Browse the 2026 WSRT Annual Conference/WAERT Student Symposium schedule.
Conference Schedule
Sunday, March 29, 2026
All Sunday sessions will be held in the Cypress Room. Lunch to be held in Wisteria.
Registration (Available All Day) | 7:00 - 7:45 a.m.
Registration will be available all day.
7:45 - 8:00 a.m. | Opening Ceremony
Join us for the start of the conference!
8:00 - 8:45 a.m. | WSRT 1st Business Meeting
Catch up on the latest news from WSRT.
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. | Unpopular MRI Safety Opinions from an MRSO
Rebecca Nelson, BS RTR MR MRSO
- Describe the role and responsibilities of MR Safety Roles (MRSO, MRMD, MRSE).
- Describe commonly accepted MRI safety screening practices and options for improvements.
- Discuss implanted device MRI safety investigation practices and alternative methods for more streamlined clearance processes.
- Discuss the importance of MRI safety decisions being made by properly trained and identified MR personnel, highlighting non-MRI personnel’s scope does not encompass MRI safety.
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Life of a Respiratory Therapist
Julie Roeske, BS RRT
- Describe the scope and core responsibilities of the respiratory therapist across the continuum of care.
- Identify emerging and non-traditional roles for RTs in today’s healthcare environment (e.g., Interventional Pulmonology, Hyperbaric Medicine, Outpatient Clinics).
- Recognize collaborative opportunities between RTs and imaging professionals to improve workflow efficiency, diagnostic accuracy, and patient experience.
- Discuss the future direction of the respiratory therapy profession, including workforce trends, specialization, and technology-driven care.
12:00 - 1:30 p.m. | President’s Luncheon & WSRT 2nd Meeting | Wisteria Room
- Voting
- Gavel Club meeting to follow
1:45 - 2:45 p.m. | Where Learning Thrives: Creating & Maintaining Positive Clinical Environments
Tricia Pedretti, MA, BS, RT (R)(M)
- Describe expectations when working with clinical learners.
- Identify personal challenges/barriers that affect working with clinical learners.
- Describe the diversity of clinical learners that will enhance positive engagement.
- Identify key strategies to build technologist/learner engagement that will promote learning.
2:45 - 3:45 p.m. | A Slice of Progress: How CT Has Improved Veterinary Patient Outcomes
Dr. Thomas M. Hanson, DVM,MS, RT(R)(CT)
- Describe the evolution of CT technology and its adoption curve within veterinary imaging, from early academic use to widespread clinical integration.
- Explain how CT improves diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes using case examples such as porto-systemic shunts and elbow dysplasia.
- Compare traditional imaging modalities with CT in terms of anatomical visualization, surgical planning, and client communication.
- Evaluate the clinical utility of portable CT systems in emergency and general practice.
3:45 - 4:00 p.m. | Break & Announce Gavel Raffle
The Gavel Raffle will be announced during this break.
4:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Quantitative Transmission Imaging – Breast Acoustic CT Scanner | Sponsor: NXC Imaging, Canon Group
Jeanne Koshick, RTR (M) BA
- Describe the scope and core responsibilities of the respiratory therapist across the continuum of care.
- Identify emerging and non-traditional roles for RTs in today’s healthcare environment (e.g., Interventional Pulmonology, Hyperbaric Medicine, Outpatient Clinics).
- Recognize collaborative opportunities between RTs and imaging professionals to improve workflow efficiency, diagnostic accuracy, and patient experience.
- Discuss the future direction of the respiratory therapy profession, including workforce trends, specialization, and technology-driven care.
Monday, March 30, 2026
Monday sessions will take place in a variety of room locations.
- B/C/D/E/F/G for vendors, breaks, lunch, and the Quiz Bowl
- Please see individual sessions for locations below
Registration (Available All Day) | 7:00 - 7:45 a.m.
Registration will be available all day.
8:00 - 9:00 a.m. | Jim Werner Memorial Lecture - Courage to Lead: Navigating the Future of Imaging and Radiation Sciences Education | D/E Room
Dr. Cheryl DuBose, Ed.D, RT(R)(MR)(CT)(QM)(ARRT), MRSO, FASRT
- List a few of the challenges facing educators in the current landscape.
- Explain how advancements in technology and artificial intelligence are changing the way that we teach.
- Discuss the latest trends in higher education and their effect on traditional program structure.
- Provide words of encouragement as the educator community works to maintain the highest quality of patient care during stressful times of change.
9:00 - 9:40 a.m. | Break & Visit With Vendors | B/C/D/E/F/G Rooms
During this break, vendors will be available.
