Parkite Bernadette Greenwood recently earned an international award from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists. The reward is a chance to speak next year at the Annual Scientific Meeting in Canada.
“This is an opportunity for me to speak on the topic about the role of the radiologic technologists in prostate cancer management,” Greenwood said.
She is a researcher specializing in a cutting-edge treatment called Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy for prostate cancer, which uses MRI imaging to guide precise laser treatment through a minimally invasive approach.
She shot her first X-ray in 1983 while in the Army, where she served on active duty for six years, completing her combat medic training and then going on to radiologic sciences training.
“I have always loved imagery and photography, and then when I took the admission test to get into the Army, the score was high enough that I could pretty much do whatever I wanted,” Greenwood said. “They said they need people in radiology. I did my combat medic training and then radiologic sciences training. It has always fascinated me.”
After completing her military service, Greenwood stayed in the field. She completed her postgraduate training at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. She is currently pursuing a PhD.
Greenwood came up with her innovative technique in 2009 and performed the first human procedure in May 2010 in California. Her current research focuses on two key areas: first, proving the treatment is safe and practical; and second, showing how well it works against cancer.
“Years ago, I had developed for Phillips a breast biopsy device for inside MRI because a lot of women do not know that when they have a false mammogram, 15% of it is a false negative,” Greenwood explained. “Women at risk for breast cancer should really be getting screened with MRI, and the biopsy should be done under MRI. This was commercialized in 2003, and then I was approached to see if I could do the same for prostate cancer.”
In 2019, she helped establish a new MRI-based prostate cancer treatment program in Trinidad and Tobago. Her ultimate goal is to make a significant impact on men’s health around the world.
“If someone had told me the day I graduated high school that I would have invented a new technology for oncology care in men’s health, and that I would be awarded this international speakers award, I would have laughed,” Greenwood said. “You can’t be afraid. Let fear be fuel for success.”
Today, she is the chief research officer at HALO Precision Diagnostics. After moving 21 times throughout her life, she has called Park City home since 2024. She is looking forward to finishing her clinical trial and publishing the results and moving focal therapy into the mainstream.
“Men do not deserve mutilation as treatment,” Greenwood said. “The time is right for focal therapy to be considered as a frontline therapy.”
The event in May 2026 is hosted by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.
According to their website: “We are the leading source of charitable funding for medical imaging technologists and radiation therapists around the world. Our work ensures these students and professionals acquire the education and tools they need as they pursue opportunities to enhance the quality and safety of patient care.”