From left, Scott Johnson, UPMC Chautauqua radiology technologist, and Karla Sartori, Bayer Pharmaceuticals associate brand manager, recognizing Johnson for his RADTech Success award from Bayer Pharmaceuticals. P-J photo by Dennis Phillips

A UPMC Chautauqua radiology technologist was recognized for his work to lower radiation exposure.

On Tuesday, Scott Johnson, UPMC Chautauqua radiology technologist, was given the RADTech Success award by Bayer Pharmaceuticals. Johnson has reduced patient radiation exposure and has been dedicated to convincing fellow radiologists to change their techniques for dose improvements, UPMC Chautauqua officials said.

Karla Sartori, Bayer Pharmaceuticals associate brand manager, said Bayer started the RADTech Success Recognition Program six months ago to be an inspiring opportunity to share positive stories of radiologist technologist who drive for better outcomes and valuable contributions in the field of radiology. She said officials from hospitals nominate a potential RADTech Success awardee, who are recognized by their peers for their ground breaking work. She added that UPMC Chautauqua was already meeting the minimum thresholds, but the work Johnson did led to lower radiation exposure for patients.

“He used analytics to lower protocols,” Sartori said. “That really is significant.”

Tammara Hodges, UPMC Chautauqua director of imaging, said UPMC Chautauqua’s staff is always working to improve the experience for patients. She said Johnson’s recognition by Bayer Pharmaceuticals was the only one given in all of the UPMC medical organization.

“(Johnson) is a credit to the professionalism (at UPMC Chautauqua),” she said.