PRIME FACTORS

SPRING 2006

 

 

 

 

This issue at a glance:

             

·       President’s Report pgs 2-3

 

·       COP Report pgs 4-5

 

·       Governance Report pgs 5-6

o      RT in DC Pictures pgs 7-8

 

·       January board meeting: Secretary Report pgs 9-12

 

·       Conference survey results pg 12

 

·       2006 Conference schedule pgs 13-14 and registration form pg 15

 

·       Scientific Awards Report pg 16

 

 

President’s Report

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Dear SDSRT members,

 

Well, go ahead and say it! I jinxed us in my last letter. I was gloating over the nice weather and being able to ride my motorcycle in Jan instead of the snow blower, but I now find myself frantically trying to get my snow blower running (it sat too long unused!) for what I hope is the last snow of the year. Oh well, overall it’s been a mild winter and spring is practically upon us, and our annual SDSRT conference is on its heels.

 

As a reminder, the conference is in Pierre this year on May 4-6th. If you haven’t made your conference and hotel reservations you need to do it as soon as possible. The conference information is here on our website under “Upcoming Events”. If you plan on attending but haven’t renewed your SDSRT membership, please do so and your conference registration will be cheaper! It will be a great time so I encourage you to attend this year and bring along some co-workers.

 

Our membership drive was completed, and our membership appears to be down slightly this year. If you haven’t sent yours in yet please do so. We had a favorable response with our future conference site survey with the majority of responses stating they would prefer having the conference in Chamberlain every three years with the other years rotating between bidding sites, (which we hope will alternate from each side of the state). Also the surveys showed a strong majority in favor of creating a conference committee to help the conference site host organize the conference each year. Please check our website for the details of these surveys. We will make the results of these surveys official at our annual conference in May.  

 

Several of us just returned from RT in DC where we joined 100+ techs from around the country in lobbying for the RadCARE and CARE Bill. It was a great experience! Prior to this I had been to DC several times, but never in this capacity. It was truly a learning experience, and an honor to be representing the SD society. We are excited about this year because we currently have the most co-sponsors to the CARE Bill than prior years, and the RadCARE Bill senate sponsors are about the best two that we could ask for to give us a good chance of success this year.

 

The ASRT international Conference in Denver is quickly arriving as well. Again, I encourage everyone to try and attend this rare opportunity. I hear that at least one of our radiology school classes is going! What an experience they will have.

 

In closing I would like to invite everyone to look around our website. There are photos, links, and other information that we hope you will enjoy and find useful. Also, the suggested changes to our bylaws are there for you to review and make comments on or suggestions. These changes will be voted on at the annual conference, so please take the time to become familiar with them.

 

Please feel free to contact me with any issues, concerns, complaints or comments. I look forward to seeing many of you in Pierre!!!

 

Sincerely;

 

Tom Davis RT(R)(CT)

SDSRT President

 

Chairman of the Board Report

 

 

Greetings!

 

 

Welcome Spring!  Well, maybe not quite yet.  I look outside and still see snow, but spring is just around the corner, and with it comes our annual meeting in Pierre.  The technologists in Pierre are hard at work to put together a great conference again this year.  I hope everyone plans on attending and supporting the SDSRT.  Sometimes the talks don’t specifically fit each and everyone’s needs, but we all can get something out of any continuing education meeting.  This is a great time to see old friends, meet new ones, and network with other technologists in the state.  I encourage each and every one of you to attend.

 

Last week I attended RT in DC.  What a great experience.  We met with Representative Stephanie Herseth, who is already cosponsoring the CARE bill, and with aids in both Senator Tim Johnson and Senator John Thune’s office.  Senator Johnson has cosponsored the RADCARE bill in the past and will again this year.  Senator Thune wanted more information, and felt that it was a state’s rights issue.  We need to let both them know how important this legislation is.  EVERYONE needs to email them as soon as possible to encourage them to cosponsor and vote for this bill, and email Representative Herseth and thank her for her support.  Please do this and encourage your fellow technologists and friends to do the same.  You can go to the ASRT website for a form letter, or write your own.  The email addresses are on the website, also.

