NEWS ARCHIVE

October 2005

Raleigh Radiology's Own Survivor Story

X-ray technologist Peggy Canevari of Raleigh saw the films when they came out of the processor and hoped it was nothing. “It was small, so you think, we’ll just put it through.” Let the radiologist have a look. Then the radiologist said, “We need more pictures.” And after those X-rays, the radiologist said, “You need to see a surgeon.”

That was how Peggy, then 51, found out that she had breast cancer. Today, at 54, she is a three-year cancer survivor and a walking advertisement for having annual mammography. 

As a career radiologic technologist of more than 30 years, 11 of them at Raleigh Radiology, Peggy had encouraged thousands of women to have mammograms. Is it more harm than good, in terms of radiation exposure, some women wondered. Others dreaded mammograms because they had heard that compressing the breast to get suitable pictures hurt quite a lot. “Mammography feels different to everybody,” Peggy countered.  “A lot of people don’t feel it hurts at all.” A number of women, too, felt that mammograms simply weren’t necessary because there was no breast cancer in their families.

That was true for Peggy. “There was no cancer in my family, let alone breast cancer. I never felt at risk,” she said. “But if breast cancer picks you, it picks you.”

Nevertheless, because of her training—she is certified as a radiographer, mammographer and CT (computed tomography) technologist—Peggy had had annual mammograms since she was 35. She had begun to get them while working at Broward General Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she and her husband were raising a son and a daughter. When the family moved to Raleigh in 1994, Peggy found employment at Raleigh Radiology’s Blue Ridge office. And she continued her annual mammograms, along with many colleagues at the practice. The American Cancer Society’s website, www.cancer.org, recommends yearly mammograms from age 40 onward while a woman is in good health.

But on this annual mammogram—it was April 15, 2002—Peggy’s film showed a tumor a little less than a centimeter in size in her left breast. “It was too small for me to feel yet,” she recalled. “Since it was found at an early stage, I was able to have a lumpectomy and radiation therapy. Had I waited, who knows?”

“I learned one thing about myself: My first reaction was: My God, what about my husband and children? I thought, I can deal with this, but it just broke my heart to think of my family. I had lost both parents at an early age. My son was in school at the time and my daughter was just a newlywed. It was a rough time.”

After surgery, Peggy’s office re-arranged her work schedule, and she was able to go to work, go for radiation therapy and then go home. On August 1, 2002, Peggy finished seven weeks of radiation. She had never missed a single day of work  because of the radiation treatments.

“I want to give back by educating patients. To send the message home, I share my story with many of them. I like first-time patients, helping make sure they understand, when they walk out that door, that they need to come back every year.

“I love to X-ray people who have had lumpectomies and mastectomies, because we know what it’s like. We can talk about feelings, what a shock it was, how scared we were. Your mortality hits you in the face. Then, to have your life given back, I can’t tell you what that feels like.”

In her years in practice, Peggy has seen mammography make great strides. Among the latest, most promising advances is digital mammography, which Raleigh Radiology will soon offer as the practice continues to lead the area in advanced technologies. With digital mammography, the images are computerized. Digital mammography can improve diagnostic accuracy, particularly in women with dense breast tissue. Another advantage is the need for fewer total x-ray exposures.  Also, with digital imaging, the technologist can check each view for quality before going ahead to the next image. In the past, many women have endured long waits for more images because the first film wasn’t clear.

“Peggy Canevari always has been such an asset to this office. Now she is turning a very challenging life experience into a way to help others,” says Dr. Julie Taber. “As a breast cancer survivor, Peggy can reassure patients in a way that  no one else can. Everyone here admires her, not only for the strength she exhibited while going through her ordeal, but also for her ability to truly understand how many women patients feel.” 

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A good time, Peggy Canevari  believes, to remind women to get a mammogram. Moreover, many women may not realize that generally, a woman can choose the practice she prefers and can make her own appointment. For a screening mammogram, she does not need a physician’s written order, though she does need to have a physician to whom to send the results, Peggy explained. And that makes getting a mammogram only one phone call away.

