HEALTHCARE 2014: American Health: Changing Your Image
Saturday, February 8, 2014
7:50 – 9:40am KEYNOTE: The Imaging Profession in Healthcare: Now, 2020 and Beyond (NI) - Brenda
J King, BS, CNMT, FSNMTS - President/Lead Consultant, BJ King & Associates, LLC, Carson, CA;
Immediate Past President of the Society of Nuclear Medicine Molecular Imaging Technologist Section.
DESCRIPTION: This presentation will examine the career of the imaging professional from an historical perspective as the industry transforms from an era of specialization to one of generalization. The discussion will highlight emergence of the “hybrid” imaging professional.
9:40 – 10:20am Break
10:20 – 11:10am Breakout Session A
GENERAL RADIOLOGY: Digital Imaging and the Bariatric Patient - Loren Sachs, RT – Allied
Health Program Director for Radiographic Department, Orange Coast College.
DESCRIPTION
After a brief overview of digital imaging, this presentation will examine the challenges of imaging the bariatric patient and how digital imaging techniques can be utilized to provide the best possible clinical images. Lastly, we will discuss the limitations of various digital methodologies and how to overcome them in the bariatric population.
GENERAL RADIOLOGY : What’s Hot in Neurointerventional Radiology - Jordan Ziegler, MD –
Neurointerventional Radiologist, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, San Diego
DESCRIPTION
During this presentation, the speaker will discuss the typical equipment utilized for the neurologically ill patient, review the different imaging protocols, and discuss the role of the diagnostic imaging team
(RN, Tech, CRNA). Various cases performed in Neurointerventional Radiology including aneurysms,
AVM, tumors embolization, etc., will be presented.
MAMMOGRAPHY: An Integrated Data Capture and Analysis Approach for Progress in Disease
Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Cancer - Mark Carrico, RN – RN Educator, Southern California
Permanente Medical Group, Woodland Hills.
DESCRIPTION
Informatics is able to play a critical role in assisting with efficiency, complex data capture, and analysis of large amounts of data for use in the treatment of breast cancer. The use of data in treatment of breast cancer has the potential to achieve gains in efficiency and accuracy with the use of informatics and analytics.
ULTRASOUND: Sonographic Evaluation of Placental Pathology - Jim Baun, BS, RDMS, RVT,
FSDMS - Senior Clinical & Development Sonographer, ZONARE Medical Systems.
DESCRIPTION
Overview of the most common types of placental pathology encountered during sonographic examination of the gravid uterus.

10:20 – 11:10am Breakout Session A --continued—
NUCLEAR MEDICINE: Pertinent Points on PET/CT: Past, Present, and Future (I) - Melissa
Mardiros, MD - Nuclear Medicine, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Panorama City.
DESCRIPTION
Overview of the past, present, and the future of PET/CT from the stand point of nuclear medicine professionals. We will look at the use of PET/CT for initial diagnosis, staging, follow up and surveillance of many common malignancies affecting millions of individuals. Pertinent technical points to achieve optimal quality images will also be shared. Finally, the new modality of PET/MRI will be introduced.
11:20 – 12:10pm Breakout Session B
GENERAL RADIOLOGY: Health Effects of Low Level Radiation - Keith C. Diehl B.S. RT (R),(MR),
CRT – MRI Technologist, Kaiser Permanente, Santa Rosa; Clinical Coordinator and Instructor of
Radiation Physics, Radiobiology and Radiation Protection, Radiologic Technology Program, Santa
Rosa Junior College.
DESCRIPTION
In this presentation attendees will learn about the short and long term effects of acute and chronic exposure to radiation, whether through nuclear accidents, nuclear warfare, background radiation or occupational exposure. It will also cover the biologic impact of radiation including the somatic and genetic effects, as well as radiation protection.
GENERAL RADIOLOGY: Taking the Mystery Out of Spinal Deformity - Phylli s D’Ambra, RN, MPA
- PCS Manager of Orthopedic/Neurosurgery, Children ’s Hospital of Los Angeles.
DESCRIPTION
The purpose of this presentation is to highlight the different types of spinal deformities and the impact on patients and families, as well as the technology available to treat them.
MAMMOGRAPHY & NUCLEAR MEDICINE: Clinical Breast Lymphoscintigraphy (I) -
Jon Umlauf, MD, MPH – Southern California Permanente Medical Group, San Diego.
