Written by Mary L. Ciervo, BS, LNMT, CNMT, RT(N), Supervisor of the Nuclear Medicine Department
For more than 25 years, I have had the privilege to work at North Suffolk Cardiology with nuclear medicine technology, a multifaceted area of health care. Here at North Suffolk Cardiology, the nuclear medicine technologist provides physicians with information via SPECT and/or PET cardiac imaging to diagnose and evaluate serious conditions and heart disease. The physician's main reason to order either a SPECT or PET scan is to determine whether the patient has obstructive or non-obstructive coronary atherosclerosis.
As a technologist in this field, we create essential diagnostic images. Our responsibilities include preparing and injecting radiopharmaceutical agents into patients, then capture images using a scanner or gamma camera alongside sophisticated computer programs. We provide this service to many patients with the utilization of our clinical team. Our clinical team that provides this service consists of physicians, advanced practice providers (APP), technologists, nurses, exercise physiologists, medical assistants and patient coordinators. Collectively, support to our patients by not only explaining what they should expect during their testing but throughout their procedure while in the nuclear department.
Ten years ago, we decided to celebrate Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Week with the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) and SNMMI-Technologist Section (TS). We joined forces with the nuclear medicine and molecular imaging community to gain recognition and support for the field. We celebrate during the first week of October.
Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Week allows our team and the entire community to take pride in their profession. It enables us to recognize our colleagues for their hard work while promoting nuclear medicine to everyone.
According to the SNMMI, the theme for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Week varies from year to year. Still, the goal is always the same: pride in what nuclear medicine and molecular imaging have brought to the healthcare environment over the years.
This year's theme is: "Transforming medicine. Improving lives."