2024 CAMRT-BC Award Recipients
The Member Recognition and Awards Program was established by CAMRT-BC to showcase the talent and professionalism of CAMRT-BC members and students enrolled in accredited medical radiation technology education programs. We are pleased to recognize this year’s award recipients.
Bracco Paragon Award
The CAMRT-BC is pleased to present this award to Hua Fan, RTR, RTMR
This award is provided by Bracco IMAGING Canada each year to the CAMRT-BC member who achieved the highest score on the certification exam across all disciplines.
Hua achieved the highest score among all CAMRT-BC members who wrote a certification exam in 2023.
After completing her Medical Radiography Diploma from the BC Institute of Technology (BCIT) in 2021, Hua decided to pursue the Advanced Certificate in MRI at BCIT. She now works as an MRI Technologist at Vancouver General Hospital.
The next awards are determined by nomination. Members of the advisory council reviewed the nominations, and we are pleased to present four member recognition awards.
Award of Excellence
The Award of Excellence is presented to individuals who consistently demonstrate excellence in technical proficiency and innovation. While never compromising patient care, the recipients of this award ensure every procedure is carried out to the highest possible standard. These individuals are respected by their coworkers for the care and attention in performing all procedures.
There are two recipients for the Award of Excellence this year.
The CAMRT-BC is pleased to present the Award of Excellence – Radiological Technology to Michelle Gut, RTR
“Michelle has been an outstanding technologist at the Royal Jubilee Hospital since 2010. She works incredibly hard and helps all new staff in orientating and feeling confident! She worked as a Stewart for several years increasing her knowledge and consistently supporting her fellow co-workers. She goes above and beyond as a backup supervisor when needed and has extra training in new equipment. Michelle deserves to win this award! She is the perfect example of a Radiological Technologist going far and beyond.”
The CAMRT-BC is pleased to present the Award of Excellence – Magnetic Resonance to Chelsea Benedictson, RTR, RTMR
“Chelsea is a Senior MRI Technologist at Prenuvo and the Lead Magnetic Resonance Safety Officer. Despite only obtaining her RTMR designation in January 2021, Chelsea has grown into this important role and is innovating as the company grows. She is technically proficient, patient centric and able to make quick decisions. Her interest in promoting a safe MR culture helps ensure we have zero safety incidents.
Chelsea works tirelessly with our clinical and sales team to ensure all patients with a history of surgical implants are prepared prior to the exam. Working with cross-functional teams, she is responsible for approving all implants (there are lots!) and ensures proper downstream communication to the MR technologists. She develops policies/procedures and educational materials to help train sales, front-desk and technologist teams.
When I first met Chelsea, I found her to be incredibly spirited and have a warm personality. She is friendly, open to others, enthusiastic, and affectionate. She is an amazing team player. She works incredibly hard at work and balances life during her days off. I thoroughly enjoy working with Chelsea and I think she will be an incredible leader as she develops throughout her career.”
Excellence in Teaching Award
This award is presented to an MRT who demonstrates outstanding contributions in enhancing the teaching and learning experience of students during their educational program. The recipient of this award actively engages students within the academic and/or clinical environment. This individual remains up to date with practice standards and ensures students aspire to reach their full potential.
The CAMRT-BC is pleased to present this award to Mira Rosche, RTR, RTMR
“Mira does a lot of the “unseen” work required to run a program focused on student success, and producing professional and component graduates. Mira is passionate about the student experience in the clinical environment and building relationships with clinical partners. She has spent untold hours encouraging and mentoring students as they go through their clinical experience. She traveled in all sorts of weather across Northern BC, as far west as Prince Rupert, north to Fort St. John and south to Penticton to support students at their clinical sites. She particularly worked hard to organize annual meetings for the clinical instructors to develop strong relationships with our affiliated clinical sites. Mira has been a mentor to several faculty members, all of whom came from MRT practice into the education realm for the next step in their career development.
Mira retired this year after spending nearly the last 15 years building and sustaining the Medical Radiography Program (MRAD) at the College of New Caledonia in Prince George, BC. She has been a mentor to several faculty members who came from MRT practice into the education realm for the next step in their career development. The success of the program is heavily attributed to her care for students, faculty, and clinical partners and she leaves a strong legacy of care and support.”
Innovative Leader Award
This award is presented to an MRT who has demonstrated excellence in leadership. The recipient of this award may hold a formal leadership position or may demonstrate leadership within their work/professional environment. This individual has earned the respect of coworkers through their efforts to contribute to the practice of excellence within their department/organization. They exemplify professional leadership by upholding the values of Medical Radiation Technologists. Through their efforts, there is a significant impact on the advancement of excellence in MRT practice.
The CAMRT-BC is pleased to present this award to Joanne Soltesz, RTNM
“The biggest success of her career thus far was in 2019 when she helped to spearhead the Radioseed Program at Royal Columbian Hospital (RCH), which is the first and only in BC. She worked to create the program from the bottom up; creating guidelines and protocols, as well as educating breast imaging staff regarding radiation safety practices. This program has been extremely successful and has had an extremely positive impact on breast cancer patients coming through RCH and was recognized as a runner up in the 2024 BC Quality awards.
In the summer of 2023, Joanne stepped up into her current role as Site Coordinator for Medical Imaging at RCH. She has taken on this massive role with kindness, understanding and grace. She is a strong leader who is always thinking outside the box for new and innovative ways to support the Medical imaging departments. Joanne has a saying, ‘be curious, not furious’, and it applies to her leadership so well. Her curiosity and ability to ask questions allows her to bring new and inventive ideas to positively impact the medical imaging departments, staff and patients. Joanne perfectly embodies what it means to be an innovative and effective leader, and I am so very grateful to get to work and learn alongside her.”
Congratulations Hua, Michelle, Chelsea, Mira, and Joanne on winning these awards!
For information about CAMRT-BC’s Member Recognition and Awards Program visit this page.
To find a list of past award recipients, visit this page.