 

We have proposed changes to our bylaws, which will be voted on at the annual meeting on Pierre.  Please look these over.  They are posted on the website under “special announcement”. 

 

We are still looking for someone to be our Executive Secretary.  This is a paid position in our society, and will have a two year contract.  The duties are posted on the website and only take about a couple hours a week, with some times of the year a little busier.  Please look these over and apply for the job! 

 

If you haven’t done so already, PLEASE JOIN OUR SOCIETY!  We cannot continue to function with our members.  There are a lot of technologists that only join if they are attending the annual meeting, but this should not be the case.  Every technologist in the state needs to support our society whether or not they attend the meeting.  The society does a lot of good things for our profession and we need the support of each and every one of you. 

 

I hope to see everyone in Pierre.  Have a great spring!

 

Karen Otterberg, RT(R)(M)

SDSRT Chairman

 

 

Governance Report:

 

RT in DC:   

 

On March 11th-14th, the annual RT in DC was held at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington, DC. This event sponsored by ASRT to lobby our legislators in support of the CARE and RadCARE bills was attended by over 100 Radiologic Technologists from throughout the United States.  Those representing the SDSRT include Karen Otterberg, Val Jacobson, Tom Davis, Rhonda Engebretson, and Sharon Wartenbee.  Those representing the Siouxland Society include Mitzi Drey, Jill Schultz, and Beth Weber.  Visits were made to Senator Johnson's Office, Senator Thune's Office, and a personal visit with Representative Stephanie Herseth.  Senator Johnson and Representative Herseth gave their official endorsement of the bills and have committed their co sponsorship. Senator Thune was on the Senate floor voting so we visited for over 45 minutes with Mollie Zito, his legislative health aide. She stated that Senator Thune considered this matter a states rights issue and was waiting to see what happened at the state level.  We will continue to work with Senator Thune and his office and hopefully convince them that minimum standards are needed for all states. Our family's health care is too important to place in the hands of unqualified individuals.

 

Sharon Wartenbee

SDSRT Governance Chairperson

 

________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After RT in DC we have five new CARE bill cosponsors:  Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE), Rep. Julia Carson (D-IN-7), Rep. Edolpus Towns (D-NY-10), Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC-3) and Rep. Sue Kelly (R-NY-19).  Also, Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) has signed on to the RadCARE bill.  I'm sure there will be more to follow! - Christine

 

 Christine J. Lung, CAE

Director of Government Relations

American Society of Radiologic Technologists

15000 Central Ave. SE

Albuquerque, NM 87123-3917

505-298-4500 x. 1308/800-444-2778/fax 505-298-5063

 

 

SDSRT:

 

Officer Election Results

 

There were 243 ballots mailed with 61 ballots returned.

 

 

Rhonda Engebretson is the President Elect.

 

Melissa Goble is the Vice-President.

 

Abby VandenHoek is the Secretary, has since declined the position.

 

Karen Otterberg is the ASRT Delegate.

 

Tom Davis is the President Elect for the remaining 2005-2006 term.

 

 

 

RT In DC Pictures:

 

 

 

 

 

Secretary’s Report for January 2006 Board Meeting

 

SDSRT Winter Board Meeting

 

Members present:

Karen Otterberg, Tom Davis, Erika Thedens, Nan Bradeen

 

Other SDSRT members:

Sharon Wartenbee, LeAnne Messer, Jill Reinesch

 

The meeting was called to order at 11:00 AM at Mitchell Technical Institute.

 

New Business:

Web Site

There was discussion how to make the web site easier to navigate and produce. Bookmarks are to be added to assist the visitor to find the section of Prime Factors more easily. There will be a Prime Factor bookmark with all the Prime Factors: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. There will also be a bookmark for legislation. All information is to be sent to the Executive Secretary, and he/she will forward the information onto Jill, the webmaster. The documents should be in word utilizing 12” font. Verdana is the type of font to be used for documents. All photographs should be sent to the Executive Secretary along with where the photo should be placed. The Executive Secretary will forward the information onto Jill, and Jill will insert the photos.