September 2005

Raleigh Radiology Now Offers Digital Mammography—A New Ally in the Fight Against Breast Cancer—Just in Time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Two Lorad Selenia Full Field Digital Mammography systems have been added to the comprehensive diagnostic services dedicated to women and the early detection of breast cancer at Raleigh Radiology’s Blue Ridge facility that is relocating in the RexView building at 3200 Blue Ridge Road in mid October. The new Selenia system incorporates revolutionary imaging technology that provides incredibly sharp images. Raleigh Radiology is one the first installations incorporating this cutting edge technology in the state.

From the patient’s point of view, a digital mammogram is like traditional film screen mammography.  Both use x-rays to generate images of the breast. However, instead of using film to capture and record the image, a digital mammogram uses a special detector to capture and convert x-ray energy into digital data. The resulting digital images are immediately available to the radiologist for diagnosis.

“The technology is remarkable because the radiologist can then view and manipulate the images on high-resolution computer monitors that enhance visualization of the structures within the breast tissue.  The radiologist can also adjust brightness and contrast, and zoom in on specific areas to help detect small calcifications, masses, and other changes that may be signs of early cancer,” commented Dr. Don Detweiler, president of Raleigh Radiology. “This remarkable technology assures that we can provide the best possible care and diagnosis to women.”

Digital mammography offers a number of other practical advantages and patient conveniences. Because there is no waiting for film to be developed it can significantly reduce the time patients spend in the doctor’s office, as well as reduce the need for repeat exams due to under or over exposure.  Digital images are easily stored and transferred electronically, eliminating the dependency on one set of original films, which can be misfiled or lost in transit.  

Digital mammography has recently been shown to be superior to traditional film screen mammography in young patients and in women with dense breast tissue.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women, exceeded only by lung cancer.  Statistics demonstrate that one in 8 women will develop breast cancer sometime in her life. The stage at which breast cancer is detected influences a woman’s survival. If detected early, the five-year survival rate is 97%. 

Breast Cancer is close to the hearts of the Raleigh Radiology staff. One of their long term mammography technologists, Peggy Canevari, is a Breast Cancer Survivor.  For years Peggy had faithfully gone for her annual screening mammogram with no problems. In April 2002, things changed for Peggy. Her mammogram showed a small mass that turned out to be a cancerous tumor. Because it was diagnosed at it’s earliest stages before it grew large enough to feel, surgeons were able to intervene with a lumpectomy and radiation therapy and give Peggy a wonderful prognosis. Peggy concentrates her radiological skills on mammography now as an educator and patient advocate.

Raleigh Radiology is committed to the fight against breast cancer. Digital mammography will be available at their Blue Ridge facility in mid-October with future plans to install it at their Raleigh Radiology Cedarhurst location near the intersection of Millbrook Road and Falls of the Neuse in North Raleigh and the Raleigh Radiology Breast Center located at the intersection of Computer Drive and Six Forks Road.  If you would like to schedule a mammogram or have questions about this important breast health procedure, please contact Raleigh Radiology Blue Ridge at 781-1437.

http://www.wral.com/video/5198714/detail.html

http://www.wral.com/news/4981747/detail.html

http://www.newsobserver.com/print/saturday/front/story/2797719p-9238830c.html

http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/NEJMoa052911

July 2005

Four New Physicians Join Raleigh Radiology

In the continuing expansion of its practice, Raleigh Radiology welcomes four physicians to the group in July. They are Dr. Steven Carter, Dr. Satish Mathan and Drs. Martha and Paul Wasserman.

From his early school days, Dr. Steven Carter wanted to become a physician, but his interests extended beyond science. As an undergraduate at UVA, he studied American government and Constitutional law. While that major surprised his advisor, as it turned out, public policy, government and medicine now converge in numbers of ways, among them the many debates concerning medical ethics and the pursuit of a solution that will provide healthcare for all Americans. Dr. Carter will practice diagnostic radiology at all locations of Raleigh Radiology.