9:40 - 11:10 a.m. | I Can See That It's Rotated, But Why Does it Matter? | D/E Room
Randy Griswold, M.P.A., RTR
- Explain the relationship between X-ray beam geometry and “Profile Imaging.”
- Discuss the role of the cardiac silhouette in chest radiograph interpretation.
- Identify specific anatomic lines, stripes, and markings used by radiologists.
- Calculate the cardio-thoracic ratio and its positioning considerations.
- Identify clinically important anatomical measurements used by radiologists in cervical spine and orthopedic radiography.
9:40 - 10:30 a.m. | Pain in the Assessment - Rethinking Lab Assessment for Clinical Readiness | Cypress Room
Dr. Christina Smith, EdD, RTR, M & Misty Susa, RTR
- Adapt radiation protection practices for patient safety to include portable and trauma radiography.
- Apply critical thinking skills to adapt and modify positioning to obtain radiographic images.
- Demonstrate knowledge of X-ray equipment operation and setting appropriate technical factors.
- Discussion of evaluating patient safety and clinical awareness preparedness.
- Discussion of evaluating Image Analysis, communication with patient and technologist, flow of exam, etc.
10:30 - 11:10 a.m. | Break | Cypress Room
The Cypress Room will have a short break between the 9:40 a.m. and 11:10 a.m. sessions.
11:10 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Scintillators in Medical Imaging | D/E Room
Amber Schuck, RTR MBA
- Comprehend how Barium Platinocyanide enabled the discovery of X-rays.
- Outline the difference between actual fluorescence and radioluminescence.
- Illustrate the process of how few X-ray photons can result in many light photons emitted.
- Discuss the evolution of Scintillators used in diagnostic medical imaging.
- Explore different scintillators used in other imaging modalities and what the future may hold.
11:10 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | JRCERT Standards Revision: Draft One 2031 Standards | Cypress Room | Sponsor: JRCERT
Jennifer Michael, Ed.D., R.T.(R)
- Describe the JRCERT Standards revision process.
- Identify the proposed Standards and Objectives for the 2031 Standards for an Accredited Educational Program.
- Critique the proposed revisions in Draft One document.
12:00 - 12:45 p.m. | Lunch | B/C/D/E/F/G Rooms
- Visit with vendors
1:00 - 1:50 p.m. | Radiologist/Technologist Relationships: Can We Go Back to the Future? | D/E Room
Dr. Cheryl DuBose, Ed.D, RT(R)(MR)(CT)(QM)(ARRT), MRSO, FASRT & Dr. Paul Larson, MD, FACR
- Understand the history of Radiologist/Technologist working relationships.
- Provide possible reasons for changes in the Radiologist/Technologist working relationship.
- Recognize the value of the Radiologist/Technologist relationship.
- Discuss methods to improve collaboration between Radiologists and Technologists.
1:00 - 1:50 p.m. | Medical Imaging for Pain Management | Cypress Room
Dr. Thomas Faull
- Recognize common anatomy for procedures used in pain management.
- Recognize common procedures in pain management.
- Understand optimal patient positioning to improve imaging.
2:00 - 2:50 p.m. | ARRT Jeopardy Game—Your Favorite Topics to Review | D/E Room
Troy Albrecht, MS R.T.(R)(CT)
- Review ARRT content specs
- Review Patient Care
- Review of Safety
- Review of Image Production
- Review of Procedures
2:00 - 2:50 p.m. | From RT to DVM: Positioned for Success | Cypress Room
Dr. Thomas M. Hanson, DVM, MS, RT(R)(CT)
- Identify why alternate career paths deserve deliberate consideration rather than reflexive dismissal.
- Identify key factors that influence successful transitions along non-traditional career paths in medical imaging and beyond.
- Apply mentorship strategies to accelerate learning, expand networks, and navigate unfamiliar career terrain.
- Develop a personalized goal-setting framework that integrates reflection, adaptability, and strategic action.
2:50 - 3:10 p.m. | Break & Visit With Vendors | B/C/D/E/F/G Rooms
During this break, vendors will be available.
3:10 - 4:00 p.m. | Teamwork and Maximizing Experience in the OR | D/E Room
Dr. Matt Niesen, M.D. MHA
- Maximizing your experience in the OR
- How to be a valuable team member
- How to talk to the surgeon
- Case Examples
- C-arm Demonstration
3:10 - 4:00 p.m. | The Site Visitor Experience | Cypress Room | Sponsor: JRCERT
Jennifer Michael, Ed.D., R.T.(R) JRCERT, and Kyle Theine MBA RT(R) (MR)
- Define the roles of the JRCERT staff and Site Visitors.
