Stacey Schmidt, BSc, CMD, RT(T)
Northwestern Medicine Proton Center & West/North Region Cancer Centers
and
Cheryl Turner, EdD, RT(R)(T)
Klarity Medical

Are you a staff dosimetrist who wonders what life may be like if you were to take a different CMD Pathway? This Career Pathway series audio session will feature a speaker from two different CMD pathways, management and proton dosimetry. The different roles for each will be discussed. The session will highlight the skills necessary to be successful in the different career paths. Furthermore, speakers will enlighten the attendees on what it’s like to work in their chosen pathway day to day. The session will also touch on the speaker's work-life balance in her role, including the remote work component. Attendees will walk away with a greater understanding of how the management and proton pathways compare and contrast to a staff dosimetrist role.

Learner Outcomes:

1. List pros and cons of the Manager/Proton Pathway.
2. Distinguish what special skills or education may be necessary for the Manager/Proton Pathway.
3. Compare and contrast a staff dosimetrist’s daily work activities to a career in Manager/Proton CMD pathway.

Presenters:
Stacey Schmidt, BSc, CMD, RT(T), has been the Manager of Medical Dosimetry at the Northwestern Medicine Proton Center & West/North Region Cancer Centers since 2010, overseeing 25 dosimetrists at 6 locations.   Ms. Schmidt graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Radiation Therapy with Honors from the Indiana University School of Medicine.  After working as a registered radiation therapist for about 5 years, Stacey became a medical dosimetrist in 2005, and has been a certified medical dosimetrist since 2008.  She has made numerous contributions to our profession and authored articles in publications such as the AAPM Task Group 288 report in Medical Physics, the Journal of Radiotherapy & Oncology, International Journal of Particle Therapy, and ASRT's RADIATION Therapist.  She was the Lead Editor of the Medical Dosimetry Journal’s Special Proton Therapy Edition in 2024. She has given multiple oral presentations at PTCOG, PTCOG-NA, AAMD, and ASRT national and international meetings, and her work has also been seen in poster presentations at PTCOG, PTCOG-NA, AAPM, AAMD, and ASTRO conferences.  She has been a moderator at PTCOG in 2022 and for the AAMD Virtual Proton symposium in 2023.  Among her distinguished awards, Stacey was an IUPUI Chancellor's Scholar for the School of Allied Health as the highest ranked student in 2001, winner of the ASRT Silverman Distinguished Author Award for best-published article of 2002, 2nd place AAMD Writing Competition Award in 2014 and was the AAMD representative for the AAPM Task Group 288.  She is a member of the AAMD FEC committee and continues to serve as an Associate Editor for the Medical Dosimetry Journal.  In her spare time, Stacey owns her own fitness business, teaching Zumba, PiYo, and Strong 30 cardio kickboxing classes. She loves to travel and even has taught fitness classes at all-inclusive resorts around the world.  Stacey, her husband, and two kids are also all black belts in Isshinryu karate.  She is grateful for the opportunity to discuss her career pathway with you today!

Cheryl Turner, EdD, RT(R)(T), currently serving as the Account Manager and Outreach Coordinator for Klarity Medical, has been a radiation therapist for over 30 years and an educator for 20 of those years. Cheryl believes that the foundation of solid clinical practice lies in effective and applicable education and training. She has extensive involvement in professional societies including the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, American Society of Radiologic Technologists, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, Rad-Aid International, and the American Association of Medical Dosimetrists. Cheryl was awarded the 2018 Harold Silverman Distinguished Author award, a 2015 ASRT Foundation Scholarship, and the 2012 Chattanooga State Community College “Eye of the Tiger” Outstanding Educator accolade.
 
Cheryl completed her doctoral degree from Liberty University in 2016, focusing on workplace education and safety in radiation oncology settings. She has proven excellence in research and publication on local, state, national, and international levels. Cheryl presented at 20th International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologist WORLD CONGRESS, at the 2017 and 2018 ASRT conferences, the 2022 and 2023 AAMD annual meetings, and at the Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Tennessee society yearly meeting. In addition to numerous local presentations and publications, she has written for national professional journals including ASRT’s Scanner and Radiation Therapist; she is also an active member of the ASRT Radiation Therapist Editorial Review Board.

Educational Level: Entry Level
Audio Session Only