He chose radiology as his specialty because of the depth and breadth of knowledge that one must have in both medicine and the highly advanced technology radiology now utilizes. On the technology front, “networking and broadband advances have done wonders for disseminating radiological images, increasing the knowledge base of clinicians in a much faster way, so that we [radiologists] can have a much more primary impact on the patient.”

“There is the stereotype of the radiologist as someone in a dark room without patient contact. My experience is nothing but the opposite of that. I find almost half of my time is dealing with patients directly. Many may not know the intricacies and the details of what goes on, so naturally fear is generated from the lack of knowledge. It’s my job to answer their questions and to really put their minds at ease.”

Dr. Carter and his wife, Nicole, have a son, Ethan, 20 months, and a newborn daughter, Laurel. Among his hobbies are golf and restoring a 1972 Datsun like the one he had in high school.

Joining Raleigh Radiology and working at Rex Hospital represents coming full circle for Dr. Satish Mathan: he was born at Rex. At the time, his parents had come to Raleigh from their native India, and his father was studying for his master's degree in engineering at NC State. The family soon moved, and during his childhood, Dr. Mathan lived in Dallas, Texas, in Michigan and also in India, where he attended boarding school. Ultimately, he received a B.S. degree in microbiology from the University of California at Santa Barbara and a doctor of medicine from the Medical College of Wisconsin. He returned to the Tar Heel state to begin training in diagnostic radiology at UNC Hospitals, where he also served as the chief resident. He also completed a fellowship in vascular and interventional radiology at UNC.

Dr. Mathan became interested in radiology as a medical student, when he saw an interventional radiologist perform a procedure on one of his patients. "I was so impressed by the application of the technology," he recalls. "There are so many new and advancing applications that are available now, when once, traditionally, all that was available was surgery. Now we have many diseases that we can treat with very minimally invasive procedures that require short hospital stays or none at all. So we can get people back to work, back to their families, back to life, without the long one or two weeks in the hospital. It's nice to apply that to help people.

"Certainly, with new technology, you can see more. And also, the catheter systems are smaller, so you are able to do more. These new types of equipment allow you to go directly to the area that needs to be treated."

As for choosing Raleigh Radiology, Dr. Mathan says, "I was impressed there was such a large group of knowledgeable people who worked so well together and were fundamentally just good people. I'm fortunate to become a part of that effort." Dr. Satish Mathan will practice diagnostic and interventional radiology at Raleigh Radiology at Rex Hospital.

Dr. Mathan and his wife, Kim, have a son, Gavin, 26 months. Dr. Mathan's interests include travel, golf and Carolina basketball.

Dr. Martha "Marte" Wasserman grew up in Clinton, Mississippi. She received her bachelor's degree in biology from Mississippi College and worked summers in a pathology lab at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, in Jackson, where she met her husband and later received her M.D. She completed her residency in diagnostic radiology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and a fellowship in nuclear medicine at Wake Forest Medical Center in Winston-Salem.

Dr. Wasserman's specializiation in radiology combines the 'sleuthing of a detective with the ability to diagnose medical conditions' that often are not suspected. "It's very appealing to me. I've loved radiology since I chose to study it," she says. She is looking forward to the variety of services offered by practicing general radiology and nuclear medicine at Raleigh Radiology at Rex Hospital.

Dr. Paul Wasserman grew up in Maryland before his family moved to Mississippi, where he graduated from Mississippi State University with a B.S. in microbiology. He then attended medical school at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences and completed his internship at Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh as well as his residency in diagnostic radiology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center where he was chief resident. He later moved to Winston-Salem and completed his fellowship in musculoskeletal radiology at Wake Forest Medical Center.

For Dr. Paul Wasserman, radiology represents an opportunity to stay on the leading edge of technology as well as medicine. “Many times, the radiologist is the first person to make the diagnosis. The radiologist is given a symptom and you have to put that together with an analysis. I really enjoy that,” he says. His interest in musculoskeletal radiology extends to using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in orthopedics and sports medicine, with a special interest in image-guided spine intervention for pain management. “Radiology is a cooperative effort,” Dr. Wasserman observes. “You’re the consultant to the clinician.” That involvement, he indicates, is one of the most compelling aspects of this specialty.