 

Secretary’s Report:

The secretary’s report was reviewed and accepted.

 

Financial Report:

The budget was reviewed and accepted.

 

Committee Reports:

ASRT Delegate Report:

Beth Weber reported that the ASRT ballot will be on the ASRT website February 1, 2006. Remember to and encourage others to vote. RT in DC will be March 11-14, 2006. The Region meeting will be April 1st, in St. Paul, Minnesota. The International Society of Radiologic Technologists will be June 9-13 in Denver. She has been assisting with the SDSRT bill for the State of South Dakota.

 

 

 

Life Membership:

Spread the word about the scholarship for students. There was only one application for 2 scholarships.

 

By Laws Committee:

By laws will be posted on the website February 1st. A blast email will be sent to the membership and voting will occur at the state conference in Pierre.

 

Vice President’s Report:

Three judges have been selected for the scientific papers and the deadline is February 1st  for the scientific papers and exhibits the SDSRT Annual Conference.

 

Mail Ballot:

There were 243 ballots mailed with 61 ballots returned. Rhonda Engebretson is the President Elect. Melissa Goble is the Vice-President. Abby VandenHoek is the Secretary. Karen Otterberg is the ASRT Delegate. Tom Davis is the President Elect for the remaining 2005-2006 term.

 

Student Mentor Program:

Letters were sent to the Program Directors about the mentor program and the ASRT leadership academy. Bill Delehant, MTI, will be the student mentor.

 

Membership:

It was discussed to batch send cards of members to their employers. A stamp will be made with the SDSRT logo, and 5 will be made, Erika is in charge.

 

Convention Report:

Karen received the report from Val. The schedule of events is to be sent to Karen and she will get it to the website. All is going well with the convention.

The convention handbook revision is tabled.

 

General Business:

 

The South Dakota Licensure Bill:

There was discussion about the bill. The board will do a survey, because there is not an accurate count of LXMO’s in South Dakota. This information is important for the 2007 legislative session.

 

 

 

RT in DC:

It is March 12-14 those representing the SDSRT include Karen Otterberg, Val Jacobson, Tom Davis, and Sharon Wartenbee. Those representing the Siouxland Society are Mitzi Drey, JoEllen Hagemeyer, and Beth Weber.

 

Executive Secretary/ Prime Factors Editor:

It will be mandatory that the Executive Secretary will attend all board meetings.  Hotel and gas will be covered for the Executive Secretary to attend the SDSRT meeting. The position will be a contracted position, and it will be listed on the website. Applications are due April 1st.  Tracy Iversen is the interim Executive Secretary. Prime Factors: Jill is to keep track of her time, and reimbursement will be granted accordingly.

 

Policy and Procedure Manual:

Tabled

 

Historian:

Sharon checked into putting the books on CD, and it will be approximately $60 for each book that is copied.  It will be put into next year’s budget.

 

Bulk Mail:

Executive Secretary is to check into the bulk mail options with the US postal service.

 

 

Asset Inventory:

Eileen Horn will purchase the SDSRT computer and accessories for $170.00.

 

Region IV Meeting:

The meeting is Saturday, April 1st at the Embassy Suites in St. Paul, Minnesota. Those attending will be Tom Davis, Beth Weber, and Karen Otterberg. Also, the chapter delegates are required to attend to receive reimbursement, and those delegates are Sharon Wartenbee, Charlene Schroeter, JoEllen Hagemeyer, and Allen Croat.

 

ISSRT:

Arrangements will be made for the student mentor, President, and ASRT Delegates.

