March 29, 2002

In exchange for an educational scholarship, 25 Boston-area radiology technologists-in-training have promised to work for one to two years at a Partners HealthCare facility once they have completed their education. This agreement is the essence of the Partners HealthCare Medical Imaging Technology Scholarship program, which was formally announced by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino March 8 at a press conference at BWH.

The first of 50 recipients of this new scholarship program were introduced. They were joined by representatives from Partners Radiology, Human Resources and Community Benefit departments, as well as the Boston Private Industry Council and the Boston Public Health Commission. This initiative is designed to tackle the radiology technologist labor shortage and to encourage more Boston-area residents, Partners employees and displaced workers to consider a career in medical imaging technology.

From left, James Thrall, MD, chief of MGH Radiology; Gary Gottlieb, MD, president of BWH; Boston Mayor Thomas Memino; and Steven Seltzer, MD, chairman of BWH Radiology.

Hospitals in the Partners network typically have an average of 70 job openings for radiology and other imaging technologists. According to James Thrall, MD, chief of MGH Radiology, the field of radiology is the fastest growing in health care, and it is the "guiding hand of medical practice." He added that 10 years ago, the number of radiology technologists who graduated from Massachusetts’ colleges and universities totaled more than 250; but now, despite a growing need for such professionals, the number has plummeted to barely 100 in 2001.

The scholarship program, which is available to Partners employees as well as to external candidates, will provide up to $6,000 per year for qualified participants. To be eligible, individuals must be enrolled in a medical imaging program and be willing to make a commitment to Partners of one year of employment for each year the scholarship is awarded.

For those interested in medical imaging as a career but who are not currently enrolled in school, Partners is developing a comprehensive program to help these individuals evaluate and pursue this career option. For more information about the Partners Medical Imaging Scholarship program, contact M.J. Ryan at (617) 243-6065 or send e-mail to mjryan@partners.org.