Pauline Manuela Rocha

Prof. Pauline Rocha is the Director of Clinical Education for the Radiologic Sciences Program and Clinical Assistant Professor of Diagnostic Imaging. Prof. Rocha has years of industry experience in Diagnostic Imaging, Pharmaceutical Research, and Imaging Leadership. As a skilled, education and patient-oriented professional with a multi-modality knowledge base, she offers extensive didactic, clinical, technical, and managerial experience from a variety of radiology settings. Prof. Rocha is a teacher, motivator, and mentor for Diagnostic Imaging students in the undergraduate Radiologic Sciences and graduate Advanced Medical Imaging Leadership programs- with a focus in the Women's Imaging track. Prof. Rocha is committed to excellence in education and quickly establishes rapport and trust with her students and clinical affiliates.

Using high quality standards as a Breast Imaging Manager, Prof. Rocha successfully and diligently moved the mammography department to an American College of Radiology (ACR) Breast Imaging Center of Excellence (BICOE) and American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). Translating this knowledge to academia, Prof. Rocha is passionate to maintain the same ambitious standards in the Radiologic Sciences Program which holds Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) accreditation.

She is credentialed by the American Registry of Registered Radiologic (ARRT) in radiography, mammography, cardiovascular-interventional radiography, quality management, and breast sonography. Prof. Rocha is also certified by the National Consortium of Breast Centers as a Breast Imaging Patient Navigator and the National Council For Mental Wellbeing in Mental Health First Aid USA.

Prof. Rocha is an active member of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), the Connecticut Society of Radiologic Technologists (CSRT), the Association of Educators in Imaging and Radiologic Sciences (AEIRS), the National Consortium of Breast Centers (NCBC), the Cabo Verdean Medical Association (CVMA), which is working to establish a breast screening program in the Cape Verde Islands, and RAD-AID International, an organization dedicated to improving access to medical imaging in low- and middle-income countries as well as underserved areas in the United States

Prof. Rocha is honored to be selected as a Most Effective Radiology Administrator/Manager 2023 semifinalist for AuntMinnie.com's campaign to recognize the best and brightest in medical imaging.

In April 2024, Prof. Rocha was promoted to Clinical Associate Professor. As a member of RAD-AID International, she participated in a scientific and cultural exchange mission to Cabo Verde with her CVAMS team. During this mission, she delivered lectures on breast anatomy and breast ultrasound techniques and performed over 15 ultrasound-guided breast biopsies, all of which led to breast cancer diagnoses.
While in Cabo Verde, it was observed that the hospital on the island of São Vicente faced significant challenges in diagnostic imaging due to a critical shortage of X-ray technologists. In response, Prof. Rocha collaborated with her RAD-AID colleagues to develop a comprehensive didactic and clinical X-ray training program, modeled after the ASRT Limited X-ray Machine Operator curriculum, to address this pressing need.
Prof. Rocha was awarded "Com elevado reconhecimento" (With High Recognition) by Dr. Helena Rebelo Rodrigues, President of the Board of Directors at Hospital Baptista de Sousa in Mindelo, São Vicente, Cabo Verde, for her significant contributions to improving diagnostic imaging services.
Next is a CT, Mammography program and a PACS initiative.