Ryan Clark, CMD
Varian-Siemens Healthineers
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, research and industry. 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 daily. The session will also touch on the speaker's work-life balance in his role, including the remote work component. Attendees will walk away with a greater understanding of how the research and industry pathway contrast to a staff dosimetrist’s role.

Learner Outcomes:

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

Presenters:
Ryan Clark, CMD is a certified medical dosimetrist that works as a research scientist within the Varian’s medical affairs team. He completed his Master of Science degree in medical dosimetry at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse in 2016. Before joining Varian in 2021, Ryan worked as a clinical medical dosimetrist in both academic and community settings. Ryan is passionate in assisting clinicians involved with treatment planning to leverage the technology available to help ensure that high quality plans can be achieved for all patients

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