For Immediate Release
Contact:  ARRT Strategic Communications
651.687.0048
communications@arrt.org

(June 26, 2020) — The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) is pleased to announce this year’s honorees in our I Am the Gold Standard program. They are:

• Rachael Matula, R.T.(R)(T)(ARRT)
• Samantha Skubish, R.T.(R)(T)(ARRT)
• Robert A. Souza Jr., R.T.(R)(CV)(ARRT)

Rachael Matula is Lead Radiation Therapist at the Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center, which is part of the James Cancer Center at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Her interest in improving patient satisfaction led her to develop a Getting to Know You form, which enabled treatment teams to learn more about the people receiving care. In addition, Matula provided patients with personalized booklets introducing the members of that person’s care team. Her efforts resulted in measurable improvements in patient satisfaction.

Samantha Skubish is System Chief Technical Administrator at Mount Sinai Health System in New York City. She is an advocate for professional development, mentoring her team of therapists on publications, research, and public speaking. She also volunteers to teach resume and interview workshops for students in radiation therapy. Skubish standardizes safe clinical practices across the Mount Sinai Health System. She enhanced the quality of patient care for transgender patients by co-authoring a journal publication and training staff on creating an affirmative care environment.  

Robert A. Souza Jr. is Lead Cardiovascular Interventional Technologist at O’Connor Hospital in San Jose, California. A U.S. Air Force veteran, Souza has worked in interventional procedures for nearly 30 years. His ideas for improving patient experiences and care delivery brought 17 new products to hospitals and clinics worldwide. For example, after multiple patients described how uncomfortable radial approach procedures were, he experimented with multiple concepts to improve access to radial arteries. His Comfort Halo invention not only maintains sterility while lessening claustrophobia in patients—it also helps protect health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A committee of R.T.s on staff at ARRT select I Am the Gold Standard winners. Matula, Skubish, and Souza will receive airfare, hotel, and conference registration for a national society conference of their choice in the continental U.S. The honor goes to three Registered Technologists (R.T.s) who meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Quality and Safety: They’ve led or significantly contributed to research that measurably improves patient care.
• Patient Experience: They’ve consistently provided stellar patient experiences that exceed expectations, and/or they’ve led patient experience efforts that resulted in measurable improvements.
• Advocating for the Profession: They’ve shown a substantial commitment to the profession by leading a volunteer effort or by achieving significant accomplishments while volunteering.

About ARRT

ARRT promotes high standards of patient care by recognizing qualified individuals in medical imaging, interventional procedures, and radiation therapy. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota. 

ARRT evaluates, certifies and annually registers more than 340,000 radiologic technologists across the United States. For more information, visit www.arrt.org.