Jun. 18, 2015
I have had many opportunities to speak at conferences during my career, but this was the highlight!
Presenting at the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists’ Annual General Conference was my first time speaking to an international audience, and it was wonderful. Each environment is different, but wherever you go in the medical field, we all have the same interest and desire to continue learning.
While work unit efficiency and quality were the main focus of the conference, just as they are at the Mayo Clinic where I worked and at other facilities in the U.S., my topic, 3-D printing of anatomic models, was not something anyone was currently doing. I loved getting to share this information with other professionals who were unaware of the possibilities this new technology offers our profession.
After my presentation, several attendees mentioned that it was something they would like to explore more for their facilities. Hearing their enthusiasm and seeing the extended impact this might have on the radiologic sciences in other parts of the world was thrilling.
The interactions and networking with other professionals were eyeopening. One interaction that particularly stood out for me was meeting Lorie Morgan, who is the program director for diagnostic imaging accreditation at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Alberta. I had spent some time in this area for my facility and surprisingly, during our conversation, I discovered that they have very similar processes for the documentation of professional credentials and equipment testing.
It was rewarding being able to bring a new concept and methodology to the group. Just being a part of the conference was a great experience. It not only gave me the opportunity to share the research with a broader audience, but I also had an opportunity to hear about others’ research and gain insight into how the profession is managed outside of the U.S. I would strongly recommend to anyone who has been doing public speaking and has an interest in the ASRT Foundation’s International Speakers Exchange Award program to apply.
It’s a great opportunity to expand the reach of your research and to learn from other professionals in the field. Attendance this year was about 1,500, and it’s an audience you most likely would not encounter in any other setting. The conference, which was attended by radiologists and technologists, offered sessions for all radiology modalities. There is nothing to lose and so much to gain, so apply!