Celebrate Nuclear Medicine Week Oct. 4 – 10
Nuclear medicine detects subtle changes in the body’s function that allows early detection and extent of a wide range of diseases including many types of cancers, heart disease, gastrointestinal, endocrine, neurological disorders and other abnormalities within the body. Read on to learn more about what nuclear medicine is and what nuclear medicine technologists do.
Nuclear medicine uses biological tracers combined with radioactive material to produce images that help diagnose and manage disease. Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (MPI) and bone scans are the most common diagnostic examinations performed. In the imaging process, a small amount of tracer is injected and detected by gamma cameras to produce images that show how a tissue, organ or system is functioning. Nuclear medicine provides an important “piece to the puzzle” because it can identify how the body is functioning at a cellular level, which assists in identifying the presence and extent of disease.
Meet Kelly – a UBC Hospital technologist
Kelly Bielby is a nuclear medicine technologist who is passionate about her profession.
Kelly was inspired to pursue a career in nuclear medicine after accompanying a close relative on her health care journey. Kelly obtained her Diploma in Nuclear Medicine from BCIT and began her career at Abbotsford Regional Hospital in 2008. Kelly worked for several years at various Fraser Health sites until Lower Mainland Consolidation enabled her to move to Vancouver Coastal Health, where she recently landed a permanent position at UBC Hospital.
Kelly is inspired by her patients’ positive attitudes despite difficult circumstances, and understands how important her professional interactions and outlook are for them. She feels fortunate to have found a career that she is interested in and passionate about. Kelly is also grateful to work with colleagues that make work fun.
About 116 nuclear medicine technologists work in Lower Mainland
There are about 116 nuclear medicine technologists working across the Lower Mainland integrated medical imaging sites. The theme for Nuclear Medicine week varies from year to year but the goal is always the same: pride in what Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging have brought to the health care environment over the years. Please join in celebrating Nuclear Medicine Week Oct. 4-10 and take a moment to recognize their important contribution to patient care.