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. It is pivotal in shaping CAMRT-BC.

Advisory Council News: August 2018

From meetings in April and June, work is commencing based on recommendations in the following areas of member services:

Provincial Advocacy: Currently self-regulation and the upcoming establishment of the College of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Health Professionals 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 we will be working hard in the upcoming months 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, this team will be providing recommendations and ideas on how to best communicate with our members using our social media platforms and publications.

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. Along with plans for regional educational events (mini conferences), we will be working on a Lunch and Learn program that offers a variety of topics and presentation venues. There is also interest in establishing a BC based Leadership Development Program – a mini version of what is offered through the CAMRT Leadership Development Institute.

Member Recognition: Awards and member recognition has always been an integral part of recognizing the work well done by MRTs in the province. The advisory council is reviewing the previous array of awards and will be making recommendations on which awards to keep, which new awards to consider and how best to present these awards and honor members in other meaningful ways.

All 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 Louise Kallhood, Provincial Manager at lkallhood@camrt.bc.

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

CAMRT-BC Advisory Council Members

Alison Giddings, RTT, MSc (Radiotherapy & Oncology, Sheffield Hallam University)

Role: Clinical Educator, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver

Within educator role is networked to Radiation Therapists within the province and across Canada.
Still works 20% clinically so has a strong understanding of practice issues.
Contributed to several articles published in JIMRS
Volunteer experience with BCAMRT Conference Planning and CAMRT Foundation

Romel Canlas, RTT, MSc Candidate Radiotherapy & Oncology (Sheffield Hallam University, UK)

Role: Clinical Systems Transformation (CST) Coordinator, BC Cancer Agency, Abbotsford

Provincial and local research steering committee member
CAMRT Leadership Development Institute attendee
BCAMRT Foundation Treasurer, BCIT RT Advisory Program Committee representative

Craig Elith, B.MRS (RT), PhD Philosophy, Medical Radiation Science (University of Newcastle, Australia)

Role: Chief Radiation Therapist, BC Cancer Agency, Surrey

Within Chief Therapist role is strongly networked within the Radiation Therapy community
BCAMRT board member, Director Liaison for Membership Recognition
Peer Reviewer for JIMRS

Brigit Jensen, RTT, BSc (Biochemistry), Certificate in Adult Learning (UVic), Masters of Arts in Leadership – Health Specialty (Royal Roads)

Role: Clinical Systems Transformation (CST) Regional Coordinator, BC Cancer Agency, Victoria

Resource Planning role gives experience with staff and patient education, liaising with other professions
BC Cancer Advisory and BCIT RT Advisory Committee member
BCAMRT Board member, BCAMRT Conference Planning, ISSRT/CAMRT conference volunteer

Sara Neukomm, RTR, Certified in Bone Densitometry

Role: Radiographer and Bone Density Technologist, Kelowna Medical Imaging (Private Clinic)

Prior experience in CT and Quality Assurance
Extensive volunteer work with the Alberta College of Medical Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technologists including chairing board meetings, creating standards of practice, college bylaws

Sarah Erdelyi, RTR, BSc Life Sciences (Queen’s University), MSc Health Sciences Education (McMaster University)

Role: Full time Instructor, Camosun College MRT Program, Victoria

Works casual as RTR at Saanich Peninsula Hospital.
Previously Clinical Instructor
CT certified
CAMRT Leadership Institute attendee
Member of CAMRT Professional Practice Advisory Committee

Bryce Gillman, RTNM, BSc Kinesiology, Registered Radiation Safety Professional (CRPA(R))

Role(s): Part Time Instructor, Nuclear Medicine Program BCIT, CT Technologist, Burnaby Hospital

PET/CT Technologist BC Cancer Agency, Radiation Safety Specialist, KRMC (Krivonosov Risk Management Consultants)

Current work experience provides expertise as a practicing technologist in several modalities as well as an educator.
Organized event where Nuclear Medicine Technologist and students provided mini-topics.
Presenting at upcoming Canadian Association of Nuclear Medicine conference

Sam Yim, B.MRS, RTMR (BCIT), MA Health Administration (UBC)

Role: MRI Area Supervisor, Lions Gate Hospital

Working experience in Ontario and BC, including radiography and MR
Connected to MR community
Supervisory role has taught him about staff engagement, educational development and stewardship
Consultant CAMRT Best Practice Guidelines Steering Committee for MRI issues.
Volunteer on BCAMRT Regulatory Working Committee for MR

Sean West, RTR

Role: Regional Practice Lead, CT Quality, Safety and Process Improvement Lower Mainland

Extensive CT experience
Local and provincial network of MRTs
Surveyor Diagnostic Accreditation Program
Assisted BCAMRT Regulatory Working Committee (CT)

Terry Mitchell, RTR, BA Medical Anthropology

Role: Chief Technologist Fort St John Hospital

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

ROLE: General Radiography Assistant Team Lead, Medray Imaging Coquitlam

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

Louise Kallhood, RTR, MEd Adult Education Simon Fraser University

Role: Provincial Manager, CAMRT-BC

Retired after 37 years in MRT practice including roles as Clinical Instructor and Section Head Radiology/Breast Imaging
Program Chair during startup of Camosun College MRT program
Provincial and National association volunteer including BCAMRT President

Meena Amlani, RTR, BSc(Hons), MBA, DHlthSc

Role: Full Time Instructor Medical Radiography Program BCIT

Ex-officiol member to Advisory Council
CAMRT Director for BC
CAMRT Future Technology Advisory Council
BCIT Research Ethics Board