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JRCERT Support for Image Gently Campaign

. . . thoughts and comments from a radiologist and recent JRCERT Director

The mission of ric Imaging. The Alliance is a coalition used for imaging children, the imaging
the JRCERT founded by the Society for Pediatric procedure is medically necessary and
focuses on Imaging, the American Society of Radio- the ALARA principle is followed. The
two distinct logic Technologists, the American Col- Image Gently campaign is not meant to
but related lege of Radiology, and the American dissuade the use of appropriate medical
elements Association of Physicists in Medicine. imaging in the pediatric population.
“promotes The goal of the Alliance is to “change
The radiologic technology community
Darcy Wolfman, M.D. excellence in practice by raising awareness of the
Walter Reed National education and opportunities to lower radiation dose plays an important role in these discus-
Military Medical Center sions. By incorporating these principles
Bethesda, MD elevates the in the imaging of children.” This goal is into the education of radiologic tech-
quality and directly in line with the mission of the
Member of the JRCERT nologists, the profession can be at the
Board of Directors safety of pa- JRCERT. forefront in advocating for these pa-
through April 2016 tient care.”
Board Meeting Pediatric imaging, and imaging in gen- tients. For further information on this
Quite often,
eral, should be done as a team, with important initiative, I recommend visit-
programs and the public tend to over- referring physicians, radiologists, radio- ing the Image Gently Web site,
look the JRCERT’s activities in support
logic technologists, and qualified medi- www.imagegently.org, which provides a
of patient care and safety. The
wealth of information for radiolog-
JRCERT Standards for educational
ic technologists, patients, famillies,
programs include several objectives
and other caregivers.
that guide programs in assuring stu-
dents employ proper radiation safety Darcy Wolfman, M.D.
practices to protect themselves and
their patients from the potentially
cal physicists, all playing important roles JRCERT
harmful effects of ionizing radiation.
in patient care. The best way radiologic
20 North Wacker Drive
As a practicing radiologist and recent technologists can be involved in chang-
Suite 2850
member of the JRCERT Board of Di- ing practice locally is to be judicious in
rectors, I am dedicated to the precepts their use of ionizing radiation and serve Chicago, IL 60606-3182
of the JRCERT’s mission. I am especial- as advocates for the use of the ALARA (312) 704-5300
ly proud that the JRCERT is identified (as low as reasonably achievable) princi-
(312) 704-5304 (fax)
as one of more than 95 Alliance Organ- ple when imaging pediatric patients.
mail@jrcert.org (e-mail)
izations that have pledged their support The Image Gently campaign is meant to
for the Image Gently Campaign from the prompt discussion and awareness to www.jrcert.org
Alliance for Radiation Safety in Pediat- ensure that when ionizing radiation is

This Pulse Newsletter is archived on the JRCERT Web site, www.jrcert.org, under the “News” tab.

Pulse Editor: Thomas Brown, M.A.Ed., R.T.(R), Accreditation Specialist