History

A survey of the American Society of X-Ray Technicians (ASXT), now known as ASRT, was made by personal letter to members in South Dakota early in the Spring of 1948 by Counselor, Marian T. Chausse, R.T. The response was sufficiently encouraging to warrant the organization of a state society.  Since many of those contacted indicated that they were planning to attend the national convention in Minneapolis, it was decided to call a meeting there. Such a meeting was called by the Counselor, eight prospects answering the roll call. Letters from several “technicians,” not present at Minneapolis, were read and accepted as an affirmative vote. An election of officers was held, with the following results:  

President: Willard Beckstrom, R.T., Sioux Falls

Vice-President: George Laswell, R.T., Rapid City

Secretary-Treasurer: Sister M. Cuthbert, R.T., Parkston

Executive Committee: Charles Johnson, R.T., Sioux Falls

Chairman Sister M. Viola, R.T., Yankton Fae M. Rold, R.T., Huron  

The group was aided by Mrs. Mildred Kice, R.T., Chairman of the Affiliation Committee, who advised and assisted with the formation of the society. Dues were established at $5.00 annually. Other business was postponed until such time as a regular general business meeting within the State of South Dakota could be held.

The SDSRT was officially organized on June 9, 1948. 

 The Eastman Kodak Sister Cuthbert Memorial Lecture was established in 1988 by the SDSRT in conjunction with the support of Eastman Kodak.  

The President of the SDSRT and the Chairperson of the Board of Directors issued the invitation to the first RT to be the Memorial Lecturer at the 40th Annual Meeting in Yankton, SD in 1988. The first lecture was given by Helen Ferwerda.

The Memorial Lecturer is presented with a personal plaque and a traveling plaque (to be kept for one year). These plaques were originally donated by the Eastman Kodak Company.

In recent years the award program has been revised and is now known as the Sister Cuthbert Memorial Lecture. The traveling plaque has been discontinued and the recipient is awarded an individual plaque at the annual conference by the preceding memorial lecturer.

The Memorial Lecture Committee is responsible for the selection of the Lecturers.Those selected are chosen for their contributions through teaching and organizational activity.

The Sister Cuthbert Memorial Lectures has celebrated the heritage of the SDSRT for more than 30 years.  We honor Sr. Cuthbert's memory and her dedication to the radiologic sciences.