New York Methodist Hospital’s Center for Allied Health Education held ceremonies for two of its four schools, the School of Radiation Therapy and the Bartone School of Radiography. Both occasions were joyous ones as the two graduating classes were praised for successful completion of their rigorous two-year programs.
Nine graduates of New York Methodist Hospital’s School of Radiation Therapy Technology were honored with heartfelt speeches and applause during a recent graduation ceremony. “Congratulations to all of you for pursuing radiation therapy,” said Mary Reynolds, program director of the School, during a recent graduation ceremony. “You will be helping people through one of the most difficult times in their lives. All of you will have careers that you will be proud of.”
Jerry Rozenberg, director of New York Methodist Hospital’s Center for Allied Health Education, also praised the graduates on their career paths. “Your field requires very special workers who can put their own needs aside and focus on their patients. Go out into the world and help people.” Radiation therapy technologists administer individually prescribed radiation treatments to patients with cancer. Depending on the type and stage of cancer, the treatments may be used alone or in conjunction with other forms of cancer therapy.
The NYM School of Radiation Therapy is one of four schools housed within the Hospital’s Center for Allied Health Education. The NYM School of Radiation Therapy is a two-year certificate program that entails classroom instruction, laboratory sessions, and a strong clinical component. Students also receive a thorough foundation in theory.
The program’s goal is to graduate well-trained individuals who pass the registry examination and gain employment as radiation therapists and can perform the tasks of a radiation therapist in a competent manner. In addition to the field of radiation oncology, graduates may develop careers in administration, research, dosimetry, education, or technical consultation. They may be employed in hospitals, clinics, private offices, laboratories, or medical equipment companies.
Various awards were given to graduates for outstanding performance, and Pamela Ross, BS, RT (T), clinical supervisor of the school, received a certificate of excellence for her exceptional performance as a teacher in the school. Other members of NYM’s School of Radiation Therapy class of 2008 are: Nihal Anis of Bensonhurst, Akio R. Cox of Cobble Hill, and Brian B. Thomas of Canarsie.
New York Methodist Hospital’s Bartone School of Radiography also held a graduation ceremony, celebrating its 44th class. The 14 graduates filed into the Hospital’s East Pavilion Auditorium dressed not in their usual uniforms of scrubs, but in their best suits and dresses. As the graduates entered, they were welcomed by happy whoops and cheers from family and friends.
The students were congratulated for their hard work in completing the two-year program. Steven Garner, MD, chair of the Department of Radiology at New York Methodist Hospital, and medical director of the Bartone School said, “I want to thank you all and wish you all success and good luck.” Jerry Rozenburg, director of New York Methodist Hospital’s Center for Allied Health Education joined in by giving the students some inspiration, “Know that as you go forward, you will help save someone’s life.” Radiographers perform x-rays and other diagnostic procedures that make it possible for doctors to diagnose and treat the full range of diseases and injuries.
Special awards were given for exceptional achievement. Thomas Ryan of Windsor Terrace received the GE Healthcare Award for Clinical Excellence in memory of Samuel Ramourtar, MD, along with a $100 check donated by the NYM Auxiliary. Tania Henriquez of Sunset Park received the Vincent Marrota Memorial Award for Outstanding Patient Care and Reliability, given to the student who best embodies the qualities of integrity and honesty in health care.
The (JRCERT) Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology Certificate of Excellence was given to Lauren Manning of Marine Park, and class salutatorian, for her exemplary performance in radiologic services. Travis Jeffrey of Brownsville received the Covidien/Mallinckrodt Dependability Award of Excellence for his outstanding performance both inside and outside of the classroom. Finally Sean Maraj, BS, RT(R), clinical coordinator of the Bartone School of Radiography, was awarded the JRCERT Educators Award for Excellence for outstanding clinical instruction.
Other members of New York Methodist Hospital’s Bartone School of Radiography are Melissa Camacho of Sunset Park, Jesse Colacrai of Bensonhurst, Rafael DeLeon of Bushwick, Donna Dituri of Bensonhurst, Melvin Laureano of Sunset Park, and Hector Ramirez of Cobble Hill.
Many graduates have used the skills learned at NYM’s Bartone School of Radiography to build careers in advanced areas such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning, ultrasound, nuclear medicine or to branch out into related fields, such as radiologic education and radiologic administration.
For more about the Bartone School of Radiography, the School of Radiation Therapy, and the other educational training programs that make up the Center for Allied Health Education, visit the hospital’s website at www.nym.org or call 718-645-3500.
New York Methodist Hospital is located at 506 Sixth Street between Seventh & Eighth avenues.
