The Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT) held its 71st Annual General Conference in St. John’s, Newfoundland this year. Awards were given out at the President’s Banquet on May 25, 2013, and we are very proud to announce that several of these awards went to UT DRO’s recent graduates.
Leann Ban (MRS graduate, Radiation Therapy) L.J. Cartwright Student Award – Winner Essay Title: The Impact of In Vivo EPID Dosimetry on IMRT Treatment Delivery Workflow: Acceptability and Usability from a Stakeholder Perspective.
Alexandru Mihai Nicolae (MRS graduate, Radiation Therapy) Dr. Marshall Mallett Student Award – Certificate of Merit Exhibit Title: PTV Margin Determination for Single-Faction Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) Boost for Intermediate-Risk Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate.
Leann Ban (MRS graduate, Radiation Therapy) Dr. Marshall Mallett Student Award – Certificate of Merit Exhibit Title: Integrating In Vivo EPID Dosimetry into IMRT Treatment Delivery for Head and Neck Cancer Patients: The Role of Radiation Therapists in Protocol Development.
Jee Hae Rebekah Shin (MRS graduate, Radiation Therapy) Dr. Marshall Mallett Student Award – Certificate of Merit Exhibit Title: Partial Breast Irradiation in Early Breast Carcinoma: Does Primary Tumour Location Affect Overall Cosmetic Outcome for Low Dose Rate Permanent Seed Implantation Patients.
Linda Sarju, RTNM (MRS graduate, Nuclear Medicine) Awards of Excellence – Highest Mark in 2012 Certification Examinations
We sat down with two of the award recipients, Leann Ban and Rebekah Shin, to talk about their research and experience. Rebekah’s research looked at partial breast irradiation to treat breast cancer. This was a retrospective study involving partial breast seed implants at Odette Cancer Centre and examining acute and long-term side effects experienced by the patient. Leann’s essay and poster involved In Vivo EPID Dosimetry and its impact on IMRT Treatment for head and neck cancer and how it fits within the current workflow.
Both Rebekah and Leann credited their supervisors for their guidance and support. Rebekah explained that one of the highlights of her project was her “very supportive and very knowledgeable supervisors”. Rebekah’s supervisors were Laura D’Alimonte and Merrylee McGuffin.
Leann agreed and recounted, “There was a day when a machine had an issue and we had to wait for Electronics to come and fix it. My supervisor, Angela Turner, sent me home and she stayed for hours”.
When asked about their first reactions when they received the email about the awards, both MRS graduates were shocked as they didn’t expect to win, but thrilled and happy that their months of hard work was recognized.
On behalf of UT DRO, we send our congratulations to all of the winners.