DESCRIPTION
This presentation focuses on the role of lymphoscintigraphy in the diagnosis and care of patients with breast cancer. We will correlate lymphoscintigraphic and mammographic images and share strategies the technologist can use when performing lymphoscintigraphy.
ULTRASOUND: Looking Through the Keyhole: Clinical Applications of MSK US - Robert Nied,
MD - Assistant Physician in Chief, Specialty Care, Family Medicine and Sports Medicine, Kaiser
Permanente, Santa Rosa
DESCRIPTION
Ultrasound is a dynamic tool for the imaging and evaluation of soft tissue conditions. Compared to other cross- sectional modalities, the role of MSK ultrasound has great advantages and plays a significant diagnostic role in imaging. We will discuss case studies that benefit from using MSK ultrasound.
12:10 – 1:10pm Hosted Lunch

1:20 – 2:10pm Breakout Session C
GENERAL RADIOLOGY: MR Angiography Versus CT Angiography in Detecting Vascular
Abnormalities - Bonnie Van Maanen, RT (CT) (BS) (MBAHC) – Southern California Permanente
Medical Group, Irvine
DESCRIPTION:
MRA and CTA are performed to visualize the vessels and arteries to detect any abnormalities in a non invasive way. MRA and CTA provide excellent pre-procedural workup, which is implemented as a two-dimensional or a three dimensional (3D) acquisition. There are two angiogram methods, including
"catheter" angiograms and CTA or MRA. Successful MRA/CTA studies depend on the quality of contrast enhancement.
GENERAL RADIOLOGY: Radiology and The Joint Commission: A Persp ective on “De Facto”
Regulation - Robert McDermott, MS, DABR, CRT, CNMT - Regional Radiation Safety Officer,
Southern California Permanente Medical Group.
DESCRIPTION
As the regulatory burden on imaging departments increases, there is increasing oversight by accrediting agencies that can lead to overly burdensome demands and potential conflicts with State and Federal regulatory agencies.
MAMMOGRAPHY : Understanding the Dense Breast Tissue Senate Bill - Marcus Gerber, MD -
Southern California Permanente Medical Group, San Diego
DESCRIPTION
The passing of the Senate Bill regarding breast density notification has impacted our patients. It has also added additional responsibilities within our diagnostic imaging departments. Come learn what has changed and how the dense breast is evaluated. We will also explore supplemental imaging available to patients with dense breast tissue.
ULTRASOUND: The Power of Volume: Optimizing Your Volume Images - Shannon Redmon, BS,
RDMS, RVT - Women’s Health Education Program Manager, GE Healthcare.
DESCRIPTION
Using the power of Volume presentation, we can learn how to grab the diagnostic information that is needed with one quick easy sweep. We then manipulate the images to access the views we need to be successful. Volume imaging is more than just a pretty baby face – come hear how to make the power of Volume work for you.
NUCLEAR MEDICINE: A New Frontier in SPECT Technology: xSPECT (I) - Peggy C. Hawman,
PhD – SPECT and SPECT/CT specialist, Siemens Molecular Imaging.
DESCRIPTION
In this presentation, the attendee will gain insight into a new technology for Siemens SPECT imaging systems called x SPECT and the new Symbia Intevo platform. The three major components of this technology will be compared to conventional SPECT/CT. First, the physics and theory behind this technology; secondly, xSPECT Bone, which enables higher image contrast and more precise lesion characterization; finally, the xSPECT Quant, which can assist the physician in more confident clinical interpretation.

2:20 – 3:10pm Breakout Session D
GENERAL RADIOLOGY: Neuroradiology for the Technologist - Fernando Torres, MD -
Neuroradiologist and General Radiologist SCPMG, West Los Angeles
DESCRIPTION
The presentation will review the basics of neuroimaging in stroke and trauma patients, as well as key imaging features of life-threatening neuroimaging lesions.
GENERAL RADIOLOGY: Anterior Approach Total Hip Replacement: Indications, Techniques, and Possibilities: with a Special Emphasis on Intraoperative Imaging Modalities - Robert E.
Klenck, MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Good Samaritan Hospital, Los Angeles, CA., St. John’s Health
Center, Santa Monica, CA., Hip and Pelvis Institute, Santa Monica, CA., Healthcare Partners,
Pasadena, CA.
