Medical Radiation Sciences - University of Toronto/Michener Joint Program

On Wednesday, June 5, the University of Toronto proudly conferred the degrees of the MRS Class of 2024 at U of T’s historic Convocation Hall.

We send heartfelt congratulations to all our graduates and celebrate those who received awards (listed below) at our Pre-Convocation Reception at Hart House prior to the Convocation ceremony.

Photo: Dr. Laura Dawson (Chair, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto) and Kieng Tan (Associate Director, Medical Radiation Sciences Program), present Liza Kurucz with the Gold Medal for Highest Academic Standing. (Photo Credit: Wing Yau)

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Highest Academic Standing

Liza Kurucz
Gold Medal
(Radiological Technology)

Wink Chan
Silver Medal
(Radiological Technology)

Yu Hui Su
Bronze Medal
(Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging Technology)

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Research Award

Charlotte Grace Sole (Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging Technology)
Award for Excellence in Research Methods
Project title: “The Future of MRIT Employment: Recruitment and
Retainment from a New Graduate Perspective”
Supervisor: Dr. Caitlin Gillan, JDMI

Adam Magliozzi (Radiological Technology)
Honourable Mention in Research Methods
Project title: “Analyzing Technical Factor Selection for Exposure
Index and Patient Dose: A Study of Portable X-ray Imaging in the
NICU at SickKids Hospital”
Supervisor: Dr. Nicholas Shkumat, Sick Kids Hospital

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Research in Practice Awards

Tian Hua
Award of Excellence in Radiological Technology
Literature review: “Improving Patient Safety in Radiographic
Exams for Nasogastric Tube (NGT) Placement Verification:
Strategies and Role Expansion of Medical Radiation Technologists
(MRTs)”

Andrea Agyei-Odame
Honourable Mention in Radiological Technology
Literature review: “Low Dose Computed Tomography Outcomes for
Patients with Acute Abdominal Pain in the Emergency Department.”

Margaret Grace O’Krafka
Award of Excellence in Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging Technology
Literature Review: “Impact of Lidocaine on Reducing Patient Pain in
Sentinel Node Lymphoscintigraphy and Test Reliability.”

Julia Gennaccaro
Honourable Mention in Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging Technology
Literature and Protocol review: “How Protein Loading Prior to
Assessment Affects Pediatric Glomerular Filtration Rate”

Shanawar Gill
Award of Excellence in Radiation Therapy
Literature review: “Evaluating the Role of SpaceOAR Hydrogel in
Alleviating Re**al Toxicities/Dose & Quality of Life for Prostate
Cancer Patients receiving Radiotherapy.”

Laura Colangelo
Honourable Mention in Radiation Therapy
Literature review: “An Evaluation of Cardiac-Sparing Radiation
Therapy Techniques for Left-Sided Breast Cancer.”

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Medical Radiation Sciences Volunteer Award

Alvin Cuni
Colin Hicks
Katelyn Karmazyn
Adam Magliozzi
Margaret O’Krafka
Claire-Marie Peck
Subanki Srikanthan

First awarded in 2012, the Medical Radiation Sciences Volunteer Award recognizes the exceptional contributions of Medical Radiation Sciences (MRS) students in supporting the University of Toronto. Often working behind the scenes, these outstanding individuals volunteer their time and efforts to help their fellow students, faculty, and academic community.

We're celebrating the MRS Class of 2024 and award winners at our Pre-Convocation Reception at U of T's historic Hart House, before today's Convocation ceremony. Congrats to all our graduates, we're so proud of you!

Congratulations to Rabina Parvar, MRS Radiation Therapy graduate Class of 2023, for tying top marks on the CAMRT 2023 Radiation Therapy national certification exam.

MRS Class 2024 graduates, Charlotte Sole and Adam Magliozzi, after their individual presentations at the CAMRT 2024 Conference.

MRS graduate Charlotte Sole, Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Technology Class 2024, presenting her student research project at the CAMRT 2024 Conference.

MRS graduate Adam Magliozzi, Radiological Technology Class of 2024, presenting at the CAMRT 2024 Conference in Saint John, NB.

