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In exchange for receiving an educational scholarship, 25 Boston-area radiology technologists-in-training have promised to work for one to two years at a Partners health care facility once they have completed their education. This agreement is the essence of the Partners HealthCare Medical Imaging Technology Scholarship program, which was formally announced by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino on March 8 in BWH’s Carrie Hall Conference Room.
At the announcement, the first of 50 recipients of this new scholarship program were introduced. They were joined by representatives from Partners Radiology, Human Resources and Community Benefit Departments: the Boston Private Industry Council; and the Boston Public Health Commission, which have all collaborated to bring to reality this initiative designed to tackle the radiology technologist labor shortage and to encourage more Boston-area residents, Partners employees and displaced workers to consider a career in medical imaging technology.
“I’m awed to be here today to make an announcement about building a workforce for the future of health care,” said BWH President Gary Gottlieb, MD, MBA as he opened the remarks for the event.
According to Steven Seltzer, MD, chair of Radiology at BWH, hospitals in the Partners HealthCare network typically have an average of 70 job openings for radiology and other imaging technologists. “We hope this scholarship and employment initiative will energize young people and those who are thinking about switching careers to consider this rapidly growing field. We need their energy, talent and compassion,” said Seltzer.
According to James Thrall, MD, chairman of Radiology at MGH, Radiology is the fastest growing field in health care and it is the “guiding hand of medical practice.” He added that ten years ago, the number of radiology technologists who graduated from Massachusetts’ colleges and universities totaled more than 250; and now, despite a growing need for such professionals, the number has plummeted and barely reached 100 in 2001. Thrall provided an example of the need for radiology technologists—“In order for hospitals to get complete utilization out of a new CT scanner, six to eight technologists are required,” he said.
Mayor Menino praised Partners for its leadership. “Partnerships like the one we celebrate today are part of our economic recovery,” he said before he congratulated the scholarship recipients and encouraged them on their career potential.
For more information on the Partners Medical Imaging Scholarship program, contact MJ Ryan at 617-243-6065 or via email (mjryan@partners.org).