It can be argued that the discovery of the x-ray by German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen on Nov. 8, 1895, was one of the most significant milestones in health care. His accidental discovery forever changed medicine and it has been a key tool in diagnosing and treating injuries and diseases for 128 years.

The news of Roentgen’s discovery spread quickly and far beyond its intended use. The general public’s interest in the newfound ability to photograph the inside of the body fueled imagination that brought misunderstandings and quackery. Photography studios began offering bone portraits. Detectives reportedly used x-rays to determine if spouses were unfaithful. X-ray glasses were said to allow users to see through or into solid objects. X-rays were used metaphorically as entertainment in political cartoons, newspaper stories and advertising.

The ASRT Museum and Archives located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, offers artifacts that manufacturers and advertisers in the early 1900s used to capitalize on the public’s fascination of the x-ray. On display is an advertisement for x-ray headache tablets that offered eight doses for 10 cents and an original bottle of x-ray horse liniment that advertises, “No farmer or stockman should be without.” Of course, none of these products had anything to do with x-rays and did not emit radiation.

Despite early-day misunderstandings, only two months after its discovery doctors in Europe and the United States were using x-rays for clinical purposes, to identify broken bones, tumors and foreign objects. The discovery also paved the way for the development of radiologic science modalities used today like computed tomography, mammography, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy and many others. For his work, Roentgen was awarded the first Nobel Prize in physics in 1901.

According to the World Health Organization, there are an estimated 3.6 billion diagnostic x-ray examinations performed annually in hospitals, clinics and health care settings worldwide. In addition, there are more than 450,000 registered radiologic technologists in the U.S., the health care professionals who perform medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures; they make up the third-largest group of health care professionals surpassed in number only by physicians and nurses.

Since 1979, the American Society of Radiologic Technologistshas celebrated National Radiologic Technology Week^® during the week of Nov. 8 to honor Roentgen’s discovery and recognize the vital work of medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals in patient care and health care safety. This year’s NRTW is Nov. 5-11, and the theme is “Patients Are Our Passion; Safety Is Our Priority.”

Brandon A. Smith,
M.B.A., M.S.R.S., R.T.(R)(VI), CIIP

ASRT President Brandon A. Smith, M.B.A., M.S.R.S., R.T.(R)(VI), CIIP, was recently presented with the 2023 North Texas Radiologic Technologist Society Living Legend Award.

Smith is a team lead in the clinical services radiology division of GE Healthcare in Houston, Texas, and the current president of the ASRT. In addition, he is a member of the Texas Society of Radiologic Technologists Inc., North Texas Radiologic Technologist Society and several other state societies that represent medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals.

“We’re incredibly proud of Brandon as he continues to support the ASRT, the radiologic technology community and the future of our profession,” said ASRT CEO and Executive Director Melissa B. Pergola, Ed.D., R.T.(R)(M), FASRT. “He’s a tireless volunteer who always goes the extra mile to advance the profession and is an inspiration to medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals.”

The ASRT has extended its submission deadline to Dec. 13 for qualified members interested in volunteer positions on the Fellows Program Review Committee.

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

Fellows Program Review Committee

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.

Radiography educational program directors report that the number of enrolled students increased slightly in radiography, radiation therapy and nuclear medicine technology programs in 2023 as compared to 2022. However, enrollment in sonography and magnetic resonance programs decreased slightly according to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists Enrollment Snapshot 2023.

Conducted annually, the ASRT enrollment survey highlights entering class enrollments, student capacity and program data that measures past trends, attrition and viability rates.

The 2023 survey results show that the number of enrolled radiography students increased with an estimated 17,679 students entering American Registry of Radiologic Technologists-approved radiography programs, up from 16,235 in 2022.

Student enrollment in ARRT-approved radiation therapy programs is estimated at 1,302 students in 2023, up from 1,208 in 2022.

Nuclear medicine program enrollments also increased with an estimated 903 students enrolling in 2023, up from 837 in 2022.