Reposting with an update! Congratulations to the following MRS students who were selected to present at this year’s RTi3 Conference which was held in Toronto on March 22 and 23, 2024:

• Caroline Marr (Proffered Session 1 – Quality)
Navigating Artificial Intelligence in Radiation Therapy: Understanding Radiation Therapists’ Perspective

• Charlotte Sole (Proffered Session 2 – Operations)
Shaping the Future of MRIT Employment: Recruitment and Retention Strategies from a New Graduate Perspective

• Daniel McRae (Student Rapid-Fire)
Breathe In and Hold: A Retrospective Analysis of Patients with Limited English Proficiency Who Receive Radiotherapy for Left-Sided Breast Cancer and Their Access to Deep Inspiratory Breath Hold Techniques

• Rubbab Abass (Student Rapid-Fire)
Retrospective Comparison of 2 Different Planning Techniques in the Treatment Delivery of Palliative Patients with Femoral/Hip Prosthesis

• Alvin Cuni (Student Rapid-Fire)
Offline CBCT Review of Prostate Patients Treated on Halcyon: Assessing Patient Rotations

• Hillary Ho (Student Rapid-Fire)
Dose Accumulation in REirradiation (DARE) Study to Improve the Accuracy of Normal Tissue Dosimetry

• Hannah Bazinet (Student Rapid-Fire)
Exploring the Use of Cannabis Among Radiation Therapy Patients Treated at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

• Adam Magliozzi (Student Rapid-Fire)
Analyzing Technical Factor Selection for Exposure Index and Patient Dose: A Study of Portable X-ray Imaging in the NICU

• Amy Tam (Student Rapid-Fire)
Determining the Attitudes and Perceptions of Medical Cannabis for Anxiety and Claustrophobia, in Patients Currently Undergoing Radiation Treatment on the Gamma Knife ICON Treatment Unit

• Claire-Marie Peck (Student Rapid-Fire)
Determining How the Covid-19 Pandemic Impacted Palliative Radiotherapy and Radiation Therapy Operations and Delivery: A Retrospective Chart Review Study

Hosted by the University of Toronto’s Department of Radiation Oncology, RTi3 is Canada's premier annual meeting for the Radiation Therapy community. RTi3 is committed to advancing the science and practice of Radiation Therapy, showcasing the latest research and clinical innovations.

www.rti3.com

Reposting with an update! Congratulations to the following MRS students who were selected to present at this year’s RTi3 Conference which was held in Toronto on March 22 and 23, 2024:

• Caroline Marr (Proffered Session 1 – Quality)
Navigating Artificial Intelligence in Radiation Therapy: Understanding Radiation Therapists’ Perspective

• Charlotte Sole (Proffered Session 2 – Operations)
Shaping the Future of MRIT Employment: Recruitment and Retention Strategies from a New Graduate Perspective

• Daniel McRae (Student Rapid-Fire)
Breathe In and Hold: A Retrospective Analysis of Patients with Limited English Proficiency Who Receive Radiotherapy for Left-Sided Breast Cancer and Their Access to Deep Inspiratory Breath Hold Techniques

• Rubbab Abass (Student Rapid-Fire)
Retrospective Comparison of 2 Different Planning Techniques in the Treatment Delivery of Palliative Patients with Femoral/Hip Prosthesis

• Alvin Cuni (Student Rapid-Fire)
Offline CBCT Review of Prostate Patients Treated on Halcyon: Assessing Patient Rotations

• Hillary Ho (Student Rapid-Fire)
Dose Accumulation in REirradiation (DARE) Study to Improve the Accuracy of Normal Tissue Dosimetry

• Hannah Bazinet (Student Rapid-Fire)
Exploring the Use of Cannabis Among Radiation Therapy Patients Treated at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

• Adam Magliozzi (Student Rapid-Fire)
Analyzing Technical Factor Selection for Exposure Index and Patient Dose: A Study of Portable X-ray Imaging in the NICU

• Amy Tam (Student Rapid-Fire)
Determining the Attitudes and Perceptions of Medical Cannabis for Anxiety and Claustrophobia, in Patients Currently Undergoing Radiation Treatment on the Gamma Knife ICON Treatment Unit

• Claire-Marie Peck (Student Rapid-Fire)
Determining How the Covid-19 Pandemic Impacted Palliative Radiotherapy and Radiation Therapy Operations and Delivery: A Retrospective Chart Review Study

Hosted by the University of Toronto’s Department of Radiation Oncology, RTi3 is Canada's premier annual meeting for the Radiation Therapy community. RTi3 is committed to advancing the science and practice of Radiation Therapy, showcasing the latest research and clinical innovations.

For more information about RTi3, visit: www.rti3.com

The MRS February 1 Application Deadline is quickly approaching!

If you’re interested in Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Therapy or Radiological Technology and you’re ready to take your first step towards a rewarding career as a Medical Radiation Technologist (MRT) be sure to apply by the February 1 Application Deadline. We admit students just once a year with studies beginning in September.

You can learn more about our admission requirements and application process at https://radonc.utoronto.ca/application-requirements-deadlines-and-procedures-mrs

Questions? Reach out to our admissions team at [email protected] for assistance.

We wish you a safe and joyous holiday season, and the very best for 2024! Happy holidays everyone!

Wondering what it’s like to study Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Therapy or Radiological Technology?