 

 

 

 

Meeting adjourned at 3:30 PM.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Nan Bradeen, RT (R)(M)

Secretary

 

 

Conference Survey Results

 

 

775 surveys were sent out but only 79 returned (10%)

 

48 of 79 (60%) favoured Option 2 – having the conference every 3 years in Chamberlain with a rotation of the other sites on the odd years.

15 of 79 (18%) favoured Option 3 – not to routinely centralize it but rotate through a list of sites willing to participate

14 of 79 (17%) favoured Option 1 – prefer to centralize the conference every year

1 came back with no options marked but commented to rotate it between Sioux Falls and Rapid City only

1 came back with no options marked but commented to rotate it between Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Chamberlain

 

63 0f 70 (80%) voted yes to have a Conference sub-committee

8 of 79 (10%)   voted no to have a conference sub-committee

8 of 79 (10%)   did not vote either way

 

Comments:

-          some Radiation Therapy courses available during the annual conference (at least ever other year)

-          Time of conference is difficult to attend because of graduations & Mother’s Day

-          Conference should be in April instead of May so more students can attend the entire conference (x2)

-          I believe an “experienced” person/tech should negotiate for hotel contract during conferences so best prices can be obtained

-          Like to see the SDSRT more focused on getting SD state wages higher for radiology (all areas)

-          By rotating the conference every year it provides a wider variety and allows techs in that area to take pride in organizing the event

-          It is very difficult for techs unfamiliar with the convention to plan/pull it off. Many sites just don’t have the support or cooperation

 

 

2006 Conference Schedule

 

58th Annual SDSRT Conference

MAY 4-6, 2006

 

THURSDAY May 4

8-3:00       Golf Tourney (Dunes Ft. Pierre)

3-6:00       Registration

3:30  SDSRT Boards Meeting (Ramkota)

6:30-8:30   Student Papers (Izaak Walton driving directions available upon registration)

9PM-?        Mixer (Izaak Walton driving directions available upon registration)

 

FRIDAY May 5

7-7:30       Registration

7:45-8:00   Welcome/Announcements

8-8:50       “Head Injuries in Pharaonic Egypt”, GM Sanchez, MD

9-9:50       “Diagnosis; O.R. vs. Imaging”, Dr. Harbert

9:50-10:10   BREAK

10:10-11:00  ”Clinical Applications of PET/CT Imaging”, Mark Vossenkeper (sponsored by DMS)

11:-12       SDSRT 1ST Business Meeting

12-1:00     Vendor Luncheon

1:10-2:00   ”Stress; Balancing work & Personal life”  Jodi R. Owen, Psy.D

2:00-2:50   ”The Art of Radiography” Memorial Lecture Steve Groves, MS(RT)

2:50-3:10   BREAK

3:10-4:00   “Misnomers in Radiology”,  Phil Ballinger, PHD,RT(R)

4:00-5:00   Student Bowl

5:30-6:30   Pictures & Social

6:30-8:30                           Banquet

9:00-?       Dance by Serious Sound

 

SATURDAY   May 6

7:30-7:45   Registration

7:45-8:00   Welcome/Registration

 

                     MAMMO                                                           RAD                                                                                        Therapy

8:-8:50      “The Important First                                          “Practical Tips for Techs”                                                      “Advances in treatment Planning”

                     Steps in Establishing a                                       Phil Ballinger PHD,RT(R)                                                  Dayna Bodsteiner

                     Proper QC Program”

   Kathy DeGalder,BS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

8:50-9:40                    “The Phantom Images:                                                    “Bringing the Future                                                             “Spatially Fractionated Radiation

    A Closer Look”                                                 Phil Authier                                                                               Therapy”                      

    Kathy DeGalder,BS                                                                                                                                                 Jennifer Buskerud, BS,RT(R)(T),CMD

    (all sponsored by NXC)                                                                                       

9:40-10           BREAK                                                           BREAK                                                                                      BREAK

               

10-10:50      “ What do the Processor                                 “Two Faces of Patient Care”                                                                   “Improving Patient Satisfaction”              QC Chart and the Phantom                           Phil Ballinger, PHD,RT(R)                                                             Charlene Berke RT(R)(T)

                        Image Mean for the Woman

                      Receiving Her Mammogram?”

