CAMRT-BC Advisory Council

The CAMRT-BC Advisory Council offers expertise and support to the CAMRT Board of Directors and staff regarding issues relating to MRT practice and provincial member services in the province. It is a critical voice in representing MRTs in the province, assessing member needs in areas such as continuing professional development, advocacy, social events, awards and member recognition. See the Terms of Reference for more information.

Advisory Council News

The Advisory Council continues to make recommendations in the following key areas of member services:

Provincial Advocacy: Currently self-regulation and the upcoming establishment of an umbrella college is the primary focus. We will work on keeping our members up to date, anticipating and answering their questions and assisting in the transition to a regulated work environment. Other issues of interest/concern to MRTs in BC are being identified as potential advocacy campaigns. Promoting pride of profession is an ongoing focus and overlays all the activities of the CAMRT-BC.

Outreach: How does the CAMRT-BC best connect with members, keep them current on professional activities and hear about member ideas for how the association can help them? Site Ambassadors are seen to be key in this endeavor and as such work will continue to expand the number of Site Ambassadors, as well as developing the role into a more active liaison between the membership and the advisory council and the CAMRT staff that support our provincial activities.

In addition, the CAMRT-BC will continue to expand the use of social media platforms as one way to engage with MRTs around the province.

Education: One of the areas of greatest interest to MRTs is how to participate in ongoing educational activities. The CAMRT-BC is looking for ways to ensure there are local educational events that provide engaging and relevant topics. The new “InfoShare” regional mini-conference model has proven to be popular, and the goal is to expand these offerings to more locations. Other education related goals include supporting those MRTs that are interested in giving presentations, and investigating the opportunities for leadership development.

Member Recognition: Awards and member recognition has always been an integral part of recognizing the work well done by MRTs in the province. Through recommendations from the advisory council, the award offerings were reviewed and now offered through an online nominations process.

All of this work is best accomplished with the ideas and energy of all members. If you have thoughts or ideas about any of these areas of member services – or for a new service – please feel free to contact Sarah Erdelyi, Provincial Manager at serdelyi@camrt.ca.

Watch for opportunities to volunteer! There is lots to be done, and volunteers will help make it happen.

CAMRT-BC Advisory Council Members

Zahra Kurji, BSc, RTR, CTIC, ID

Role: Instructor and Clinical Coordinator, Medical Radiography Program, School of Health Sciences, British Columbia Institute of Technology

First Term: April 2023 – March 2025

Clinical liaison for BCIT Medical Radiography students and clinical partners
Ex-officio member of the BCIT MRAD Program Advisory committee
BCIT School of Health Science Interprofessional Education committee member
BCIT Equal Canada Patient Partners committee member
VCH casual employee – CT and IVR departments
CAMRT IW committee member
CAMRT 2022 conference attendee

Corlea Smit, RTR, PID

Role: Interim Supervisor, Screening and Diagnostic Mammography, Abbotsford Hospital

First Term: April 2023-March 2025

Interim supervisor for screening and diagnostic mammography at Abbotsford Hospital
10 years experience in teaching and clinical coordinator for BCIT’s Medical Radiography Program
Designed several courses for BCIT and CAMRT; topics include student preceptorship and working with patients with disabilities

Hayley Olson, BSc, RTNM

Role: Nuclear Medicine Technologist, Vancouver Coastal Health and PET/CT Technologist, BC Cancer and Part-time Instructor, BCIT

First Term: March 2021 – Februrary 2023
Second Term: March 2023-February 2025

Provides expertise as a practicing technologist in several clinical sites as well as a recent graduate (2019)
Part time instructor in the nuclear medicine program at BCIT
Works casually at three hospitals and BC Cancer Vancouver
Prior volunteer experience with the School of Health Sciences at BCIT
Prior experience organizing and volunteering at events at UBC

Katherine Kwan, BA, RTR, RTMR

Role: MRI Technologist with Simon Fraser University 3T Imagetech Lab

First Term: March 2021 – Februrary 2023
Second Term: March 2023-February 2025

Engages with multiple levels of stakeholders to create health system improvements through accreditation and education
Experience in diagnostic imaging accreditation and developing accreditation standards
Co-chairs the MRI Program Advisory Committee at BCIT
On the Medical Radiography Program Advisory Committee at BCIT
On the CAMRT Professional Practice Advisory Council for MRI and CT

Ruth Dillon, BSc, RTT

Role: Radiation Therapist, BC Cancer Vancouver

First Term: March 2021 – Februrary 2023
Second Term: March 2023-February 2025

Current work experience provides expertise as a practicing radiation therapist
International experience as a radiation therapist (Ireland)
Published in the Journal of Cancer Education and Irish Journal of Medical Science
Prior volunteer experience as peer reviewer for CAMRT SRS Quick Self Study

Ted Toriumi, RTT

Role: Radiation Therapist, BC Cancer – Abbotsford

First Term: January 2020 – December 2021
Second Term: January 2022-December 2023

Participates on several committees, including BC Cancer/BCIT Clinical Liaison
BCAMRT Innovative Leadership recipient 2016

Erin Robitaille, RTR, CBIS, CBID

Role: Clinical Instructor, Penticton Regional Hospital; Background in Breast Imaging and General Radiography; Advisory Council Chair

First Term: January 2020 – December 2021
Second Term: January 2022-December 2023

CAMRT Leadership Development attendee
On the CBI committee for the CAMRT
Keynote speaker 2019 Siemens Symposium
Speaker at CAMRT 2022 (view talk in CAMRT’s CPD catalogue)

Terry Mitchell, RTR, BA Medical Anthropology

Role: Chief Technologist Fort St John Hospital

First Term: January 2020 – December 2021
Second Term: January 2022-December 2023

Responsible for all aspects of 7 modality MI Department
CAMRT Leadership Development Institute participant
2014 CAMRT L.G. Cartwright Award recipient
Presentations at CAMRT and CAMRT-BC events

Nicole Bemister, RTR, CBIS

Role: General Radiography Assistant Team Lead, Medray Imaging Coquitlam

First Term: January 2020 – December 2021
Second Term: January 2022-December 2023

Assists in managing and leading a team of up to 30 MRTs over 5 departments in a private clinic setting
CAMRT Leadership Development Institute participant
CAMRT Professional Practice Advisory Council: Breast Imaging Chair
CAMRT-BC slack champion

Sarah Erdelyi, RTR, CTIC, MSc Health Science Education

Role: Provincial Manager, CAMRT-BC

CAMRT Leadership Development attendee
Teaches in the Medical Radiography Program at Camosun College
Member of the Professional Practice Advisory Council
Previous Chair of the CAMRT-BC Advisory Council

Kristy Owen, RTNM

Role: Co-Program Head, Nuclear Medicine Technology, BCIT

Ex-officio member to Advisory Council
CAMRT Director for BC
Previous volunteer experience with BCAMRT as co-chair of AGC
Previous clinical experience at multiple hospitals in the lower mainland
Passion for leadership and working with students