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Radiological Sciences students gain experience, collect awards at competition

New Kensington student wins image analysis competition at annual PSRT meetings

Penn State New Kensington radiological sciences students, left to right, Samantha Smith, Katie Attig and Mikala Bodle attended the PSRT professional conference in March. Smith and Bodle placed second in the student research competition.  Credit: Bill Woodard / Penn StateCreative Commons

UPPER BURRELL, Pa. -- A team of radiological science students from Penn State New Kensington gained experience and earned recognition in March at the annual Pennsylvania Society of Radiologic Technologists (PSRT) conference in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania.

Debra Majetic, coordinator of the radiological science program, and Marcia Curler, instructor in radiological sciences, escorted 22 first- and second-year students to the annual meeting. The upperclassmen will graduate in August with an associate degree and will be eligible for examination with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) for national professional certification.

“Students are our future and will service all our imaging needs,” said Majetic, who is a graduate of the campus’ radiological sciences program and holds a master’s degree in higher education from Geneva College.

“We hope this experience sparks an interest in our students to get involved with professional organizations after graduation.”

The purpose of the trip was two-fold. Students had the opportunity to meet with soon-to-be colleagues in a conference setting and compete with fellow students in various categories – research presentations, image analysis and Techni-Bowl.

“I loved the professional atmosphere and hearing different stories from others that are in the same field as me,” said Mikala Bodle, a resident of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. “I got to talk to other people about X-ray and radiology that I don’t usually get to.”

“I really enjoyed the speakers,” said Emily Robson, a second-year student. “I thought they did a really good job at engaging us into the lectures.”Both Bodle and Robson were impressed with the boards review session. Students received study guides for AART certification.

“The boards review was probably the best thing about going to the conference,” Bodle said. “They gave us this extremely helpful booklet outlining major things to study for.”

John Learn, a first-year student from Pittsburgh, won the top award for his image analysis entry, “Pneumoperitaneum.” After reviewing several images, students wrote down their choice of pathologies. Learn’s selection won the competition.

“The image analysis competition was good,” Learn said. “I hope everyone gets a chance to participate.”

In the Techni-Bowl, a quiz-style competition featuring questions about radiological science, the campus team of Robson and Courtney Communale tied for the lead at the end of the regular competition. They lost in the sudden-death playoff and had to settle for runner-up.

“I'm still heartbroken over Techni-Bowl, but I was really happy to be a part of it,” Robson said.

“I had an awesome experience competing in Techni-Bowl” Communale said.

Bodle and Samantha Smith placed second in the research completion. Their poster, “Radiation and Cosmetics,” dealt with the evolution of the cosmetic industry.

Garnering awards and accolades at the society meetings is becoming a tradition for Majetic’s students. In the past six years, the up-and-coming radiographers have won each of the competitive categories.

"The opportunity for our students to not only participate in the competition but to also attend the state meeting was invaluable," said Majetic, who joined the campus faculty in 2005. "Imaging professionals recognize the importance of networking with others, sharing new technologies, promoting the profession and supporting education and new technologies entering the field."

Radiological Sciences ProgramRadiography is a science combining medical imaging technology with human compassion. Radiographers use their knowledge of physics, human anatomy and physiology to create permanent medical radiographic images. Imaging professionals provide a wide range of services using technology founded on theoretical knowledge and scientific concepts.

As a part of the health care team, radiographers provide patient care using safe radiation practices, operate sophisticated technical equipment and make independent judgments and decisions daily. Radiological services are offered in a variety of settings such as hospitals, health care facilities, physicians' offices, research centers and equipment sales offices. Careers in radiography offer flexible work schedules that accommodate various lifestyles and employment needs.

The radiological sciences program at Penn State New Kensington offers students an associate degree, and graduates are eligible for examination with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. The 72-credit, academic- and clinical-based curriculum begins in the fall of each year and requires 24 consecutive months of study, including summer sessions.

“In the past two years, the certification examination pass rate for our graduates was 100 percent,” Majetic said. “The five-year average is 96 percent.”

For more about the radiological sciences program, visit http://www.nk.psu.edu/Academics/Degrees/44310.htm

Last Updated April 1, 2015

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