Pre-Radiology RAN Founders Woodlynn Daniel and Ryan Morrison Create Opportunities for Medical Students
March 10, 2023
Medical students and interns carry a heavy load — but two students, Woodlynn Daniel and Ryan Morrison, combined their interest in advocacy and knowledge of radiology and worked together to create the American College of Radiology Association® (ACRA®) Pre-Radiology section of the Radiology Advocacy Network (Pre-Radiology RAN).
Daniel, from New York, completed her undergraduate degree at Harvard University and is a fourth-year medical student at Hofstra University’s Zucker School of Medicine. Morrison, from Alexandria, Virginia, graduated from Virginia Tech and is a fourth-year medical student at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine. Both have applied to match in diagnostic radiology.
Once Daniel and Morrison chose to pursue radiology as their specialty, they began to attend American College of Radiology®(ACR®) meetings. There they met Amy Patel, MD, Chair of the Radiology Advocacy Network (RAN), and Alex Podlaski, MD, Communications Officer for the RAN. Daniel and Morrison noticed that, while the RAN had many great resources, there wasn’t anything specifically related to helping medical students become involved in advocacy. With the help of Dr. Patel, Dr. Podlaski and the ACR, the Pre-Radiology RAN was formed in late 2022 specifically for medical students and interns.
The Pre-Radiology RAN holds virtual monthly meetings. A component of the meetings involves medical student presentations on an advocacy-related topic of their choice — usually regarding federal or state legislative issues. The meetings are a great opportunity for medical students to learn about the issues affecting radiology and the house of medicine at a peer-to-peer level and to have robust discussions about their impact. Learning the topics in this manner has helped Daniel and Morrison realize the importance of being involved in advocacy and the many issues that affect radiology.
“Things feel bigger than I even thought they were,” said Daniel. “There’s so much to do, and they say many hands make lighter work. I think it’s important for more students to be involved and for all providers to take part and advocate for improvement in the ability to practice medicine and for patient safety.”
“The medical field is constantly evolving and if you are not involved with those changes, you’ll be missing out on the opportunity to weigh in on really critical issues that will change how both medicine is practiced and your career in the future,” said Morrison. “It’s important to get involved early.”
Carving out time for advocacy can be a factor for medical students. Daniel and Morrison set up the Pre-Radiology RAN so that students could contribute as their schedule allows. They stress that, as medical students, even doing something that seems small — whether it’s attending the Pre-Radiology RAN meetings, sending a call-to-action to lawmakers, or even writing or reposting on social media about an advocacy issue — can have a big impact.
Medical students interested in Pre-RAN may sign up online. If you are not a medical student but are interested in becoming more involved in advocacy with the College, you can also sign up for the Radiology Advocacy Network.
Questions related to Pre-Radiology RAN or RAN may be directed to Melody Ballesteros, ACR Assistant Director, Government Relations.
