ASRT Announces Writing Award Recipients (edited version of published article at asrt.org May 20, 2010)

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists announced the 2009-2010 winners of the Jean I. Widger Distinguished Author Award, honoring the best peer-reviewed articles published in the ASRT journals during the past year.

Nina Kowalczyk, Ph.D., R.T.(R)(QM)(CT), FASRT, and Elizabeth Comer, B.S., R.T.(R), are the winners of the Widger award for their article "Exposure Indicator Degradation From CR Plate Processing Delays," which appeared in the May/June 2009 issue of Radiologic Technology.

Dr. Kowalczyk is a faculty member in the radiologic sciences and therapy division of The Ohio State University School of Allied Medical Professions in Columbus, Ohio, and vice chairman of the Radiologic Technology Editorial Review Board. Ms. Comer is a radiographer at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus and a graduate of The Ohio State University School of Allied Medical Professions.

Their study examined exposure indicator degradation during the delay between exposure and processing of the image receptor. They found that much of the degradation occurs within the first hour after exposure, leading them to stress “the need for radiographers to be cognizant of processing time delays in a clinical setting and make an effort to limit the delay between imaging plate exposure and processing.”

The Widger award is named after longtime Radiologic Technology editor Jean I. Widger. The award is presented annually to the author or authors of the best peer-reviewed article published in Radiologic Technology. The winning article was selected by panels of judges composed of ERB members.The award was presented June 26 at the 2010 ASRT Annual Governance and House of Delegates meeting in Albuquerque.

Once again, Ohio makes its mark! Congratulations to Dr. Kowalczyk and Ms. Comer! We are proud of your works!