Raleigh Radiology Associate Director of Compliance and Regulatory Affairs Carmen Geerlings nominated Christina Allen, RT (R)(MR), as a Rising Star.
“Christina is an asset to our team and takes on far more than typical supervisor duties. As our organization has moved from 3rd party MRI management and services to bring MRI in-house, she has launched our MRI safety program and has worked as a primary point of contact for the installation of two new MRI units in our outpatient offices. Even with all she does, she makes sure that all her team members are taken care of and works tirelessly for the patient’s best interest.
Christina holds a bachelor’s in healthcare science and currently serves as an MRI supervisor with Raleigh Radiology. ICE Magazine took some time to find out more about Christina via a Q&A session.
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Q: Where did you receive your imaging training/education?
A: I completed a radiologic technology program at Tower Health Hospital in Reading, Pennsylvania, where I began gaining hands-on experience early by working as a student X-ray technologist in the evenings following clinical shifts. After graduation, I spent two years working in emergency and operating room settings before transitioning to the MRI department at Reading Hospital. There, I had the privilege of working alongside some of the most skilled MRI technologists in my career. They were instrumental in mentoring me and shaping my technical expertise. I earned my bachelor’s degree from Alvernia University while balancing full-time work.
Q: How did you first decide to start working in imaging?
A: In high school, I developed a passion for photography. I loved capturing images, experimenting with exposure, and learning how to develop film. At the same time, anatomy was one of my favorite subjects. Combining these two interests felt like a natural fit.
Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
A: I’m passionate about helping others, whether it’s working as a technologist scanning a day of scheduled patients, mentoring students, or developing policies and procedures to improve our organization. I find great fulfillment in being someone people can rely on, especially when they need support the most.
Q: What do you like most about your position?
A: What I enjoy most about my position is the ability to develop and implement policies and procedures that not only enhance patient workflow but also keep MRI safety and patient care as top priorities within our organization.
Q: What interests you the most about the imaging field?
A: What interests me most about the imaging field is the strong sense of teamwork across the entire organization. Providing the best care to our community isn’t the work of just one department or individual; it requires collaboration among many highly skilled and trained professionals working together toward a common goal.
Q: What is your greatest accomplishment in your field thus far?
A: My greatest accomplishment has been developing a deep expertise in the complexity of MRI and having the knowledge to develop policies and procedures that others utilize in their day-to-day workflow. This has allowed me to confidently and effectively lead my department of MRI technologists in delivering exceptional care with strong fundamentals. I’m also proud of the role we play in mentoring students, helping them build a strong foundation of skills early in their careers, and being an example of what it looks like to take extra effort for our patients.
Q: What goals do you have for yourself in the next 5 years?
A: In the next five years, I hope to lead process improvement initiatives on a broader scale, with the goal of developing standardized MRI safety and patient preparation criteria that can be adopted across the industry.
Fun Facts
Favorite hobby: Throwing on the pottery wheel
Favorite show: “Schitt’s Creek”
Favorite food: Asian Fusion
Favorite vacation spot: The beach
1 Thing on Your Bucket List: Eat homemade pasta in Italy
Something your co-workers don’t know about you: I lived in Japan.
