Enter the world of Flordeliz Bowles, known as Liz, a medical radiological technologist at Texas A&M School of Engineering Medicine (EnMed). Bowles has always been a technical, hands-on person who loves tinkering and discovering how things work. She initially wanted to be a mechanic and take over her father’s auto shop, but her love for healthcare was stronger. Bowles embarked on a journey of exploration to find her true calling in the healthcare field.
Following in her sister’s footsteps, she tried nursing and respiratory therapy, but neither aligned with her aspirations. It wasn’t until she shadowed her sister working as a medical radiological technologist (MRI tech) that Bowles found her true passion. “This seems kind of cool,” she thought, recognizing the perfect blend of healthcare and technical expertise she was searching for.
Bowles has a deep appreciation for scientific advancement and understands the value of scientific discovery, stating, “I have always found interest in doing complex exams and providing data for research because research plays a hugely important role in the progression of society”. She is motivated to work at EnMed because, “I want to do more, grow differently, and significantly impact the field, which is why I am here.”
At EnMed, Bowles operates a state-of-the-art MRI machine, the 3T Magnetom Cima.X2. It was developed in conjunction with Dr. Pettigrew and Siemens Healthineers and boosts a dual-gradient magnet, signifying a breakthrough in MRI technology. “These are Gemini gradients,” Bowles explains, “Usually, there’s a body coil, then the gradient. However, for us, it’s the gradient, a body coil, and a gradient,” she continues, “The advantage of high-powered gradients is that we can image deeper and, in more detail, so we can capture the protocols enough that we can get DWI, which means diffusion-weighted imaging across the whole body instead of a localized part.”
Day-to-day life for a medical radiological technologist is packed with essential preparations that are aimed at improving patient safety and comfort. Bowles describes her routine, “First, I start up the machine and run a phantom; the phantom is like a big ball of liquid solution that we use to detect anomalies in the MRI machine, which allows us to ensure the machine operates within the proper limits. Next, I see who is on the schedule for a scan or read papers to understand more about what our researchers are looking for. Then, I’ll test some images, build a couple of protocols, and prepare for the researcher to come in so we can test it and get whatever data they need.” Bowles’s role is crucial to preparing imaging sets and supporting whatever research data is required for the day, and she takes preparation very seriously when it comes to ensuring patient comfort.
“When I explain the exam to the participant, I like to be very thorough,” Bowles describes, “Sometimes, I’ll joke around about it a bit to get them more comfortable. Letting them know how long they will be in the machine does help.” MRI exam times can vary from 30 minutes to some lasting 2 hours, depending on the area focused during the reading. She continues to elaborate, “I’ll check if they need to go to the restroom prior, and I take any questions, comments, and concerns seriously and try to relate to them personally on their level. I let them know I’m here for them, show them where the call button is, offer a pillow for their knees, and let them know they are safe.”
“A lot of the time they just want to know that you will not leave them. I talk to my patients between my scans to let them know I’m still here and ensure they are all good. Some people fall asleep, which is great! Coming into an MRI suite is already stressful enough for a patient. You’re coming in because something is not quite right so naturally many people aren’t in their best state of mind, so you must be kind and not take negativity seriously. People may be difficult, but you must remember to be patient with the patient.”
Surprisingly, according to Bowles, about one-third of the patients will simply not do the exam. And Bowles works diligently to ensure those people have options as well. “Sometimes, we talk you through it and ask what we can do to make you comfortable. We offer to play your favorite music or stay in the room with you. For some people, that’s enough, but for some people, it is a panic attack, and some have tried to wiggle out of the machine and escape, which is why having a window or camera in the room is important during MRI scans because movement messes up the scan,” Bowles shares. However, you don’t have to be completely still for the whole duration.
The sequences are broken up into several smaller six-minute scans. So, you do have short breaks, however, it is preferred that patients do not move during these breaks. “The image can be lost if you move too much. “For example, if you shift your chest during a scan, the intended imaging area may no longer be in position. That’s why we tell you not to move, or else we will have to chase that image again, which happens, and we can do that,” Bowles shares from experience.
She is skilled in performing cardiac MRI and breast imaging, which are specialized exams not commonly conducted. These procedures require specific individuals to conduct them at certain times due to the dynamic nature of cardiac exams, which involve imagining a moving subject like the heart. Bowles concludes by saying, “For some people, it’s hard, but for me, I picked it up naturally, and it doesn’t stress me out. It excites me!”
Bowles needs volunteers to assist in calibrating the machine. If you are affiliated with Texas A&M University School of Engineering Medicine as faculty, staff, student, alumni, or affiliate and wish to volunteer with Bowles, please click here. It’s important to note no results will be provided from the examination. Sign up today to contribute!