RADIATION THERAPY TECHNOLOGY

Graduated in 1991
Radiation Therapy Technology Program Director, Galveston College

Q: Why did you choose Wayne State? 

A: Being a local university made it a convenient choice. It allowed me to work; stay close to family, friends and my church; and save on out-of-state fees and living expenses by not having to relocate. To make commuter college life fun, I became a member of the fraternity interest group Phi Eta Psi Emeralds. I am still good friends with my sisters and brothers, and enjoy communicating and spending time with them.

Q: What inspired you to pursue this career?

A: I always wanted to contribute to society by working in health care. I have always had a strong desire to serve people in need. An allied health counselor reviewed my transcript and thought I was a good fit for the Radiation Therapy Technology program. I went to observe at the Gershenson Radiation Oncology Center. Current Program Director Jeanetta Greer was one of the radiation therapists I shadowed. I loved everything that I witnessed. Once I was introduced to the profession, I was totally convinced that this was the career I was destined for. The opportunity to utilize innovative medical tools, advanced equipment, and technical and communication skills in the process was a significant motivator. Being part of a dedicated team aiming to eradicate cancer, alleviate suffering, and provide comfort was both rewarding and highly motivating for me.

Q: Who was your most memorable instructor?

A: Thanks to my outstanding professors Diane Chadwell and Adam Kempa, I found tremendous inspiration. Diane, my program director, shared her impressive professional journey, which included her American Society of Radiologic Technologists Fellow recognition, igniting my own ambition. She introduced me to state and national professional organizations, kindling my active participation as a student. After graduation, I continued to volunteer and still am very active to this day. Adam Kempa served on the board of the Michigan Society of Radiologic Technologists. With their support and the outstanding mentorship of Shirley Smith, Denice Nichols, Charles Washington and Bettye Wilson, I not only became the president of both the MSRT and the ASRT but also achieved the status of Fellow.

Q: What was your most challenging class?

A: Undoubtedly my clinical rotation in simulation. At the time, digital and electronic technology was not as prevalent, which made the experience particularly demanding. I was delegated to perform ancillary tasks like processing films, paperwork and so on, and when I returned, I found my clinical educators had progressed several steps ahead. Moreover, the wide variety of patient cases and setups added to the complexity. Each day could involve different procedures, from head and neck to thorax, breast, brain or spine, making it a comprehensive learning challenge. To overcome my difficulties, I sought extra guidance from two WSU clinical educators, who graciously dedicated their time to help me understand and become competent in simulation.

Q: Tell us more about your time at Wayne State.

A: It was a transformative period when I also embraced the field of psychology. Thanks to the WSU Minority Biomedical Research Support program, I became a research assistant for Drs. Sandra and Joseph Jacobson on the effects of fetal alcohol syndrome on infants. I interviewed mothers about their diets, visited hospitals to gather data after childbirth and conducted home visits to complete surveys. The richness of this experience was reflected in my role as one of the authors of a poster presentation. It was truly rewarding to present our findings at the MBRS Symposium in Dallas, where the keynote speaker was none other than U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Louis Sullivan. Additionally, I discovered my passion for health policy through Dr. Glenda Price's insights into the Pew Health Professions Commission. Wayne State had a profound impact on my personal and professional growth, inspiring me to complete concurrent bachelor's degrees in radiation therapy and psychology and influencing my career path. The university also played a pivotal role in my journey as a lecturer, researcher and health policy advocate, and continues to resonate profoundly in my goals and career choices.

Q: In your opinion, what is one of the biggest changes that has occurred in your profession since graduating?

A: We have seen a significant shift toward recognizing the critical importance of medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals in health care. This awareness was brought to the forefront by feature articles in The New York Times from 2010 and reports from organizations like the ECRI Institute. This momentum led to a congressional hearing, where I testified on behalf of the ASRT, emphasizing the need for better state regulation and incident learning systems in our field. 

This renewed focus has resulted in concentrated efforts to enhance medical imaging and radiation oncology processes, equipment and patient safety, quality, high standards of patient care, training, and care delivery. Professional organizations, vendors, and providers have responded by introducing tools for learning, accreditation standards, and publications to reduce radiation therapy-related errors. I'm proud to actively contribute to these initiatives' development, implementation and advocating for qualified individuals to deliver care.

Q: Tell us more about your career.

A: I've been humbled by notable milestones, such as being one of only four African-American presidents of the ASRT and the sole Black female to serve on its board in the society's 103-year history. During my tenure as ASRT president, I worked on initiatives related to advanced practice for radiation therapists, collaborated on state licensure efforts, and established connections with medical imaging and radiation therapists nationwide. I've also been one of the radiation therapists requested to be a part of initiatives like ASTRO's Safety Is No Accident and the APEx accreditation for radiation oncology, as well as AAPM task groups on incident narratives and error reporting.

Beyond the United States, I've had the privilege of educating radiation therapists internationally, representing UT MD Anderson Cancer Center in locations like Istanbul, Madrid, Africa and South Korea, as well as working with the International Atomic Energy Association. I was invited by the Japanese Ministry of Health to share my expertise on the role of radiological technologists in cancer therapy and its education system. Additionally, I presented on topics such as U.S. breast cancer methods, as well as quality and safety in radiation oncology, primarily delivering these lectures in French, a language I studied in high school and at Wayne State University. My career has been distinguished by these remarkable experiences and contributions to the field.

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Radiation therapists have a unique opportunity to blend the knowledge and skills of mathematics, science and psychology in their daily work. Radiation therapists operate sophisticated radiation equipment to treat malignant tissue, assist in designing cancer treatment through the use of 3D computer-generated calculations, recognize when a patient is having additional medical problems that require a doctor’s attention and provide psychological support for patients who are dealing with the stress of their illness. The bachelor of science in Radiation Therapy Technology is offered through Wayne State’s Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences with an application deadline of Nov. 30. 

An anchor in urban health care

The Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is built on more than 100 years of tradition and innovation in the heart of Detroit. We have grown deep roots in our city, harnessing its powerhouse hospital systems and community service organizations as vibrant, real-world training grounds for students, with an ongoing focus on social justice in health care. And our research at all levels – from undergraduates to veteran faculty members – translates into creative solutions for healthier communities.

Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering approximately 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 24,000 students.