Galveston College Nuclear Medicine Technology Program Director, Courtney Cross, was recognized by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) in June during the annual SNMMI meeting in Toronto and awarded the Kathy E. Thompson Hunt Outstanding Educator Award for advancing and promoting the field of nuclear medicine technology through her outstanding work in education.
“This is one of the greatest honors for an educator,” said Cross. “My peers and students have nominated me and it makes me feel like all the time and effort I have put into the program is all worth it because I’m making a difference.”
Cross, who is in her fifth year at Galveston College, has been actively involved with the SNMMI since 2006 and served as the secretary and treasurer for the Mid-Eastern Chapter (MEC) of the SNMMI. In the Southwestern Chapter (SWC), which includes New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana, Cross has been active on the nominating committee and is the president-elect for 2025. In addition, she is the Lead Technologist Advocacy Group (TAG) representative for Texas.
“I hope to instill a passion for nuclear medicine and for the SNMMI in my students while I’m teaching them to be exceptional entry-level nuclear medicine technologists,” said Cross. “I believe the SNMMI fosters an environment of inclusion and life-long learning which I believe fits perfectly with the mission and vision of Galveston College.”
Cross keeps her students actively involved in the SWC-SNMMI by having them co-chair the fall meetings and volunteer at the annual meeting in the spring. She recently had a student graduate from the SNMMI-TS Leadership Academy.
GC’s Nuclear Medicine Technology program director started her career in Baltimore after graduating from Johns Hopkins Schools of Medicine Imaging in 2006. Cross moved to Texas six years ago and took a position at MD Anderson, where she worked directly with students.
“I was passionate about Nuclear Medicine and the Society of Nuclear Medicine from the start,” said Cross. “When I moved to Texas and worked at MD Anderson, I was working directly with students and realized I wanted to do more with the future generation of nuclear medicine technologists. When the position for program director posted at GC, I applied and was offered the job. The rest is history.”
ABOUT GALVESTON COLLEGE
Galveston College was founded in 1967 and is a comprehensive community college providing the residents of Galveston Island and the surrounding region with academic, workforce development, continuing education and community service programs.