Dr. Paul Wasserman will practice both general and musculoskeletal radiology at Raleigh Radiology and also looks forward to working with his wife Martha at the practice. In their spare time, the Wassermans enjoy traveling and hiking together.

January 2005

Raleigh Radiology welcomes Dr. Todd J. Roth as the newest member of the practice.

Just as 2005 opens, Raleigh Radiology welcomes Dr. Todd J. Roth as the newest member of the practice, bringing to 18 the number of physicians in the group. Dr. Roth will practice general radiology, with a concentration in abdominal imaging. Dr. Roth comes to Raleigh from Austin, Texas. He has previous ties to the Old North State through Baptist Medical Center at Wake Forest University. In addition, his wife, Lara, a speech therapist, hails from Charlotte.

Dr. Roth brings an unusual background to the practice. The Kansas native grew up in Houston and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in engineering. Deciding to take some time off before heading to medical school, Dr. Roth worked two years as a chemical engineer for Hoechst-Celanese, among the nation’s largest manufacturers of ibuprofen. Then he entered medical school at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio, graduating in 1997. From San Antonio, Roth came to Winston-Salem, NC, for his residency and a fellowship in abdominal imaging at Wake Forest University’s Baptist Health Center. In 2003, he joined Austin Radiological Association in the Texas capital city.

While some medical students have no trouble choosing a specialty, Dr. Roth says he found the decision hard because “I liked everything. I liked pathology, surgery, internal medicine, and so on.” Ultimately, radiology drew him, “because it is involved in all aspects of medicine. It wasn’t just one specialty. It dealt with surgeons, it dealt with pathology” and many other aspects of medicine. Radiology also brought diversity in the kinds of patients he would see. “You’re not dealing with just one organ system. You’re doing diagnostic studies that interpret and are involved in all aspects of medicine. You’re reading MRIs, dealing with brain pathology, dealing with chest x-rays, broken bone injuries” and other conditions, he observes.

Dr. Roth’s choice of specialty brings to bear many attributes shared with engineering: an ability to consider different points of view, a highly developed attention to detail and the habit of closely focusing on solutions to the specific problem or question at hand. For him, the most rewarding aspects of radiology are “the whole process of taking care of patients. Radiologists are involved at the very beginning. We’re called upon to come up with a diagnosis. This can be very gratifying, to help the team doctors come up with a diagnosis they can treat and to know that now, the patients can be treated.”

He continues, “One of the other gratifying experiences is when you get feedback from the patient that you really helped him or her. You may get a call from a woman saying that you helped diagnose her breast cancer very early, and she is very thankful for that. Helping arrive at this diagnosis, help getting that answer is a wonderful experience.”

Dr. Roth chose Raleigh Radiology not only for its North Carolina location, but also because of the wide-ranging expertise of the practice plus its reputation for outstanding medicine and an especially collegial working environment. “I’m proud to join a practice with such a legacy of leadership in medicine and patient services,” Dr. Roth says. “This is a practice that provides leading-edge medicine without losing that most important element: human compassion.”

In his spare time, Dr. Roth enjoys outdoor pursuits, including fly-fishing, mountain biking and windsurfing.

The 18 physicians of Raleigh Radiology represent the most experienced radiology practice in the region, offering a greater complement of subspecialities than any other practice. Since its beginnings in the 1950s, the practice has provided the full-complement of radiology services to Rex Healthcare, the region’s premier hospital facility. Raleigh Radiology offers services at four centers conveniently located throughout Raleigh, at 2605 Blue Ridge Road, 3700 Computer Drive, 1212 Cedarhurst Drive and 4420 Lake Boone Trail. To contact Dr. Roth, call 919-784-3211 or email him at todd.roth@raleighrad.com or visit www.raleighrad.com.

National Radiologic Technology Week runs from Nov 2–8

Raleigh Radiology appreciates our Radiologic Technologists every day, but we salute them for National Radiologic Technology Week!

National Radiologic Technology Week celebrates the hard work and important contribution medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals make in patient care. Through their dedication and professionalism, radiologic technologists create the perfect image in health care.

