User:Sisney

As a fellowship trained Radiologist with expertise in breast imaging and intervention including digital mammography, breast ultrasound, breast MR and image guided core biopsies, I joined the academic faulty at the University of Colorado in Denver, CO as Assistant Professor in Radiology and Director of Breast Imaging. At this time, I began to contribute to research grants and publications, most notably as an investigator in the initial U.S. Army Department of Defense grant for the clinical and technical evaluation of Full-Field Digital Mammography that served as the basis of the Digital Mammography Multi Institutional Trial (DMIST) which established digital mammography as the state of the art technology of choice.

I assumed the role as Director of Breast Imaging at Georgetown University, in Washington, DC in 1999 and at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, WI in 2004. During this time, I continued to supervised faculty and resident radiologists, nurses and technologists employed at the centers. I managed professional and technical medical imaging operations, such as clinical operations, medical education, and information technology. I established and administered FDA-MQSA quality assurance, accreditation, and audit programs, new equipment acquisition including digital mammography, CAD, PACS and structured reporting systems, and initiated fellowship and clinical research program, work protocols, and workflows.

At the University of Wisconsin, I was promoted to Associate Professor of Radiology and had the opportunity to continue my research interests in new technologies and collaborated on numerous research grants and publications. My academic experience was supplemented as I served as a reviewer for the National Institute of Health (NIH) study section for biotechnology grants, and the American Roentgen Journal. I was honored to serve on multiple American College of Radiology (ACR) committees including mammography, breast MRI and stereotactic accreditation programs. Additionally, I was appointed to be the ACR liaison to the American Registry for Radiologic Technologist mammography exam committee. In 2012, I was elected a Fellow of the American College of Radiology, one of the highest honors the ACR can bestow on a radiologist. ACR Fellows demonstrate a history of service to the College, organized radiology, teaching, or research. Approximately 12% of ACR members achieve this distinction.

While my experience had been highly patient oriented for much of my career, I also developed a passion for teaching. I am known as a skilled communicator and teacher and have taught breast imaging to hundreds of Radiology technologists, residents and fellows. I have given over 50 regional and national presentations and multiple media, radio talk show & TV broadcasts. During my tenure on the South Central Wisconsin Komen for a Cure Board of Directors, I was responsible for communicating the intricacies of breast cancer to the board members. I was instrumental in developing the South Central Wisconsin Komen for a Cure community grants program. Madison Magazine named me one of the “Thirty One Madisonians to Know” for my women’s advocacy role in clarifying the controversial US Preventative Task Force guideline changes in breast cancer screening guidelines. I continue to lecture at numerous breast imaging courses and conferences including a Breast Cancer Radiology Pathology course at Herzing University in Waukesha, WI where I can reach national and international Radiology students.

One of my most significant professional accomplishments is bringing knowledge, compassion and comfort to my clinical patients for nearly 20 years. I currently work with Radiology Mammography International (RMI) a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the breast imaging and cancer education needs of developing and underserved regions all around the world. During August 2013, I accompanied RMI to Guatemala and facilitated installation of mammography equipment and training of radiology technologists and physicians in breast imaging techniques. Through RMI, I have consulted with organizations in Thailand, India, Haiti and Morocco on their development of Breast Cancer Screening Programs.

In order for continued personal growth and achievement, my goal is to obtain a Masters in Public Health and acquire formal training to assess women’s health program strengths, vulnerabilities and outcomes; to understand global regulatory issues and to develop and manage global women’s health program key strategies. My objective is to gain the knowledge and skills to augment my professional experiences of improving women’s health in the US and developing world. The United Nations has identified three global women’s health initiatives of breast cancer, maternal mortality and cervical cancer prevention and diagnosis. I am interested in working with a nongovernmental organization to develop core global women’s health programs to address these critical need services.