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Jennifer Olson has served the SMRT as
liaison to the former and current parent
society ISMRM for more than a quarter of a
century. During that time she has endeared
herself to hundreds of members and the SMRT
leadership, which has changed on a yearly
basis. Through the years and the changes, one
thing has remained constant, and that is the
dedication and care of Jennifer for the SMRT.
Following are the reflections of the SMRT
Presidents, in alphabetical order, which
testify to her service. |
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Maureen Ainslie,
MS, RT (R) (MR) FSMRT, SMRT President 2003-2004
I have been wracking my brains trying to come up
with a particular event or story that would
appropriately illustrate Jennifer's contributions to
the membership of SMRT. Truth be told, hundreds of
instances come to mind. She was always willing to be
of assistance- cool, calm and collected from my
early membership days when I had questions about
procedure and process to my days as Regional Chair
and Program chair as she worked with me and the SMRT
team to provide the best possible regional and
program opportunities for the membership. |
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Jennifer's support continued and grew in my tenure
as President and Executive Board Member- she was
always there to listen to the latest challenges, and
innovative ideas while gently tempering my
enthusiasm with a healthy dose of reality. Her
calming presence and her "grace under pressure"
style is well known to many PB members past and
present. It’s difficult to try and convey in simple
words what her advice and counsel meant to me in my
twenty plus years of service to the SMRT. Jennifer's
loyalty and support was solid, unwavering and
unending. She is one of those rare individuals who
wholeheartedly served the SMRT with true commitment
to its mission and its members. I wish her the very
best life has to offer today and always. MA. |
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Kelly Baron, B.S., R.T. (R)(MR)(CT), FSMRT, SMRT
President 1997-1998
Jennifer kept me on track during all my years that I
have been involved with the SMRT. One particular
moment comes to mind. It was the summer of 1996.
Jennifer helped me run a two hour conference call
while I nursed a fussy colicky baby boy. If only she
could have been a lactation consultant as well!
Where have those 18 years gone? Thank you so much
Jennifer. Kelly |
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Heidi Berns, MS,R.T.(R)(MR)FSMRT, SMRT President
2001-2002
When I think of the SMRT, I can’t help but think of
Jennifer Olson. She is one of the people considered
a foundation of the SMRT – a solid rock, a resource
of expertise, a tremendously efficient person, and a
friend. I will always remember Jennifer with her
calm, soothing voice, her patience, her
friendliness, and her vast knowledge in operations
of the ISMRM and SMRT. While sad to see Jennifer
leaving, how happy I am to see her enjoy her
upcoming retirement! Congratulations, Jennifer!
Thank you for everything you’ve done and
accomplished. Best wishes and love to you, Heidi. |
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Carolyn Bonaceto, B.S., R.T.(R)(MR) SMRT President
2007-2008
The SMRT was
incredibly fortunate to have had Jennifer Olson as
our guide. The SMRT would not have been able to
become the premier organization for MRI Technologist
education it is today without the leadership and
mentoring that that she provided. Thank you so much
for all you’ve done for SMRT and for being there for
me whenever I needed your advice. Best of luck in
all you do during this next phase of your life. Live
it up, you deserve it. Best, Carolyn. |
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Cindy R. Comeau, B.S,R.T.(N)(MR)FSMRT, SMRT
President 2006-2007
During my term as SMRT President I had the
tremendous opportunity to be a presenter at many
SMRT regional meetings. I credit Jennifer for being
my “booking agent” as when a meeting needed a
speaker she would contact me by phone and I was
always glad to accept! Meeting so many MR
professionals globally and sharing my expertise on
cardiac MRI was such a wonderful learning experience
for me and I thank Jennifer for that! As a past
regional program chair Jennifer was always
instrumental in ensuring the success of these
meetings. |
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I will fondly remember all of our wonderful phone
conversations and her timely guidance during my time
as President. I highly admire her for all her
dedication and extra time that she has spent on
expanding educational opportunities to all MR
professionals globally. Her keen attention to detail
is phenomenal as she certainly has made the SMRT
become a highly recognized organization. She is
truly irreplaceable and because of Jennifer we are all
very fortunate to have had her enhance our careers
as MR professionals. |
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Luann Culbreth, MBA, RT(R)(MR)(QM) FSMRT, SMRT
President 1995-1996
When I think of the SMRT I think of Jennifer Olson –
and when I think of Jennifer Olson I think of an
extra-special person. She’s more than that, really,
in so many ways. In the beginning there was
Jennifer. I remember her so involved in those early
days of bringing together technologists from the
then two-parent organizations; she graciously
adopted us as a neophyte organization and as
individuals. Her spirit was genuine, her insight was
expert, her leadership was encouraging, and her
energy was unwavering. She appreciated our
enthusiasm and guided our efforts with grace.