National Radiologic Technology Week was created and trademarked by ASRT in 1979 to highlight the achievements of medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals.

http://www.asrt.org/content/eventsandconferences/nrtw.aspx

Raleigh Radiology Sponsors Rex Classic Pro-Am again

We’re proud to continue our sponsorship of the Rex Classic again this year supporting the main focus this year on breast and prostate cancer education, awareness and detection programs. This event continues to be a wonderful way for us to give back to the community realizing that the funds we raise benefit our friends, families and neighbors as well as giving some of us a day of great golf!

To sign up to play in the golf tournament or to attend the Gala on October 8 at North Ridge County Club, please visit their Web site. We look forward to seeing you at our Raleigh Radiology Sponsored Hole!

http://www.rexclassic.com/events.html

Remembering our own Superwoman

Amy Jo Bell
September 6, 1968 - June 26, 2004

Raleigh Radiology grieves the loss of Amy Jo Bell, a very special person and wonderful technologist at our Cedarhurst office. Amy brought such a positive energy and enthusiasm for work. Her positive attitude was infectious, bringing smiles to patients and co-workers alike. She was the office poet, jokester and event planner. There was no occasion too small for Amy to embrace. From birthdays, Halloween, Christmas to the Southern Women's Show, Amy left her mark. Her many practical jokes played on staff and radiologists will always make us laugh. She was truly our Superwoman. Amy cherished her family life. She leaves behind her husband, Steve and 4 year old son, Zachary to carry on her zest for life. Amy, who had a passion for Rod Stewart, will be forever loved, forever missed and forever young. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Zachary Murray Bell Trust Fund, c/o American National Bank, PO Box 191, Danville, VA 24543.

Cedarhurst gets new facelift and expanded services

Raleigh Radiology Cedarhurst is in the throes of construction. A renovation for the office, which had been in the planning for months, is now underway and scheduled for completion in late August. The office is open and in full swing and the employees are juggling the space so that patient care is not compromised. "We're so excited about this major renovation" beams managing technologist, Susan Hawkins. "We'll now have more room for ultrasound, mammography and we're getting a new multi-detector CT, which will share a private waiting room with MR. The extra space is wonderful, but a fresh new look on the whole facility is what our patients are most excited about!"

Not only is the beautiful new space a bonus for patients and staff, but also extended hours and new services will please our referring doctors. We'll add MR to 6 days per week (8AM to 10PM) and continue our extended hours for CT, ultrasound and women's services.

Medical Director, Dr. Kent Davis and Susan Hawkins look forward to inviting referring physicians and their staff to the Cedarhurst grand opening party to tour the new facility in early September. Keep an eye out for your invitation.

Recently, the staff took a short break from their patient services and grabbed some of the workmen's tools to pose for our cameraman.

June 2004

Welcome Dr. John “Jay” G. Alley Jr.

Raleigh Radiology is pleased to welcome Dr. John “Jay” G. Alley Jr. as the newest member of our team. Dr. Alley practices neuroradiology and general diagnostic radiology. He joins us after completing his fellowship in neuroradiology at University of North Carolina Hospitals.

Coming to Raleigh Radiology is a homecoming of sorts for “Jay” Alley, who worked with Raleigh Radiology during his residency. He’ll also be among friends at Rex Hospital, where many of the Emergency Department staff were his contemporaries at the University of North Carolina. The Goldsboro native graduated from UNC. He completed the Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program at Columbia University in New York, then returned to North Carolina, receiving his medical degree from the UNC School of Medicine. This was followed by a residency in diagnostic radiology at UNC Hospitals, where he served as Co-Chief Resident. Dr. Alley will practice at Raleigh Radiology’s Blue Ridge and Cedarhurst offices as well as at Rex Hospital where he will be Medical Director of Neuroimaging.

Dr. Alley brings to Raleigh Radiology not only a superb level of expertise and state-of-the-art skills, but also a focus on the patient as an individual, with his or her unique concerns and needs. “I enjoy interacting with both patients and physicians, and I like the role of radiologist as a consultant who is such an integral part of patient care,” Dr. Alley says.

