PhilaSRT Student Day, hosted by Jefferson:
A Snapshot of the Future of Radiologic Sciences

Swarms of students crowded into the Bluemle Life Sciences Building of the Jefferson College of Health Professions (JCHP) at the Philadelphia Society of Radiologic Technologists Student Day on April 2, 2004. Over 450 students from 18 radiography/radiology schools, colleges and universities in the Philadelphia metropolitan area attended the event. The large numbers heralded the bright future of the Radiologic Sciences and also perhaps suggested that the nationwide shortage of radiologic technologists may soon be coming to an end.

The PhilaSRT sponsors the annual Student Day, while JCHP hosted this year's event. Dr. Richard Weening, PhD, RT (R)(CT)(MR), and Paula McDermit, Ed.M, both of the JCHP Department of Radiologic Sciences, handled the logistics of the event, including planning the Job Fair, lining up the keynote speaker, organizing the student “Technibowl” quiz-show competition, and feeding over 600 people lunch!

PhilaSRT Board Chair Bernadette Garofola, RT, Chief Radiation Therapist at the Bodine Cancer Center of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, was thrilled by the turnout. “It's important to us to promote the profession by supporting students,” she explained. “Seeing students network and knowing all the job opportunities they have is very exciting.”

“The purpose of Student Day is to provide our radiologic technology students with a day which is not only educational and fun, but also helps them to begin making the crucial transition from student to contributing member of the profession ,” said Dr. Weening, Assistant Professor and Program Director, CT & MRI, at JCHP. “I think we accomplished that goal this year.”

The number of Job Fair recruiters almost doubled from last year to 48, and the recruiters came from as far away as New York City, North Carolina, Harrisburg and the New Jersey shore. The up-and-coming professionals took advantage of the opportunity to hand out resumes and network with potential employers and their peers throughout the day.

In her keynote address, Dr. Janet Monge, PhD, described a unique way that future radiographers could consider applying their skills. As the Keeper of the Physical Anthropology Section of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology, she has had x-rays, MRI's, and CT's taken of mummies at the Radiology Department of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Images and video footage of one of her objects of study, a Peruvian mummy, kept students and faculty members engaged throughout her presentation. Dr. Monge credits radiographers with their role in helping her with the research.

Student Day ended with the Technibowl Competition, a double-elimination tournament of rounds of ten questions on topics such as radiation protection, patient care, patient positioning, and x-ray physics. Participating schools included Abington Memorial Hospital, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Bucks County Community College, Burlington County College, Community College of Philadelphia, Cooper Hospital, Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Cumberland County College, Hahnemann, Holy Family University, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Main Line Health System, Montgomery County Community College, St. Christopher's Hospital, St. Joseph Medical Center, and Thomas Jefferson University. Crozer-Chester Medical Center's team came in first place. Each student on the team won $150 and the school received a plaque.

Media Contact:

Jane Clinton
Jefferson College of Health Professions
215-503-9865

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