Sometimes another department will ask radiology to take on a new procedure. This happened when the urology department requested a new nuclear test for prostate cancer. Roebker says the test, as far as he can tell, has yet to prove profitable, but that will not stop him or his fellow radiologists from performing it. While the radiologists are forging ties with the other departments, the nuclear technologists are promoting the cause of nuclear radiology to the patients directly. If they won't go along, then either we'll get bad results or they won't follow through with the test.
People are our biggest challenge and our biggest joy.
Williams says that much of the public relations she and her team of 10 technologists engage in involves allaying patients' fears. While soothing the fears of their patients, the technologists also carefully monitor the nuclear tests, which must be accurately timed to get the best results. Williams says there is satisfaction that goes with the job, along with the challenges, particularly if a test uncovers a problem before a patient has a serious health issue. The commitment to building and being part of a community extends beyond St Elizabeth's walls. It builds trust.