“Neuroradiology is my chosen subspecialty because of its complexity,” he continues. “Even though there still is so much that is unknown about the brain, more and more secrets are being revealed, often as a result of imaging. With MRI and CT, neuroradiology is on the cutting edge of new technologies and techniques.”

Radiology, Dr. Alley notes, “allows me to use my natural sense of observation. I love museums, and I loved art history in college. Since I’m also task-driven, radiology fits my personality perfectly.”

“I am honored to have the opportunity to join this very special group of people at Raleigh Radiology. They are an extremely intelligent, dynamic, and patient-oriented group.”

Dr. Alley is married to Sandra Good Alley, a staff attorney in the North Carolina Legislative Assembly. The couple, who live in Durham, have two boxers, a cat and a horse. Dr. Alley enjoys traveling, running, and rooting for the Tar Heels at every opportunity.

Frannie Joseph joins team

Raleigh Radiology Blue Ridge and Raleigh Radiology Breast Center have a new face around their offices. Frances D. Joseph has been named the new administrative manager of both locations and will coordinate staffing, operations and patient care. “Frannie,” as she prefers to be called, hails from an impressive management background, most recently as VP of Healthcare Consulting at Preston Health Care, where she provided interim management and consultation services to healthcare facilities, including radiology practices and hospitals. She worked extensively in areas of policy and procedure development, SOP manual development, RIS/PACS training and staff development.

Prior to working at Preston, Frannie was the administrative director of radiology services at WakeMed for more than five years and was responsible for overall operations of the radiology department including diagnostic, CT, MR, nuclear medicine, angiography, ultrasound and off-campus imaging services.

In her new position at Raleigh Radiology, Frannie will take responsibility for the operations, structure and staff development of the two offices located in west Raleigh and north Raleigh. Her extensive background in radiology management and operations will be an asset as the office continues not only to grow and offer the latest in radiology services to their current base, but also to add new services to the practice. “I’m really excited about working with the physician group at Raleigh Radiology. This practice has been the gold standard in Raleigh for so long, and now I’m honored to have an opportunity to work with them and expand the practice even more. The offices and staff have great energy here, and we’ve got a big year coming up with everything that’s happening in the world of radiology.”

Dr. Don Detweiler, Medical Director of Raleigh Radiology Blue Ridge, is impressed with the way that Joseph has acclimated herself into their company so easily. “She’s only been here two weeks, but already she’s made some good structural and positive changes in the office procedures that will benefit our patients. She’s excited about staff development, which we know will translate into excellent patient care.”

One of Frannie’s upcoming endeavors will be to implement a new RIS/PACS system-wide program for the radiology group. The PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) will allow patients’ physicians to view both their radiological images and their reports from an online system. Communication with the referring offices will be enhanced, and patient information will be archived for years. “I’ve set up PACS in several offices, and it’s going to be a great time-saver for both our physicians and others.” The PACS will be available beginning April 15.

Susan Hawkins, administrative manager of Raleigh Radiology Cedarhurst, will work along with Frannie to make sure their offices and staff offer the continuity of services and the level of excellence that has made them leaders in the area. Hawkins opened the large Cedarhurst office in north Raleigh just one year ago and has seen growth to near capacity in that amount of time. “We’ve had a great year, and we’re all excited about Frannie joining our team and giving our patients the consistency they deserve between offices. No matter which Raleigh Radiology office you choose, you’re going to get the absolute best patient care in the area.”

Both Joseph and Hawkins mean business. And that translates into good patient care for the Raleigh area where they’ve got you covered at three different locations.[inset photo of Frannie Joseph]Frannie Joseph looks forward to helping you with your questions about Raleigh Radiology Blue Ridge or Breast Center. You may contact her directly at 919-781-9729x224 or at frannie.joseph@raleighrad.com.

Shanna Tatum is a 2nd year student in the Radiography Program at Wake Technical Community College. She is currently doing her clinical experience rotation at Rex Hospital. She is a dedicated student who drives from Roxboro, a 6o mile distance, each day to school. She is a graduate of Roxboro High School. She has attended Piedmont Community College in Roxboro where she was in the Biotechnology Program. She states that she was in that program because she loves science and research. She transferred to Wake Tech. to study in the Radiography Program.