Jennifer’s finesse is woven all through the early
development of top-notch SMRT programs, publications
and awards that have sustained and flourished during
her tenure. |
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No matter what the challenge – merging
organizations, expanding SMRT internationally,
developing regional meetings, local chapters and
home studies – Jennifer always kept the focus on our
founding mission of providing the highest quality
education for MR technologists. She was present for
everything and for everyone. I was always comforted
to see her smiling face everywhere; at the
registration desk, in a meeting room or hear her
voice on a conference call. I knew we were fortunate
to have her on our team. I am very proud of the SMRT
and blessed to have been a part of its beginning.
I’m honored that Jennifer Olson was my mentor as a
volunteer leader. SMRT is forever grounded because
of Jennifer Olson. God bless you Jennifer. My best
always, Luann. |
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Bill Faulkner B.S., R.T. (R)(MR)(CT), FSMRT, SMRT
President 1991-1992
When I was asked to serve as the first president of
the SMRT, I was in way over my head. Without
Jennifer's mentoring and guidance, I would have
never made it through that first year. The SMRT
experienced its share of growing pains over the next
several years and Jennifer was the one who
consistently provided the support we needed. I also
want to thank Jennifer for all her help and work in
getting the SMRT RCEEM process in place and
working. Over one’s life you are lucky if you meet
genuinely good people. Jennifer is certainly one of
those whom I am fortunate to know. Bill Faulkner. |
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Robin Greene-Avison R.T. (N)(MR) CNMT, FSMRT, SMRT
President 2000-2001
Jennifer has always been more of a friend to me than
a professional acquaintance within the SMRT/ISMRM
organization. To be she was the heart behind the
tin. Now "this heart" is free to be shared fully
with something or someone without the distractions
of all of our nonsense! Good luck, my friend! XO
Robin Avison. |
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Cindy T. Hipps BHS, R.T.(R)(MR), FSMRT SMRT President
2004-2005
I have had the privilege of knowing Jennifer my
entire tenure with the SMRT. Over the years I have
always stood in awe of her patience and
understanding of technologist issues. It takes a
special person to maintain calm and assurance year
after year keeping the goal and mission of the SMRT
first and foremost with each changing of the guard.
Each President brings new ideas and the ever
changing modality of MRI brings new challenges but
Jennifer has remained the one constant as she
coached each one of us toward the common goal we all
share. |
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Jennifer has such a special place in my heart and
has helped me grow in my profession. It is evident
by her daily actions that every ounce of her being
is truly the warm, passionate and kind soul we
should all strive to be. I am ever grateful to
Jennifer for her patience, guidance and love of the
SMRT! Cindy T. Hipps. |
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Maureen Hood Ph.D., RN, RT(MR), FSMRT, SMRT President
2014-2015
I met Jennifer in 1998 when I attended the annual
SMRT meeting in Sydney, Australia. I was extremely
nervous as I was slated to give my first
international talk, plus I knew nobody at the
meeting. Jennifer was almost like a second mom…very
encouraging and positive. She just has a way to make
everything seem ok, even if you are feeling
completely lost. |
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I have had the pleasure to work with Jennifer for
over 16 years now, from working on SMRT committees,
to Regionals, to Policy Board, Executive Board and
now as the in-coming SMRT President. Although
friends were encouraging, Jennifer is the single
biggest reason I decided to run for President. She
does so much for the SMRT and cares so much that she
makes you want to give back. Jennifer not only has a
wealth of information, she has been the glue that
has kept the SMRT together and growing all these
years. A fitting analogy is that she has been the
keel of the ship – from the very start, quietly and
deftly keeping us on track and allowing us to
carefully sail into new waters without running
aground. |
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I’m going to miss working with Jennifer when she
retires. She’s just always been a major part of the
SMRT and she’s one of my favorite persons in the
whole world. She is a fun person to talk to – I’m
going to miss that most of all. For those of us who
know her, Jennifer will remain a part of us forever.
I hope she enjoys retired life and gets to see the
world with her husband, as she deserves it. I wish
Jennifer and her family the best, now and always.