DESCRIPTION
The presentation will cover the diseases that lead to total hip replacement surgery, indications for such surgery, risks, benefits, and alternatives to the direct anterior approach. In addition, the imaging and surgical techniques involved, and some of the things that are possible after one undergoes such surgery will be explored.
MAMMOGRAPHY: Preparing for MQSA Inspection: “How can you find your favorite shoes, if you can’t find your closet?” - Hope Martinez, Sr. RPS, BSRT, MPH, Radiation Protection Specialist for Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Radiation Management.
DESCRIPTION
MQSA inspections can seem intimidating. Being organized and thorough can help both you and your organization be comfortable (like your favorite shoes) during inspections. Come learn what you can do to keep your books (your closet) neat and ready.
ULTRASOUND: Imaging the Larger Patient - Emma Anton, RDMS, RVT, adjunct faculty, Cypress
College
DESCRIPTION
This presentation will address the problems that can be encountered when imaging the larger patient with ultrasound. Suggestions to improve diagnostic quality as well as reduce injury to the sonographer will be discussed.
NUCLEAR MEDICINE: Outpatient I-131 Therapy for Thyroid Cancer (T) - Ronald Saul, MD -
Radiologist and Nuclear Medicine Physician, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Los
Angeles.
DESCRIPTION
There are regulations to adhere to when administering I-131 to treat thyroid cancer as an outpatient procedure including proper education of the patient. We will review the work up process for thyroid ablation and the need for imaging correlation with US, CT, and MRI.
3:10 – 3:40pm Break & Exhibit Viewing

3:40 – 4:30pm Breakout Session E
GENERAL RADIOLOGY: Clinical Reasons for the Hybrid Operating Room - Bruce Landau, RT,
(R), Education Development Specialist, Siemens Medical Solutions.
DESCRIPTION
High-quality imaging is now available right in the operating room (OR). Hybrid OR allows surgeons and their colleagues to perform combined open, minimally invasive, image-guided catheter-based procedures in an operative setting. System features that can enhance imaging during hybrid surgery as well as a review of the types of clinical cases performed are explored. General information about the various types of procedures, design, planning and unique accessories will be discussed.
GENERAL RADIOLOGY: Interventional Radiology and the Pelvis: Uterine Artery Embolization for Treatment of Uterine Fibroids and Other Pelvic Interventions -
Diego A. Covarrubias, MD – Southern California Permanente Medical Group, West Los Angeles.
DESCRIPTION
The presentation will cover the role of interventional radiology in treating conditions of the pelvis, focusing on uterine artery embolization for treatment of fibroids, and providing a description of imaging anatomy of the pelvic vasculature. We will review procedure set-up and technique for this and other pelvic conditions.
MAMMOGRAPHY: Screening With Mammography: Close Does Not Count! - Susan Sprinkle-
Vincent, RT(R)(M) - Faculty, Advanced Health Education Center, Director, Victory Breast Diagnostics and Women’s Imaging
DESCRIPTION
Saving Lives Every Day, what a wonderful job! But….it does not matter how many mammograms we do if we leave the cancer in the room! Every day we are faced with the challenge of conforming a 3 dimensional object to a 2 dimensional image for the sake of diagnosis. What the Radiologist is able to see on the mammogram depends on how well we do our job. Join Susan for a presentation dedicated to the artistry of mammography.
ULTRASOUND: Fetal Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Anomalies: Sonographic Evaluation - Jim
Baun, BS, RDMS, RVT, FSDMS - Senior Clinical & Development Sonographer, ZONARE Medical
Systems.
DESCRIPTION
An overview of the sonographic findings associated with anatomical abnormalities of the fetal gastrointestinal tract and abdomen.
NUCLEAR MEDICINE: PET Biomarkers - Production to Pipeline(R) - Richard L. Green, R.PH.
BCNP - Director of Radiopharmacy Practice Quality & Regulatory Department, Cardinal Health
Nuclear Pharmacy Services.
DESCRIPTION
The PET biomaker industry is a relatively new field requiring continued research and attention to technical details. We will review the FDA drug approval process for the production of 18F, and cGMP
21 C.F.R Part 212 biomarkers and how they are used currently along with their future applications in
PET.