SRMC recently announced, from left, Sevada Green, Alyssa Myers, Isabelle Witherow, Joseph Troup and Chris Plott as the recipients of the 2025 Apicella SRMC Radiology Technologists Award, given to second-year students enrolled in the radiology technology associate program at Kent State University at Salem. They are joined by, far right to left, Dr. Peter Apicella, Suzanne Baker and Dave Baker of the Apicella family; and Amy Reed, SRMC Director of Development. (Submitted photo)

SALEM – Salem Regional Medical Center recently announced the recipients of the 2025 Apicella SRMC Radiology Technologists Award.

The award was established in memory of Dr. Frank Apicella, M.D., and provides educational awards to second-year students enrolled in the Radiology Technology Associate Program at Kent State University at Salem.

Receiving $1,000 each to go toward their continuing education are students Sevada Green, Alyssa Myers, Isabelle Witherow, Joseph Troup and Chris Plott.

Dr. Frank Apicella started his radiology practice in Salem in 1966 and was soon joined by his brother, Dr. Salvatore Apicella. They had a vision of an educational program that would prepare local students with the knowledge and skills they would need to work in a medical imaging department.

The Apicella brothers founded an in-house training program at Salem Community Hospital. When the Kent State University Salem Campus was established, the education was shifted to the university as an associate degree program. Dr. Frank continued as Medical Director, and he and Dr. Sal assisted in educating many students at the hospital over the years.

In 1994, Dr. Frank Apicella’s son, Dr. Peter Apicella, joined the program as a faculty member and eventual Medical Director, a role he continues to fill. He also serves on the Salem Campus advisory board and is the Medical Director for the Advanced Radiology Center in Canfield and Columbiana, both services of Salem Regional Medical Center.

At the time of Dr. Frank’s passing in August of 2023, the Radiology Technology Program had grown to encompass ten clinical sites from around the region, providing invaluable learning experiences in actual healthcare facilities.

“We are fortunate that our Kent State University Radiology Technology Program has continued to grow and attract quality students from around the area, adding many additional clinical sites over the years,” said Dr. Peter Apicella. “As medical imaging technology advanced beyond x-ray, so did the program. In 1995, we worked to expand the associate degree program into one providing full bachelor’s degree training in the specialty areas of CT, Ultrasound, MRI, Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Therapy, offering one of the first such bachelor’s programs in Ohio.”

“We are proud of the thousands of students trained at Kent State University’s Salem Campus and the hundreds of students trained at Salem Regional Medical Center,” he added.

The Apicella SRMC Radiology Technologists Award will be given out to eligible candidates each August.