Meet Your Fellow Members
This series celebrates the people behind the profession and offers an opportunity to learn from and connect with MRTs working in a wide range of settings from coast to coast! Every Monday, we’ll introduce you to a different medical radiation technologist from somewhere across Canada. For April, we interviewed some of our volunteers for Volunteer Month! Read a sneak peek at a feature article that can be found in this upcoming edition of CAMRT’s Newsletter 44.1.
| Know someone we should highlight? Let us know at maiello@camrt.ca |
This week’s member spotlight is Shay Kohli, MRT(T), Trillium Health Partners, Ontario
How long have you been volunteering with CAMRT’s EDI Committee?
I have been volunteering with CAMRT’s EDI Committee since January 2024. I applied for the position with a strong motivation to help create more inclusive spaces within our profession. It has been incredibly rewarding to see how far we have come in raising awareness and building momentum around equity, diversity, and inclusion.
What does volunteering with CAMRT mean to you personally and professionally?
Volunteering with CAMRT has allowed me to find deeper fulfillment in my career and has provided a meaningful way to give back to our profession. I first began volunteering with CAMRT in my final year as a student, serving on the steering committee for one of CAMRT’s micro-certificate courses, Identity Matters. That opportunity showed me how impactful it can be to work collaboratively toward a shared goal and see the changes that result from our efforts, including improved patient care in this case. Personally, I enjoy being part of the change I want to see. Continuing to volunteer as I started my career has connected me with MRTs from across Canada, meeting colleagues and even some life-long friends I might never have met otherwise had it not been for these volunteer experiences.
For those unfamiliar, can you briefly describe your role and the type of work the EDI committee undertakes?
As Chair of the EDI Committee, I oversee our monthly meetings, where we discuss the progress of various initiatives and identify new opportunities to advance inclusion within our profession. The committee’s main focus is to provide strategic advice that helps foster an environment reflecting the diverse needs and perspectives of all members. Our
committee is made up of MRTs dedicated to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in the profession, and our steering committee consists of members who self-identify as
belonging to marginalized communities. Together, we serve as a resource for CAMRT—helping ensure that policies, programs, and initiatives are equitable and accessible; supporting and advocating for MRTs from marginalized groups; and encouraging systemic
change across the profession. One exciting example of our work was the design of our EDI pin that was distributed for MRT Week 2025. To our surprise, it was a huge success with over 18,500 pins ordered for MRTs across Canada! These same pins will be available at the upcoming CAMRT conference in Victoria, BC, next month. Come by to our committee booth and grab one for yourself or your whole team!
What skills or competencies have you developed or strengthened through your volunteer role?
This experience has helped me grow as a leader, particularly in learning how to guide discussions and initiatives with empathy and inclusivity. Chairing the committee has
strengthened my communication, collaboration, and facilitation skills and has taught me how to engage meaningfully with diverse perspectives. These are skills I carry into my daily clinical work, enriching my professional practice. I know I am still learning and evolving, and I feel fortunate to have the ongoing support of both the committee members and
CAMRT staff along the way.
Is there any advice you would give to MRTs that want to get involved with volunteering with CAMRT?
Reach out and get involved! I would start by finding an area that aligns with your interests, whether that’s Education, Professional Practice, Communications & Advocacy, including EDI, Membership & Events, and many more! There are so many ways to contribute as a volunteer. Getting involved in an opportunity that reflects your values not only keeps you engaged but it also brings a deeper sense of fulfillment to your career.
How do you see the future of volunteerism within CAMRT evolving?
I believe we will continue to see volunteerism grow through more creative engagement and flexibility, along with more virtual opportunities and diverse voices from across Canada.
Volunteering with CAMRT is rewarding because we, as MRTs, get to feel the direct impact of our work and see how our contributions strengthen our profession. The passion and enthusiasm of new MRTs give me confidence that volunteerism will remain an essential part of CAMRT’s future.