The American Society of Radiologic Technologists describes National Radiologic Technology Week® as a time to honor the essential contributions of medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals to patient care and health care safety. This annual celebration, held during the week of November 8, commemorates Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen’s discovery of the X-ray on November 8, 1895.
At Cincinnati Children’s Radiology department, we celebrate not only our imaging professionals but everyone who plays a role in our department’s success. Throughout the week, we’ll show our gratitude for their hard work by offering free breakfast, lunch, and other treats.
Our own radiologist-in-chief, Dr. Brian Coley, recounts several historical events related to Radiology Week.
A few weeks after German scientist Wilhelm Rontgen announced his discovery of a “mysterious light” emitted from Crookes tubes in late 1895, scientists and engineers worldwide began their own experiments. Among them was Frank Austin, a Dartmouth Class of 1895 graduate, who was then a physics assistant at Dartmouth and later became a professor at Thayer. Using equipment he built himself, Austin took several X-ray photographs, including one of his own hands in late January 1896. On February 3, 1896, at Austin’s suggestion, Hanover physician Dr. Gilman Frost and his brother, physics professor Edwin Frost, used an X-ray to examine a local schoolboy, Eddie McCarthy, for his broken wrist.
Dr. Brian Coley has served as radiologist-in-chief at Cincinnati Children’s since 2011. He holds leadership roles in many societies, including the Society for Pediatric Radiology, the American College of Radiology and the American Institute for Ultrasound in Medicine. Additionally Dr. Coley serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Pediatric Radiology and the Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, and is currently the editor in chief of Caffey’s Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging.
Glenn Miñano is a media specialist in the Department of Radiology, providing graphic design, photography, printing, video services, and administration of the department’s online properties. His works have been published in several medical articles, such as the American Journal of Radiology and the American Institute of Ultrasound. He has been providing these services to the Radiology Department since 1996.
Meredith Towbin is a freelance copy editor and writer. She has copyedited the Department of Radiology’s blog since it launched. She also works as a copy editor for the home improvement website BobVila.com. Her writing has been featured on HuffPost as well as other writing sites.