                         Kathy DeGalder,BS                                                                                                                                                        

 

11-12:00 2nd SDSRT BUSINESS MEETING                          2nd SDSRT BUSINESS MEETING                                          2nd SDSRT BUSINESS MEETING

 

12-1:20   Installation Luncheon                                         Installation Luncheon                                                         Installation Luncheon

 

1:30-2:20                “Understanding the Alphabet                                             “Understanding the Alphabet                                                               “Understanding the Alphabet            

                Soup of Breast Cancer”                                       Soup of Breast Cancer”                                                           Soup of Breast Cancer”

Jennifer Buskerud BS,RT(R)(T),CMD                      Jennifer Buskerud BS,RT(R)(T),CMD                                           Jennifer Buskerud BS,RT(R)(T),CMD                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

2:20-3:10 “Problem Solving in                                           “How are You being Served?                                                              Title TBA                                       Mammography Positioning”                                      Eileen, Horn RT(R )                                                                                  Dr. Peterson

                   Customer Service in Radiology”

                  Cheryl Duimstra,BS,RT(R)M

 

3:10-3:30                Break                                                                     Break                                                                                                     Break                                    

 

3:30-4:20                “How Can I help??                                                               Title TBA                                                                                                                                                                Customer Service in Mammography”                              Kristi Raymann BS,RTR(CT)                                  

                    Cheryl Duimstra,BS,RT(R)M              

4:30         Post Board Meeting

 

2006 Conference Registration Form

 

 58th SDSRT CONFERENCE

“HEALTHCARE HEROES”

            May 4-6, 2006

               Pierre, SD
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

58th SDSRT Conference Registration

 

 

 

Name:_________________________________________________                    Registration Fees (makes checks to SDSRT)

 

Address:________________________________________________                   ___$ 110 2 Day SDSRT Member (send proof)

 

City:_________________________State_________ Zip__________                  ___$190                  2 Day Non Member

 

Modality of interest:_____Rad _____Mammo_____Therapy                                 ___$60    2 Day Student Member (Send Proof)

                                                                                                                                ___$90    2 Day Student Non Member

                                                                                                                                ___$80    Friday Only SDSRT Member (Send Proof)

                                                                                                                                ___$150  Friday Only Non Member

                                Dial Direct for Reservations                                                     ___$45      Friday Only Student Member (Send Proof)

                                & mention RADIOLOGY for group rate                                  ___$75    Friday Only Student Non Member

                                Best Western Ramkota                                                            ___$80    Saturday Only SDSRT Member (send proof)

                                920 W. Sioux Avenue                                                                              ___$150  Saturday Only non member

                                605 224-6877                                                                          ___$45    Saturday Only student member (send proof)

                                RATE: $73+tax (single or double)                                            ___$75    Saturday Only student non member

                                                                                                                                ___$25    Additional Banquet Tickets

                                                                                                                                ___$10    Registration upon arrival

                                                                                                                                $______  Total

                                                                                                                                Please Mail Payments by April 14 to:

                                                                                                                                Lisa Brandt

                                                                                                                                110 Polaris Ave.

                                                                                                                                Pierre, SD 57501                                                                                    


Scientific Awards Report

 

March 18, 2006

 

 

I received 27 scientific papers for this year’s competition to be held in Pierre this May.  Three judges were selected to read and pre-judge these papers.  All entrants have been notified of the preliminary judging results.  The chairperson of the convention has been notified of the top four papers, which will be presented at the convention.

 

I have also received 42 students and two technologists exhibit registrations for the Scientific Exhibits, which will be displayed at the convention.

 

I would like to thank all of the students, technologists and their program directors for their participation and time in preparing their papers and exhibits.  They have all done a fantastic job in the preparation of these projects.

 

Respectfully,

 

 

 

Tracy Iversen, RT(R)(M)