Armstrong, master’s student present on medical imaging as a public health tool

When more than 500 radiologic technology educators gathered for the Association of Collegiate Educators in Radiologic Technology conference, School of Public and Population Health Associate Teaching Professor Travis Armstrong and Master of Public Health student Jeleana Loa (BS, radiologic sciences, 2022), opened the event with a timely message: medical imaging is not just clinical practice; it is public health in action.

Their presentation, "The Role of Medical Imaging in Public Health," explored how radiologic science intersects with population health initiatives. From early tuberculosis screening efforts to modern disease surveillance and mobile mammography programs, the presentation traced how imaging has long contributed to improving health outcomes at the community level.

For Loa, who will graduate this May with a master's in public health with an emphasis in data driven decision making, the topic reflects her own academic journey.

"Working in nuclear medicine, I did not initially recognize that what I was doing every day was directly connected to public health," she said. "It was through the MPH program that I began to see how technologists can identify patterns, assess system level issues and contribute to meaningful change."

The presentation encouraged educators and students to shift their perspective. Rather than viewing imaging solely as performing diagnostic exams, the presenters challenged attendees to consider how technologists can recognize trends such as repeat imaging, workflow inefficiencies, access disparities or unnecessary radiation exposure and how they can propose improvements.

Educating educators, the presenters emphasized, multiplies that impact. When faculty teach students to think critically about safety, efficiency and equity, it shapes patient care nationwide.

Their collaboration also highlights the value of students working alongside faculty in research. What began in fall 2022 as a mentorship request evolved into published research in the American Society of Radiologic Technologists Radiologic Technology journal and multiple national presentations.

"Faculty mentorship creates opportunity," Loa said. "It builds confidence that students are capable of contributing meaningfully to their profession."

Armstrong described the experience as one of the most rewarding of his career at Boise State.

"What began as a mentor-mentee relationship has evolved into a true working partnership," he said. "Jeleana serves as a model for her peers through her willingness to take risks and capitalize on opportunities."

Through undergraduate research fellowships and graduate level training, Jeleana developed analytical skills in literature evaluation, data interpretation and methodology assessment. She credits research with transforming her perspective from learning established knowledge to questioning and contributing to it.

As Boise State continues to advance interdisciplinary education within the College of Health Sciences, presentations like this demonstrate how clinical expertise and public health principles can work together to improve care at both the individual and population levels.

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