Several SMRT local chapter presidents were
able to attend the Toshiba event 7-8th, October 2011; including
Bobbie Burrow of the Atlanta Chapter, Carol Lee of the
South Carolina Chapter, Julie Lowe of the Indiana Chapter,
Catherine Leyen of the Southwest Chapter and Mercedes Pererya
of the Gulf Coast Chapter. Guests enjoyed dinner Friday evening and
presentations by the Toshiba staff followed by a social event at the
Balboa Bay Club marina. Saturday morning we were invited to the
Toshiba education center for the presentation of the 3T wide bore
scanner. The Toshiba staff arranged for volunteers to be present for
demonstrations of patient positioning utilizing a variety of coils
the system offers. During the scanning demonstration, invitees asked
questions about the unique capabilities of the new system and the
staff gained valuable feedback from invited technologists and
radiologists. Although the 3T MR scanner was the star of the show we
were also impressed with the educational facility that was provided
for customers.
Indiana Chapter President, Julie Lowe conducted an interview
of some attendees including Stuart Clarkson, Director of
Toshiba MR Business Unit:
Question: Will you please tell us
about the educational facility and how it will benefit the
technologist being trained for a Toshiba system?
Stuart Clarkson: The Education center is an $8 million
investment in the customers who use Toshiba equipment. We train over
500 technologists and physicians a year at our learning center.
Typically a MR customer will send two technologists for two weeks of
dedicated hands on scanning with our educators before we install
their MRI Scanner in their hospital. Additionally, we offer advanced
training courses such as Non Contrast MRA or Cardiac MR. Toshiba
also follows up this training with on site Applications Specialist
training. This combination of training ensures the technologists
have a high degree of expertise immediately after the new MR scanner
is turned over.
Question: Will you please tell us about the possible
opportunities for Local SMRT Chapters that are planning Regional
seminars with regard to an educational speaker provided by Toshiba?
Stuart Clarkson: Toshiba has a huge commitment to ongoing
training for MR Technologists and as such are happy to support local
chapter meetings with Educational offerings from our team including
lectures, literature and funding support to ensure the success of
the local chapter meetings throughout the United States. We as a
company believe that investing in the technologists who drive our MR
Scanners will ensure the best use of our technology and ultimately
the best result for the patient, which is what we are most
interested in.
Question: What was interesting to you about your visit to
Toshiba?
Carol Lee: I was impressed with the new 3T Scanner. The non
contrast MRA was very impressive and also the decreased noise level
of. Since I work at an orthopedic office I also liked the large knee
coil that Toshiba now has available.
Question: Did you feel that both the SMRT Local Chapters and
Toshiba benefited from our presence?
Carol Lee: Yes, I feel it was beneficial for both. Keeping up
to date with changes in the MR world helps us to plan what we need
to focus on at our chapter MRI Educational meetings. I also think it
is beneficial to promote the SMRT local chapters at every occasion
we have when interacting with MR professionals. I feel it was very
smart for Toshiba to invite us as leaders in MR Technologist
education from around the US who are passionate about MR and have
interactions with so many other MR professionals.
Question: What was interesting to you about your visit to
Toshiba?
Bobbie Burrow: I loved having the hands on experience and I
loved the physics about their machine. It was a very well organized
visit.
Question: Did you feel that both the SMRT Local Chapters and
Toshiba benefited from our presence?
Bobbie Burrow: I feel that this was beneficial for Toshiba to have SMRT
technologists give their opinion of their product. They know that we
will get the word out to the MRI community if we like their
products. It was also beneficial for the local chapters to network.
The Atlanta Chapter was glad to have Toshiba be part of our meeting
for the first time.
Question: Did you feel that both the SMRT Local Chapters and Toshiba
benefited from our presence?
Mercedes: I feel that it is important for the leading MR users to
learn from all the vendors.
Many new introductions were made and for some there are hopes of
reacquainting in Chicago at RSNA which is just around the corner. We
all agree that the event was a success for all that participated.
For educational opportunities provided by Toshiba please contact
your local representative in the U.S.
If you are interested in organizing an SMRT Regional Educational
Seminar please contact any SMRT leader for information (having an
established Chapter isn’t necessary).
For information or assistance please contact:
Betsy Sestina, SMRT Regional Chair
betsysestina@comcast.net
Carol Lee, SMRT Local Chapters Chair
CLee@piedmontortho.com
Julie Lowe, SMRT Past President 2010-2011
j_lowe66@yahoo.com |