Surprise, you’re Radiologic Technologist of the Year!

Everyone but Tammy Jones, assistant professor in the radiation science technology division in the School of Allied Health Professions, knew that she was going to be named Nebraska Society of Radiologic Technologists 2013 Radiologic Technologist of the Year. Everyone.

Who knew?

“My students,” Jones said. “The faculty.” Everybody.

Meanwhile, she had no idea.

She was there, in Kearney, for the NSRT annual conference. When the build-up to the big award started, she sat there, with no clue. But after a while, the nomination letters describing the winner started to make her wonder. And then there was no wondering – they called her name.

Tammy Jones accepted the award as the Nebraska Society of Radiologic Technologists 2013 Radiologic Technologist of the Year.

Then she went up to the podium to accept the award, and they made her say a few words. So she looked out into the audience, and saw, for the first time… her husband and two boys! (Ryan, and Ian and Noah!)

And her parents! (Jim and Lonita Webster!)

(See? Everyone knew!)

How had her family kept this a secret?

“My son’s teacher knew!” Jones said.

Well, at least it was a pleasant surprise.

The big award – SAHP Senior Associate Dean Kyle Meyer called it “A well-deserved recognition for her significant contributions to her profession and to UNMC” – headlined a strong showing for the med center.

Jones works with students Bridgette Root and Molly Gallagher, whom she calls “the future Radiologic Technologists of the Year.”

UNMC also earned first-place honors at the conference in Student Essay (Sarah Johnson); RT Student Exhibit (Dana Riter); and RT Exhibit (Connie Mitchell, Brandon Holt and Rob Hughes).

But the real winners of the day were the ones able to pull off a surprise like that.