For the second consecutive year, the survey tracked enrollments in sonography and magnetic resonance programs. In 2022, there were an estimated 3,144 students enrolled in ARRT-recognized sonography programs, down from 3,531 in 2022. And MR programs enrolled an average of 555 students, a decrease from 720 in 2022.

“The American Society of Radiologic Technologists reviews longitudinal enrollment survey results, along with feedback from educator and student members, to ensure that we create and maintain forward-thinking, valuable benefits that support educational programs in medical imaging and radiation therapy,” said Melissa Culp, M.Ed., R.T.(R)(MR), ASRT executive vice president of member engagement.

ASRT sent the survey to 1,209 directors of radiography, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine technology, sonography and MR programs currently approved by the ARRT. By the close of the survey in late October, 301 responses had been received, yielding an overall response rate of 28.5%. Of the radiography programs surveyed 97.3% were in the United States with 2.7% in Canada. The ASRT began conducting the survey in 2001.

Enrollment Snapshot 2023

The ASRT Board of Directors and staff send their sympathy and concern to the members and their families who were affected by the tornadoes in Tennessee that touched down on Dec. 9. Our thoughts are with all of you as you recover.

“As ASRT has hundreds of members who live in the areas hit by the tornadoes, the Society’s staff and Board of Directors have moved quickly to implement a measure to support members affected by this disaster,” said ASRT Chair of the Board Daniel L. Gonzales, M.S.R.S., R.T.(R), FASRT.

For ASRT members living in Tennessee’s Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Gibson, Montgomery, Robertson, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Weakley and Wilson counties, the Society has automatically extended your membership for 90 days. You will retain your original join date and your member record will not show any lapse in membership.

If you have been displaced because of the tornadoes and have a new mailing address, please update your membership record online by going to asrt.org/myinfo or by calling ASRT at 800-444-2778. Please note that the storm could affect the delivery of the December/January issue of ASRT Scanner and the January/February issue of Radiologic Technology.

Radiologic technologists who are concerned about their ability to meet their continuing education requirements should contact the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists at 651-687-0048, Ext. 8540. The ARRT establishes CE policies for its registrants.

Many ASRT members have contacted us to express their interest in assisting with relief efforts. Because ASRT does not have the infrastructure to organize disaster recovery efforts, we encourage our members to volunteer with reputable, established relief teams that are already in place. For example, those interested in volunteering for cleanup efforts, shelter operations or recovery teams can contact the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army or Samaritan’s Purse.

In addition, ASRT members are using the ASRT Communities to communicate ways to assist individuals in the affected areas. Please visit the ASRT Radiography Community to join the conversation.

“We hope all medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals affected by the tornadoes are safe and secure,” said ASRT President Brandon A. Smith, M.B.A., M.S.R.S., R.T.(R)(VI), CIIP. “ASRT has a responsibility to support its members in Tennessee and we’re ready to do whatever it takes to ensure they have the tools, services and support to move toward a path of recovery.”

The ASRT is seeking qualified members interested in volunteer positions on the House of Delegates Minutes Approval Committee and Sergeant-at-Arms Committee.

The duties, qualifications and time commitments required for these openings are available through the links 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 ASRT is seeking qualified members interested in volunteer positions for the Committee on R.T. Advocacy.

The duties, qualifications and time commitments required for these openings 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 ASRT is seeking qualified members interested in volunteer positions on the Radiation Therapist Editorial Review Board and Radiologic Technology Editorial Review Board.

The duties, qualifications and time commitments required for these openings are available through the links 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 ASRT is seeking qualified members interested in volunteer positions on the Limited X-ray Machine Operator Curriculum Workgroup and Magnetic Resonance Curriculum Workgroup.

The duties, qualifications and time commitments required for these openings are available through the links 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 ASRT is seeking qualified members interested in volunteer positions on the Committee on the Student to Leadership Development Program, Committee on R.T. Advocacy Regional Subcommittees, Practices Standards Council Modality Subcommittees and Scanner Editorial Advisory Panel.

The duties, qualifications and time commitments required for these openings are available through the links 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.