New Radiologist Praises North Country's Technology

Dr. Perlin (2nd from right) is happily welcomed by (l-r) Lynn Desautels, Sue Maxwell, Chris King, and Lianne Kramer from our “21st century diagnostic imaging team.” Photo by Pete Kelly

“Radiology has been transformed into the diagnostic hub of the hospital ….. North Country Hospital is proud to offer the community imaging services that no other hospital north of Boston can offer,” states Dr. Steven Perlin.

The field of Radiology has evolved dramatically over the past 30 years. Many folks remember the day when having an “x-ray” was the only choice of imaging. Today, according to Dr. Steven Perlin, Medical Director of Radiology at North Country Health System, “Radiology has been transformed into the diagnostic hub of the hospital - the diagnostic hub of medicine.”

Dr. Perlin, who has been coming to North Country Health System on a part-time basis for two years, has now joined the Radiology Department full time. His job is to provide medical direction to the department and maintain quality and scope of services to patients.

“Most patients with a large number of illnesses will be imaged in one way or another, from a simple chest x-ray for a cough to bone x-rays for bone trauma to an MRI for back pain to an MRI for brain abnormalities,” says Dr. Perlin. “Radiology is a broad area that interacts with all facets of medicine.”

For a small, rural hospital, the Radiology Department at North Country offers the latest, up-to-date technology in all areas. The department is completely electronic, which eliminates the need to handle x-ray films other than when using prior x-rays for comparison on a case. The term “x-ray” is a generic term encompassing such imaging modalities as ultrasound fluoroscopy (used for diagnosing upper GI problems), mammography, MRI, and CT scan.

Using an electronic format to store patients' data allows data to be more diagnostic. It allows for patients' physicians to have ease of access to all their patients' imaging examinations right in their office. If patients need to take images with them to be further evaluated, images may be burned onto a CD to take with them to appointments with specialists. The electronic system at North Country Health System is a PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) and is one of the best systems available.

Dr. Perlin comes to North Country from Pennsylvania. He earned his Bachelor's Degree from Wesleyan University in Connecticut. He then attended medical school at the University of Connecticut and did his Internship at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, NY. He was a Radiology Resident at Rochester General Hospital in Rochester, NY, and was an Imaging Fellow at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, RI. Dr. Perlin is certified by the American Board of Radiology. He has been published in national and international journals. Dr. Perlin has dedicated his life to Radiology because he embraces the “ability to be at the center of the diagnostic process.” Dr. Perlin chose to come on board with North Country Hospital full time because he enjoys working in smaller hospitals. He has liked coming to the area and the hospital for the past two years and decided it's where he and his wife want to be.

“This is where I started as a locum,” says Dr. Perlin. “I feel I can make more of a difference in a small hospital. I can be more effective in getting things done and effecting change. We're very glad to be here.”

A typical day in the life of a Radiologist is often very busy. Dr. Perlin is constantly interacting with various technologists from X-ray to Ultrasound to CT to MRI. He must read and discuss each case. He doesn't often get to interact with the patients personally, but always welcomes the opportunity if it arises. Every case that Dr. Perlin works on is a challenge because each case is an unknown. He referred to the “Where's Waldo” books to make his point. “In the 'Waldo' books you look on each page until you find Waldo. You know he's going to be there somewhere. A Radiologist looks at x-ray images not knowing if there's a 'Waldo' there or not. Every case must be read as a complete unknown and given complete attention. It has to be looked at with utmost care.”

Dr. Perlin finds it very rewarding to be working with the fine staff here at North Country Hospital. In addition, he is excited that the department is constantly being upgraded with the latest technology, offering the community the option of being treated locally rather than traveling to other hospitals.

“The hospital has demonstrated its commitment to keeping things current; in fact, keeping things at the pinnacle of state-of-the-art,” says Dr. Perlin with pride.
When asked what he would like the community to know most about the Radiology Department, Dr. Perlin quickly responded, “People need to realize that they don't have to go outside of this community for the vast majority of imaging services. We're going to try to get new services here so that it will make it even more unnecessary to travel outside of the area. As advanced as we already are here, we're going to try to keep pushing forward and keep adding more services.”

If anyone can continue to offer the great services provided by North Country Health System's Radiology Department, it will be Dr. Perlin; a man who is committed to being critical in making diagnoses; a man who is proficient in what he does; a man who uses the utmost care in every case. North Country Hospital is proud to offer the community imaging services that no other hospital north of Boston can offer.
By Mary Perkins

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