SSM Health radiology tech receives instructor of year award

Kelly Langley, a radiology technician at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital was recognized Friday as the Clinical Instructor of the Year during a surprise presentation.

Faculty and students from State Technical College of Missouri's Medical Radiologic Technology program presented the award to her.

The award is given to a selected clinical instructor and recognizes "excellence in clinical education, mentorship and patient care," according to a news release.

Melissa Hart, department chair and program director for State Tech's medical radiologic technology program, said students nominate instructors who have made an impact on them during clinical training.

"So students select or nominate a clinical instructor based on outstanding educational support in the clinical setting," Hart said, "somebody who is inspiring to students, somebody who serves as a mentor, somebody who ensures that the clinical environment supports learning, somebody who demonstrates depth and breadth of knowledge in the radiologic sciences has exemplary technical skills and patient care skills and clinical expertise and just overall enhances the image of the radiologic technologist."

Langley has worked in the diagnostic X-ray field for 26 years and serves as a connector between classroom learning and patient care for students in the program, Hart said.

"So she helps our students take what they learn in our classroom and lab at State Tech and apply that in the clinical setting to patients with direct patient care," Hart said.

Langley said helping the students is the true reward.

"It's just wonderful to help shape them and just see the future of our department," Langley said.

One of the students Langley has helped shape is Malorie Reasor, who recently completed her first year in State Tech's medical radiologic technology program. Although Reasor was not part of the group that selected or nominated Langley, she worked with Langley during one of her clinical rotations at Jefferson City Medical Group, where Langley also spends some of her time.

"She's very helpful whenever it comes to positioning the patients," Reasor said. "She's very hands-on in helping. She also has a lot more experience than a lot of other techs I've worked with, and so she's very knowledgeable about different procedures."

Also attending the award presentation was Vicki Johnson, clinical coordinator and didactic instructor for the medical radiologic technology program at State Tech. Johnson previously taught Langley when the program was still offered through Nichols Career Center, making the moment a full-circle experience for instructor and student.