires for a response rate of 2.8%.

Gregory Morrison,
M.A., R.T.(R), CNMT, CAE

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists announced that the four-story tower structure that houses its revered ASRT Museum and Archives at its office in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been formally named the Morrison Tower after the former ASRT Deputy Chief Executive Officer Gregory Morrison, M.A., R.T.(R), CNMT, CAE.

Morrison was the visionary behind the ASRT building expansion, which was dedicated in 2015. On Feb. 6, a ceremony was held in Morrison’s honor at the ASRT office to recognize his years of service to ASRT and to the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession. Generous ASRT members and supporters donated more than $25,000 to enable the naming of this space. One hundred percent of the donation goes to the ASRT Foundation’s area of greatest need to support grants and scholarships.

Having spent his early career in nuclear medicine, computed tomography, magnetic resonance and sonography at Trinity Hospital in Minot, North Dakota, Morrison joined ASRT in 1993 as director of continuing education. He was promoted to chief operating officer, associate executive director and, finally, deputy chief executive officer before retiring in January 2022.

While at ASRT, Morrison was instrumental in the creation of the ASRT Museum and Archives, where he served as its executive director. He regularly served in volunteer roles for a variety of professional associations including the American Society of Association Executives, American Alliance of Museums, the North Dakota Society of Radiologic Technologists, the American College of Radiology and the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, among others. Morrison is a Lester Shook honorary lecturer with the NDSRT and trustee emeritus for The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History.

“Greg has always been a trusted partner in our professional lives as a voice of reason in meetings, a mentor to many and someone whose dedication and integrity left a lasting mark on the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession,” said ASRT CEO and Executive Director Melissa B. Pergola, Ed.D., R.T.(R)(M), FASRT, CAE. “Whether you worked alongside Greg, learned from him or simply admired the calm confidence he brought into the room, now is our moment to honor him.”

Morrison earned ASRT Life Member status in 2023. This year marks his 41st year as an ASRT member.

An intersocietal consensus workgroup of national radiation oncology organizations, led by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists and American Association of Medical Dosimetrists, is working to evaluate and define the advanced practice radiation therapist role within the radiation oncologist-led team. Additionally, this workgroup aims to understand the workforce needs of the medical dosimetrist community.

Consensus workgroup appointees are from the American Society for Radiation Oncology, American College of Radiology, American Association of Physicists in Medicine, Advanced Practice Radiation Therapy Working Group, American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, the Society for Radiation Oncology Administrators, AAMD and ASRT. Varian and Elekta representatives provide members of the workgroup with an industry perspective.

This and other workgroups were formed after the Consensus Committee on the Future of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy meeting, which was hosted by ASRT, ARRT and Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology in February 2024.

In its latest blog post on the Advocacy Action Center website, the ASRT Government Relations Department reflects on state advocacy wins and federal actions taken in 2024 and new advocacy tools for 2025.

Meredith Check, ASRT director of government relations and public policy, describes how collaborative efforts helped protect medical imaging and radiation therapy licensure laws in New Hampshire, maintained equipment regulations in Michigan and improved state licensure in Washington state.

Additionally, the Government Relations Department will roll out its Advocacy Toolkit by the end of 2024. The toolkit will be available in advocacy resources and includes a guidebook for advocates to learn about relevant policy proposals and identify and communicate with their elected officials at the state and federal levels.

The Advocacy Action Center is a resource for the medical imaging and radiation therapy community to learn about the legislative and regulatory efforts in their states and provides technologists and the public with tools to contact state and federal officials.