She currently has a 3.448 GPA. She went into the Radiography Program because of contact with a registered radiologic technologist who suggested that she try radiography as a career. She states that her favorite part of being in radiography is the opportunity to meet new people and to take care of patients. Her future plans are to work in diagnostic radiology and then pursue formal training in one of the specialty areas.

This year the Raleigh Radiology Scholarship Awards honors Evelyn Danielson. Evelyn began her long, successful career with Raleigh Radiology on October 25, 1985. She was the first full-time courier, taking films and reports to medical offices. As her responsibilities grew, she continued to provide excellent courier service to the medical offices she visited. She has been regarded by the doctors of Raleigh Radiology, her co-workers and those in the medical community of Raleigh as efficient, courteous, respectful and cheerful. Evelyn died after a long illness in September 2003.

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

During 2003 an estimated 211,300 new cases of breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the United States. NBCAM and Raleigh Radiology encourage all women to recognize the importance of early detection by participating in National Mammography Day on October 17, 2003.

In celebration of this important event, Raleigh Radiology will be offering free screening mammograms at our Raleigh Radiology Breast Center and Raleigh Radiology Cedarhurst locations. These free exams will be available on October 17 to women over 35 years old who have no breast symptoms (no lumps, localized breast pain, or discharge). This may be just the incentive some women need to get a screening mammogram—a choice that may save their lives.

For details and scheduling for our free breast exams on October 17, call us at 919.787.8815 (RR Breast Center) or at 919.877.5400 (RR Cedarhurst) and inquire about the National Mammography Day Special.

For more information about National Breast Cancer Awareness Month please visit visit www.nbcam.org.

THE 2003 NOBEL PRIZE IN PHYSIOLOGY OR MEDICINE

The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet awards The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for 2003 jointly to Paul C. Lauterbur and Peter Mansfield for their discoveries concerning "magnetic resonance imaging".

Imaging of human internal organs with exact and non-invasive methods is very important for medical diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. This year's Nobel Laureates in Physiology or Medicine have made seminal discoveries concerning the use of magnetic resonance to visualize different structures.

These discoveries have led to the development of modern magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, which represents a breakthrough in medical diagnostics and research. More about this story at www.nobel.se.

SEEING A CLEAR NEED

From The News & Observer, Sunday October 5, 2003

Don Harrington was still in school studying radiologic technology, but he had learned enough to know that the woman shooting his X-ray at the podiatrist's office was taking risks.

After he demanded that she provide him a protective lead shield—she didn't think it was necessary -- he was shocked to see that she wore no safeguards as she leaned within inches of his foot and shot X-ray after X-ray.

"I asked her, 'How many of these do you do a day?' And she said, 'I do them all day,' " said Harrington, who has since graduated and is now working at WakeMed. "She could have easily gotten cancer or something."

The woman, it turned out, was studying to be a veterinarian and had no formal training to take X-rays.

North Carolina is one of 17 states that does not require its radiologic technologists to be licensed. Advocates for licensure say the regulatory void creates problems for patients, for the untrained people performing the procedures and for the doctors who rely on clear images to set broken bones, diagnose lung cancers or find stomach ulcers. More about this story at www.newsobserver.com.

RALEIGH RADIOLOGY WELCOMES NEW PHYSICIAN, DR. LAURA O. THOMAS

Our latest addition to our team of highly skilled radiologists is happy that she has returned to North Carolina where she received her initial training in women’s health as well as in abdominal and oncologic imaging. Even more than that, she’s most excited about being reunited with many of the colleagues who she trained and worked with in the Triangle area.