Current MRS students will be available live online November 23 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm to answer your questions about the program and their student experience – so plan to attend and bring your questions!

To register for this and other upcoming events, visit our Informational Events page: https://radonc.utoronto.ca/informational-events

We look forward to seeing you online!

Experience Michener from the comfort of your home! Virtual Program week is an accessible way to attend an open house and discover all Michener has to offer.

This webinar will feature insight from both chairs and students, as well as a Q&A session for attendees. For more information and to register visit

https://michener.ca/admissions/events/openhouse/

Happy MRT Week! Giveaway Alert!

This week we're joining in the celebration and appreciation of Medical Radiation Technologists (MRTs) and your important role in providing diagnostic and therapeutic care.

Visit our Instagram feed (https://www.instagram.com/mrsprogram/) and tell us what you love about being an MRT (or future MRT) without telling us you're an MRT (or future MRT).

The top three Instagram comments with the most "likes" at the end of the week (12noon on November 11) will each win one (1) $25 gift card for Dipped Donuts (www.dippeddonuts.ca) in Kensington Market (or a donut shop in your hometown). This contest is open to everyone - so get creative and clever!

Congratulations to second-year Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging Technology (NMMIT) student Alfred Tse, winner of the NMMIT program’s 2023 dose draw competition which took place this past summer.

Now that the Brian Wong Dose Draw Time Award plaque has been updated, Alfred has official bragging rights! The plaque, recognizing Alfred’s accomplishment, and winners from previous years, is displayed on Michener’s 10th floor, outside of the NMMIT lab space.

Congratulations Alfred!

The Brian Wong Dose Draw Time Competition is an annual competition to select the Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging Technology (NMMIT) student who can draw aseptically and safely three different doses with the correct amounts requested in the least amount of time. Withdrawing a radioactive dose for a patient is a skill that needs to be mastered by any nuclear medicine student. Dispensing these types of doses in a syringe, requires a few calculations in order to inject a patient with the correct amount and volume of radioactivity, which is then assayed in a dose calibrator, inspected and measured in Bequerels. Students need to use lead pots and lead shielded syringes to protect themselves and others around them from exposure to radiation, which makes the task a bit more challenging.

On October 10, 2023 the University of Toronto Department of Radiation Oncology (UT DRO) held its Annual General Meeting, where MRS faculty were recognized for their outstanding achievements and excellence.

Congratulations to all award winners recognized at the UT DRO AGM, and especially to the following individuals from our MRS community:

Cathryne Palmer - The Cummings Educational Leadership Award recognizes the type of educational excellence that is very rare and is awarded in recognition of outstanding contributions to UT DRO education through educational leadership.

Kieng Tan - Excellence in Research Supervision is presented to a UT DRO faculty member who has been nominated by an MRS student in recognition of their demonstrated and outstanding ability to facilitate and support the progress and quality of an MRS student’s research.

James Loudon - Best Guest Lecturer Award recognizes the teaching abilities of the MRS guest lecturer with the highest average Teaching Effectiveness scores from the MRS Program Clinical Lecture Series.

Zabin Mawji - Excellence in Classroom Teaching Award is awarded to the faculty member with the highest average Teaching Effectiveness scores from all classroom teaching in the MRS Program.

Congratulations everyone!

As our three-day orientation program concludes today, we extend the warmest of welcomes to the MRS Class of 2026 – we’re proud and excited to welcome each of you into our community as you begin your journeys toward professional certification as Medical Radiation Technologists. Welcome aboard!

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Big congratulations to Alfred Tse (Nuclear Medicine, Class of 2025), our 2023 winner of the Brian Wong Dose Draw Competition!

Although we weren’t there to photograph Alfred in action, Alfred had the fastest time with accurate dose volumes dispensed – well done!

The Brian Wong Dose Draw Competition is an annual competition to select the Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging Technology (NMMIT) student who can draw aseptically and safely three different doses with the correct amounts requested in the least amount of time.

Withdrawing a radioactive dose for a patient is a skill that needs to be mastered by any nuclear medicine student. Dispensing these types of doses in a syringe, requires a few calculations in order to inject a patient with the correct amount and volume of radioactivity, which is then assayed in a dose calibrator, inspected and measured in Bequerels. Students need to use lead pots and lead shielded syringes to protect themselves and others around them from exposure to radiation, which makes the task a bit more challenging. The dose draw is a fun activity for all. The winner has their name added to Dose Draw Award and, of course, gets bragging rights for the remainder of the year.

Today we celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day!

