Twyla Bartel, DO, MBA, FACNM, FSNMMI
SWC-SNMMI President 2010-2011
Please tell us about yourself.
I was born in Louisiana, but went with my parents to Japan at the age of 4 living there a total of 17 years. As such, much of the Japanese culture is ingrained in me which includes hard work. In addition, my parents, who are now retired missionaries to Japan, were very important in instilling in me that I could do anything I set my mind to as well as setting great examples of caring for others in general. Growing up in Japan also gave me an international perspective on almost everything. At a very young age, I wanted to become chemist or doctor, then by high school, a microbiologist. Having grown up in Japan, I had little knowledge or guidance at that time of what a career in the USA would encompass. While pregnant with my first child, I decided to pursue becoming a physician, had my second child during medical school, and last during Nuclear Medicine.
Give us your background information related to your professional training, including nuclear medicine, and what inspired you to enter this field.
As mentioned previously, becoming a physician was an early childhood desire. Growing up, we always had a photography darkroom in our house, and images were important at a young age, too. I also have training in computers and used to work for Compaq Computers. Therefore, I set out initially with the goal to become a Radiologist. I was invited to interview for Nuclear Medicine in Iowa, and this is how I learned about our profession which I was extremely interested in afterwards. I obtained my DO degree at Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (completed in 2001), Nuclear Medicine Residency and PET/CT Fellowship at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (2005), then Diagnostic Radiology Residency in Arkansas (2014). I also have a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA).
What do you consider your primary contribution(s) to Nuclear Medicine?
Helped introduce/moderate for Miss America 2023 (Nuclear Engineer) at SWCSNMMI meeting.
2017 SNMMI Delegation to Cuba
I am and have been extremely involved with our profession for years in many facets and organizations for Nuclear Medicine. One of the most important that I am proud of is seeing those I have mentored go on to be successful. Educational items and the business aspects of Nuclear Medicine are also areas I have strongly contributed. I am very thankful to have been included also with clinical guidelines, safety and quality projects, publications, research, government relations, advocacy, as both a national and international speaker, and many other areas.
I am or have been involved with the ACR (economics committee, practice parameters, ECOG-ACRIN), ARRS (organizer, speaker), ABR (Nuclear Medicine item writing committee), AUR, ACGME (prior Program Director), and RSNA.
Here is a short list of some of the areas I have been involved as of 2023.
Current or Past President: Southwest Chapter of SNMMI, American College of Nuclear Medicine (ACNM), SNMMI Correlative Imaging Council, SNMMI Academic Council
Vice President: SNMMI PET Center of Excellence
Board Member or Trustee: SWCSNMMI, ACNM, SNMMI, ABNM
And last, but not least, I am very happy to have to many colleagues and friends within our profession!
In what year were you a SWC-SNMMI President, and how did you first become involved with the chapter?
I was the SWCSNMMI President in 2010-11. I was first introduced to our chapter by Dr. Ron Walker and quickly became involved.
Please describe anything else that you would like for your Nuclear Medicine colleagues to know about yourself.
Having grown up in Japan, I speak Japanese. My hobbies include computers, traveling, and music. When I was MUCH younger, I recorded three LP albums and received 3 Grammy nominations for one of the songs I wrote later on a single. I play piano, any type of keyboard, organ, and classical guitar. I am Co-Owner of Global Advanced Imaging, PLLC.