Warmest regards, - Mo Hood. |
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Ben Kennedy B.App.Sc., Mst (MRI), SMRT President
2013-2014
In hearing of the impending retirement for Jennifer,
my heart had a sudden sinking feeling that this will
be a turning point for the SMRT as our leadership
has always had our patron matriarch looking over us
to keep us on track. Jennifer’s dedication to our
society including occasional problem solving which
comes with years of experience has kept a constant
stability which has kept us on a forward path. Our
SMRT Board members are all volunteers who do these
roles on a free time basis which can challenge many
workflows and deadlines concurrently and it can be
challenging to keep to the same plan each year. |
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Jennifer has always found a way to work with our
leadership to always find our way forward with a
smile on her face. It seems nothing has ever been
too great a challenge for Jennifer and she will be
missed greatly by all of the people who have had the
fortune in working with her. I also feel extremely
happy for Jennifer as she has more than earned her
retirement and can always know that her work was of
the highest standards and highly appreciated. The
transition for our society will be a new phase for
us and I hope we can all take something away from
what Jennifer’s legacy has left behind as we move
into our new era. Kind Regards, Ben Kennedy. |
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Vera Kimbrell B.S., R.T.(R)(MR), SMRT President
2012-2013
Where to start?...For me there has been no SMRT
without Jennifer. All the years I’ve been a member
and during my time on the board Jennifer has been a
continual force and presence. She’s unflappable and
perpetually optimistic! Every year she gets a new
round of recruits to the board and every year she
treats them with kindness and respect. Truly an
amazing woman! I like to tease her that it’s
“Groundhog Day” every May for her. |
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Over the years the society has grown and matured we
moved into the electronic age with almost no pain.
Jennifer mentored each board member and helped us
further the society while forming what has become a
large international family. I think my best memory
of Jennifer will always be the mother figure she
becomes whenever one of us has personal issues.
She’s the strong one to empathize, sympathize, and
give encouragement all the while keeping the SMRT
running and on track. Over the years we’ve gained
much and lost some. The role she leaves when she
steps away will be much like the dinosaur tracks I
visited last year. You can hardly imagine anyone
quite that larger than life. |
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I can only hope that at the end of my career I will
have touched so many lives in such a positive way. I
think her biggest legacy in fact is us in SMRT and
despite many obstacles; the success she helped us
achieve. |
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Words
can’t really tell you all she has meant to
those of us who worked with her over the
years. We are more than we were because she
asked us to be in that ever gentle but
determined way. We worked hard but she
always worked harder, never took mediocre as
good enough and never allowed us to settle. |
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Thank you Jennifer, we hope that from time to time
in your travels you drop us a line and make a
meeting or two. We want to continue to make you
proud of the society you’ve nurtured so well. Your
friend, Vera. |
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Julia Lowe B.S.,R.T.(R)(MR), FSMRT, SMRT President
2010-2011
Upon my arrival to the convention center in the city
that is hosting the ISMRM/SMRT annual meeting each
year, I look for Jennifer’s familiar face. Although
there are many staff that help the SMRT function
efficiently for its members, Jennifer’s knowledge
and dedication to the Section should be highly
praised. She is well-known and appreciated by all
the past presidents, myself included, for keeping us
in-line and moving forward. She has always made time
to discuss SMRT business with the Executive
Committee and the Policy Board members in the most
supportive and helpful way. |
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Over the years, Jennifer has enhanced the SMRT with
her guidance, her wisdom and her patience. Her
positive input has been immeasurable and is equal to
the gratitude that the Past Presidents wishes to
express to Jennifer. We wish her and her family the
best! Julie Lowe. |
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Anne Marie Sawyer BS, RT(R)(MR) FSMRT, 1998-1999
SMRT President
In 1987, Jennifer Olson began her career with the
Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (SMRM).
At that time there were two societies, SMRM and SMRI
(Society for Magnetic Resonance in Imaging). In 1990
at the two respective annual meetings, Technologist
sections of each society were created. In 1991 the
two Technologist sections merged into the Section
for MR Technologists (SMRT). In 1994, the parent
societies merged into what is now known as the
International Society for Magnetic Resonance in
Medicine (ISMRM). |
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I believe I first met Jennifer in 1990 at the SMRM
meeting held in New York, NY, USA. If not then, it
was definitely in San Francisco during the first
SMRT Annual Meeting that was held in conjunction
with the parent society, SMRM, Annual Meeting. It is
difficult to try to remember when Jennifer wasn’t
there, not only in my mind but in the minds of so
many of the Technologists who over the years have
volunteered their time and contributed their
expertise and knowledge to the growth of the SMRT,
because she has always been there – been there to
provide never ending support for us, the
Technologists. |
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Of course Jennifer has played a significant role in
the parent society but has provided enormous support
and valuable direction for the Technologists’
section, the SMRT. She is our expert in all things
to know about non-profit organizations such as ours.
Jennifer is our comprehensive memory for all things
concerning by-laws, conducting regional seminars and
annual meetings, and all publications – since 1990.
