It is with great sorrow that I am informing you of the passing of Joanne Greathouse on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the age of 75. Many of you may remember Joanne, who prominently served as Chief Executive Officer of the JRCERT from 1998 to 2007. She achieved numerous accomplishments during her tenure at the JRCERT, but she was a true leader for our profession throughout her entire lifetime. When thinking of the characteristics of a professional, eight typically come to mind: competence, knowledge, conscientiousness, integrity, respect, emotional intelligence, appropriateness, and confidence. Joanne exhibited every one of these traits and is truly the epitome of professionalism.
After graduating from Spoon River Valley High School, she finished her undergraduate work at Carthage College where she earned her degree in English with a minor in education, which suited her career well. She then began her work in radiologic technology upon graduating from Methodist Hospital of Central Illinois in Peoria in 1973. She later obtained graduate degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and The College of William and Mary.
Joanne worked at Virginia Commonwealth Virginia Commonwealth University as chair of the Department of Radiation Sciences. She and her husband George moved to Chicago in 1997 when she joined the staff of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology and was promoted to Chief Executive Officer in 1998. Upon her retirement from the JRCERT in 2007, she accepted a position as Program Director of the radiography program at Apollo (now Carrington) College and relocated to Arizona. She was a frequent presenter at state, national, and international conferences; the recipient of numerous professional awards; and an author of books, book chapters, and many professional articles. She participated in and was a leader of many professional and academic groups and was a life member of the Virginia Society of Radiologic Technologists, a Fellow of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, and a Fellow of the Association of Educators in Radiologic and Imaging Sciences. Additionally, Joanne served as a JRCERT site visitor until 2022 and performed over 80 site visits during her career.
Joanne was an accomplished educator, author, scholar, and mentor who truly loved the radiologic sciences, but more than that, always served to advance and enhance the profession, and for that we are deeply indebted. Please join me in celebrating the life of this extraordinary professional. Thank you, Joanne, for all you have accomplished and contributed. You will be missed.
Leslie Winter, M.S., R.T. (R)
JRCERT Chief Executive Officer