In coming to Raleigh, Dr. Thomas isn’t far from “home.” A graduate of Princeton University, she received her medical degree from Duke University School of Medicine. She did her internship at the University of North Carolina Hospitals, and her radiology residency at Duke, where she was Chief Resident. Her fellowship in Breast and Abdominal Imaging was also at Duke. For seven years, Dr. Thomas worked at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, where she was in practice with Dallas Radiologists, PA. Board certified in diagnostic radiology, with fellowship training in Women’s Imaging, Dr. Thomas’s areas of expertise include mammography, breast biopsy, breast MR, as well as abdominal and pelvic imaging. She will practice at Raleigh Radiology’s private offices as well as at Rex Hospital.

“One of the primary reasons I chose this field of radiology is because it allows me to have a great impact on people's lives,” Dr. Thomas says. “I enjoy being a part of a very dynamic part of health care.”

What’s most striking about Dr. Thomas is her vitality. Her strong sense of purpose is tempered by an easy-going style that readily engages colleagues and patients alike.

She particularly looks forward to the introduction this summer of the area’s first Positron Emission Tomography (PET) facility, which will be installed at Rex Hospital. While the body’s anatomy can be viewed with X-rays, CT scans or MRI, PET imaging allows radiologists to evaluate biological functioning.

“The potential for new insights is tremendous. Patient care will definitely improve. PET will quickly become the standard of care,” Dr. Thomas says. “I am excited about having the opportunity to work with the members of our PET team: Dr. Sabra McNeill, Dr. Greg Bortoff and Dr. Jerry Watson.”

Dr. Thomas is an avid fitness buff who enjoys swimming and running. She and her husband, John Middleton, MD, Clinical Division Chief of Nephrology at Duke University Medical Center, have two young children, 1-year-old daughter Claire, and their 3-year-old son, Ted. Even with all this activity in her life, she still manages to find time for cooking and gardening, which she truly enjoys.

“After work, I can’t wait to get home to my kids,” she says. “But I’m just as eager to get to my office, because I love working in healthcare. I’m especially excited to be working with a group that is progressive, combining cutting edge technology with a profound commitment to patient care.”

RALEIGH RADIOLOGY CEDARHURST ADDS SUNDAYS FOR YOUR PATIENT’S MRI CONVENIENCE

Dr. Kent Davis, Medical Director of Raleigh Radiology Cedarhurst and Susan P. Hawkins, Managing Technologist have once again added another reason for working with their new practice in North Raleigh. Extended hours on Sundays for their MRI unit have enabled patients with busy schedules or special needs to have custom-tailored MRI procedures performed on a weekend day. "We've had so many calls for extended hours to meet the demands of North Raleigh that we made a decision to begin work on Sundays in January" says Hawkins.

Currently, the office is open only for the MR schedule on Sundays taking appointments from 8 AM to 4:15 PM, but they may offer other services in the future. "We've had nothing but great compliments from our referring physicians about the new hours at Cedarhurst and how Susan and her staff have been able to work miracles for special needs patients. Sunday is a great day for MRs for patients that require more time or need special case consideration" says Dr. Davis.

Raleigh Radiology Cedarhurst offers other full-service outpatient radiology including Spiral CT, (including specialized scans for kidney stones and blood clots), Ultrasound, Mammography (including our new computer assisted detection (CAD) for mammography), Plain film, Fluoroscopy, and DEXA scans for osteoporosis screening.

Sunday MRI appointments
8 AM to 4:15 PM

Raleigh Radiology Cedarhurst
1212 Cedarhurst Drive
Raleigh, NC 27609
919-877-5400

RALEIGH RADIOLOGY ANNOUNCES A NEW MANAGING TECHNOLOGIST

Raleigh Radiology is proud to announce the appointment of Susan P. Hawkins as the managing technologist to oversee operations at our latest office in North Raleigh, Raleigh Radiology Cedarhurst.

Susan hails from a highly successful position as radiology clinical operations at WakeMed Hospital responsible for staffing US, MRI, nuclear medicine and CT departments of the trauma center. Her broad knowledge of radiology and her strong commitment to patient care and customer service make Susan another valuable member of our growing team.

We hope you'll join us in welcoming Susan to her new position and contact her directly with any questions or concerns regarding Raleigh Radiology Cedarhurst at 919-877-5405.

American College of Radiology
The American College of Radiology, with more than 30,000 members, is the principal organization... More