Jennifer is our non-stop resource to ensure that the
SMRT continues to grow not only their membership,
but also their educational offerings for the
membership. She constantly cultivates ideas on how
to better serve the membership. Jennifer has been
relentless when it comes to providing quality
education for MR Technologists. |
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Finally, Jennifer is a true and loyal friend. To be
successful along all of life’s avenues, one must
have great friends who provide support that is both
candid and honest – which describes Jennifer
completely. To quote Yeats “Think where man’s glory
most begins and ends, and say my glory was I had
such friends.” We will miss her terribly but know
that she is off to a new and rewarding chapter in
her life and congratulate her for it. And thank,
thank, thank Jennifer a million times over for all
her hard work and long hours spent supporting MR
Technologist education. |
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Barry Southers, M.Ed., R.T. (R)(MR), SMRT President
2015-2016
There are countless reasons to be thankful for the
incredible efforts Jennifer Olson has done for the
SMRT. Jennifer is truly an amazing person and her
dedication, passion, and generosity is second to
none. |
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I did not gain a true appreciation for how valuable
she is until I joined the Policy Board. Early on in
my time with the Policy Board, as well as when I was
starting the Kentucky SMRT Chapter, I felt like I
had a ton of unanswered questions, yet every time I
called Jennifer (which was on several occasions by
the way) she would always take the time to answer my
questions – even though she was extremely busy. It
meant a lot to me that she took the time out of her
crazy schedule to offer her wisdom and support. I am
grateful for the opportunity to have worked with
Jennifer over the years and appreciative of the time
spent simply talking to her. I wish her nothing but
the best in the future and offer her a thousand
“thank yous” for all her contributions during her
time with the SMRT. Thanks, Barry |
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Charles Stanley BSRT,CIIP(R)(CT)(MR), SMRT President
2011-2012
During our professional careers, we often have
people that we can reflect on, that have been a
constant in our journey. Jennifer has been a
continuous influence and presence in my time with
the SMRT. As a brand new Policy Board member in
2004, thru my time as External Relations Co-Chair,
and thru my Presidency, Jennifer was an ever-present
and consistent resource. She was there for many
issues and opinions of how things should be done.
One of the things I always valued about Jennifer was
her ability to help us appreciate the historical
context of our positions and help us understand the
implications of our actions. I also admired her
ability to “move on” from situations. Regardless of
how contentious things may get, or how difficult a
situation; once it was done, Jennifer’s word was
“Onwards” and off we went to our next adventure.
Lastly and to me most importantly, I appreciated
Jennifer's desire to see the best in people and
consequently give them the benefit of the doubt.
Many people have been enriched by her willingness to
forgive and forget and the SMRT is a better
organization because of her. Thank you Jennifer for
all you have done! Charles. |
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Julie Strandt-Peay BSM,R.T.(R)(MR)FSMRT, SMRT
President 1999-2000
It is difficult for me to remember the first time I
met Jennifer Olson because to me she has always been
there, in every sense of that phrase. When it comes
to the care and feeding of volunteers her gifts are
many. Year after year with new people rotating on
and off the Policy Board and Standing Committees she
has been the steadfast presence, sometimes in the
midst of uncertainty. She has stewarded the SMRT
through many changes both human and technological,
all with a quiet strength and reassurance. She is
always available to take my telephone call, offer me
encouragement and wish me well, no matter how busy
her schedule. |
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Jennifer has assisted, prodded, and carried the use
of advancing media to communicate to the membership.
From hard copy paper that was snail mailed, to a
website presence and e-mail blast newsletters, she
has taken each evolution in stride. Her sense of
humor and can do attitude helped when dealing with
many blurry faxed documents that needed a telephone
call to clarify. Photographs for the newsletter were
black and white glossy prints with arrows physically
placed when needed. SMRT publications have greatly
progressed in technology and Jennifer has guided the
new procedure each step of the way. |
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Through all the years, Jennifer has been my rock and
support. You have touched many lives Jennifer, and
in a wonderful positive way! Thank you from the
bottom of my heart for your friendship and care.
Julie |
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Wendy Strugnell B.App.Sc.(MIT)FSMRT, SMRT President
2008-2009
Jennifer’s tireless and seemingly limitless
commitment to the SMRT has made the organization
what it is today. Having dealt with 23 SMRT
Presidents, Jennifer’s corporate memory will be hard
to replace. We are so privileged to have had her
steering the organization through the many
challenges and triumphs. I would particularly like
to acknowledge Jennifer’s immense contributions to
the successful organization of the annual Australian
and New Zealand SMRT meetings and the subsequent
growth of the ANZ Chapter. Her dedication to the
continued globalization of the SMRT community has
been significant and greatly appreciated. |
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As the first President from outside the USA, I want
to thank Jennifer for making the difficulties of
communicating across many miles and many time zones
feasible. Being such a gentle, and thoughtful
person, Jennifer’s intelligent advice was often
requested and always appreciated. Her calm,
reassuring voice on the end of a phone line was
always welcome. |
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Jennifer, you deserve a very happy and rewarding
retirement and if your travels take you to
Australia, you will have many friends to visit.
Wendy Strugnell |