- Define the requirements to become a Site Visitor.
- Discuss the Site Visitor workflows after Self-Study Submission through the final report of site visit findings.
- Engage in Q&A with JRCERT about site visit experiences and provide advice to help prepare for a successful visit.
4:15 - 6:00 p.m. | Quiz Bowl | D/E Room
Test your knowledge!
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Tuesday sessions will take place in a variety of room locations.
- B/C/D/E/F/G for lunch
- Please see individual sessions for locations below
Registration (Available All Day) | 7:00 - 7:45 a.m.
Registration will be available all day.
7:30 - 9:00 a.m. | Student Presentations | Cypress Room
Watch presentations of the top essays. To minimize distractions, entry into the room will not be permitted while any presentations are in progress.
8:10 - 9:00 am | Cone Beam CT in Advanced, Peripheral Bronchoscopic Lung Biopsies | D/E Room
Dr. Shilpa Tatineni
- Explore the evolving field of Interventional Pulmonary Medicine.
- Understand the clinical impact of Cone Beam CT for advanced peripheral lung biopsies.
- Discover cutting-edge technologies, including robotic-assisted navigational bronchoscopy.
- Learn best practices for patient positioning and procedural room setup.
- Review real-world cases and the role of a multidisciplinary pulmonary nodule clinic.
9:00 - 9:50 a.m. | Picture Perfect: Interactive Image Review | D/E Room
Sarah Averbeck, RTR
- Build confidence in evaluating and improving image quality through interactive, case-based image review.
- Learn to recognize and address common image quality challenges encountered in clinical settings.
- Develop critical thinking skills through collaborative image review.
- Utilize best practices and professional standards to support consistent, high-quality imaging.
9:00 - 9:50 a.m. | From Image to Insight: Radiography Assessment with AI Support | Cypress Room
Amber Williams & Alexandra Liezert-Dale M., ED RTR
- Explore AI for a realistic clinical scenario.
- Apply AI-supported strategies to develop an assessment tool.
- Connect the newly developed tool to incorporate into the assessment plan.
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. | Everything You Need to Know About Physics in an Hour | D/E Room
Dan Cordas
- Identify and discuss components of X-ray circuit.
- Discuss the two X-rays producing interactions in the tube.
- Discuss the properties of X-ray photons and their interactions in matter.
10:10 - 11:00 a.m. | Beyond X-Ray: The New Era of Medical Imaging | Cypress Room
Dr. Ted Hanson
- Radiology’s Role in Personalized Breast Cancer Screening
- Lutetium Therapy for Prostate Cancer
- Role of CT Imaging in the Diagnosis and Management of Cardiovascular Disease
11:00 - 11:50 a.m. | Radiation Protection: A Review | D/E Room
Mary Legler, M.Ed. R.T.(R)
- Identify interactions that produce X-rays.
- Identify X-ray interactions with matter.
- Discuss stochastic and tissue effects/responses.
- Review occupational and non-occupational dose limits.
- Review safety practices and protective requirements.
11:00 - 11:50 a.m. | Supporting Wisconsin RTR Programs: Responding to Educational, Clinical, and Policy Concerns from the Examining Board | Cypress Room
Dr. Chad Dall, DHSc, RT(R)(MR)
- Describe the role and authority of the Wisconsin Radiologic Examining Board in licensure oversight and regulatory enforcement for radiologic technologists.
- Identify the most common educational, clinical, and administrative concerns brought forward by Wisconsin RTR programs and understand how these issues relate to state regulatory requirements.
- Discuss strategies for resolving program-reported concerns, including clarification of scope of practice questions, documentation standards, and clinical placement challenges.
- Engage in a structured Q&A that allows educators to clarify concerns, request interpretation of state guidelines, and identify strategies to support students in meeting licensure requirements.
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | Lunch & Awards/Raffle Announcements | B/C/D/E/F/G Rooms
Awards and raffle will be announced.
1:00 - 1:50 p.m. | How to Stand Out When Everyone Looks Qualified | D/E Room
Jason Herrington, MBA
- Understanding the importance of a good resume and cover letter.
- Better understanding of ATS systems and how they work.
- Creating good bullet points.
- Info on how to use AI appropriately.
- Tips on telling stories to sell yourself in an interview.
1:00 p.m. | WAERT Business Meeting | Cypress Room
All educators welcome!