As we celebrate and reflect, we take this opportunity to highlight some resources available to our U of T community:

Indigenous Student Services/First Nations House
https://studentlife.utoronto.ca/department/first-nations-house/

Indigenous Centre at UTM
https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/indigenous-centre/

Indigenous Initiatives at UTSC
https://edio.utsc.utoronto.ca/indigenous-initiatives/about-us

For more information, including links to U of T articles, updates and EDI training opportunities see:
https://people.utoronto.ca/news/recognizing-national-indigenous-history-month-and-national-indigenous-peoples-day-2023/

🌈 is an important time for medical professionals and health care at , with many faculty members, students, and patients identifying as 2SLGTBQIA+.

Jordan Goodridge and Gianni R. Lorello speak about their education work in 2SLGTBQIA+ health➡️ uoft.me/9kd

Take Pride, Take Action: Q&A with Jordan Goodridge & Gianni R. Lorello Lecturer Jordan Goodridge and Professor Gianni R. Lorello speak about Pride and their education work in 2SLGTBQIA+ health, hoping to spark creative ways for Temerty Medicine community members to take action in their own practice.

Congratulations to the MRS Class of 2023!

On June 1, the MRS Class of 2023 received their credentials at U of T’s 2023 Convocation Ceremony for graduates of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine.

We congratulate each of you on your hard work and achievements and recognize those who received awards at the MRS Pre-Convocation Reception. Congratulations to you all!

Photo: Kieng Tan, Associate Director, Medical Radiation Sciences Program, presents Kayli Chen (Radiation Therapy) with the “Award for Excellence in Research Methods”.

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HIGHEST ACADEMIC STANDING

Gold Medal
Alessandra Almeida Alcantara, (Nuclear Medicine)
Makenzie Erin Shook, (Radiation Therapy

Silver Medal
Shifana Constantine, (Nuclear Medicine)

Bronze Medal
HyunJun Park, (Radiological Technology)

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RESEARCH AWARD
Award for Excellence in Research Methods
Kayli Chen (Radiation Therapy)

Honourable Mention in Research Methods
Kori Kilgar (Radiation Therapy)

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RESEARCH IN PRACTICE AWARDS
Award of Excellence in Radiological Technology
Jennah Rixon

Honourable Mention in Radiological Technology
Matthew Raffaele Commisso

Award of Excellence in Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging Technology
Victoria Parisi

Honourable Mention in Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging Technology
Shaharyar Khuhro

Award of Excellence in Radiation Therapy
Makenzie Erin Shook

Honourable Mention in Radiation Therapy
Ethan Perkins

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VOLUNTEER AWARDS

Shifana Constantine
Benedict Mercado
Rabina Parhar
Mimi Tran
Shu Wang
Nita Xavier
Tsering Yangzom

The MRS Application Deadline is February 1!

If you’re interested in Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Therapy or Radiological Technology and you’re ready to take your first step towards a rewarding career as a Medical Radiation Technologist (MRT) be sure to apply by the February 1 Application Deadline.

We admit students just once a year with studies beginning in September.

You can learn more about our admission requirements at https://radonc.utoronto.ca/application-requirements-deadlines-and-procedures-mrs

The Art Issue (Winter 2023 edition) of UofTMed Magazine, which explores the interplay between the arts, science and medicine, is now available!

UofTMed magazine | The Art Issue In this issue, we explore the interplay between the arts and science and medicine to shape how we learn.

Ready to learn more about what MRTs do?

Attend our upcoming sessions to meet MRTs (Medical Radiation Technologists) and current students! During these live one-hour online sessions, our panelists will discuss the roles of Nuclear Medicine Technologists, Radiation Therapists and Radiological Technologists, describe a typical day, and share their experiences in the profession/program.

To register for this and other upcoming sessions, visit:
https://uoft.me/meetmrt

Wondering what it’s like to study Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Therapy or Radiological Technology with us? Ask our students!

Join us online on Wednesday, November 16 from 7-8pm as current Medical Radiation Sciences (MRS) students answer your questions live. For more information, and to register, visit https://radonc.utoronto.ca/informational-events

See you online!

As we celebrate MRT Week, UHN checks in with Chrystal Lucero (Nuclear Medicine - MRS Class of 2022). We love seeing our grads in action - thank you Chrystal!

Read the article at:
https://www.uhn.ca/corporate/News/Pages/Medical_radiation_technologists_much_more_than_meets_the_eye.aspx

Happy MRT Week!

MRT Week is an annual celebration of the essential role that medical radiation technologists (MRTs) play in the healthcare system. MRTs deliver professional imaging and radiation-related treatment services with a caring touch, allowing patients to fully benefit from the latest in medical diagnostic and treatment technology.

MRT Week 2022 continues until November 12th.

Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists | MRT Week MRT Week is an annual celebration (which falls on the week of November 8th every year) of the essential role that medical radiation technologists (MRTs) play in the healthcare system. MRTs deliver professional imaging and radiation-related treatment services with a caring touch, allowing patients to...