Late KSU-Salem radiology technology founder honored | News, Sports, Jobs

Unveiling the memorial plaque dedicated to the late Dr. Frank Apicella were (from left) his son, Dr. Peter Apicella, current medical director of the rad tech program at Kent State Salem and advisory board member; student Asa DeSanzo; and Dr. Brad Bielski, interim dean and CAO at Kent State Salem. (Submitted photo)

SALEM — Kent State University at Salem unveiled a living memorial to the late Dr. Frank Apicella, who founded the radiology technology program on the campus more than 40 years ago.

Members of the Apicella family were joined by faculty, students, staff, advisory board members, graduates and employees from Salem Regional Medical Center to honor Apicella’s dedication to his profession and providing educational opportunities on a local level.

Dr. Frank Apicella and his brother, Dr. Salvatore Apicella, first founded an in-house training program at what was then the Salem Community Hospital and appointed the late Roy Bell as its initial medical director.

In 1981, the program was relocated to the Kent State Salem Campus and became an associate degree program under the leadership of Roy Bell and his wife, Shirlee, while Dr. Frank Apicella continued as medical director of the program.

In 1994, Dr. Frank Apicella’s son, Dr. Peter Apicella, joined the team 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 a radiologist at Salem Regional Medical Center.

“(My father and uncle) had a vision of an educational program which would prepare local students with the knowledge and skills they would need to work in an x-ray department,” explained Dr. Peter Apicella. “We are fortunate that our Kent State radiology technologist program has continued to grow and attract quality students from around the area. Over the past 57 years, more than 1,000 students have gone on to worthwhile and caring careers in radiologic technology, thanks to the quality education provided by all of us.”

As medical imaging technology advanced beyond x-ray, so did the program on the Salem Campus. In 1995, Dr. Peter Apicella worked with retired program director Jan Gibson to expand the existing Kent State associate degree program into one that provides bachelor’s degrees in specialty areas such as computed technology (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diagnostic medical sonography (ultrasound), radiation therapy and, at one time, nuclear medicine.

Ten clinical sites from around the area host Kent State students, providing invaluable learning experiences in actual healthcare facilities.

Asa DeSanzo, a second-year rad tech student on the Salem Campus, spearheaded the effort to honor Dr. Frank Apicella, who died in August.

“Without Dr. Frank Apicella and his dedication to educating those in his community, we would not be here today, and I would not be in this program,” she said. “I wanted to do something small so we can always remember the impact that Dr. Frank Apicella and his family have had. This family goes on beautiful trips and seems to surround themselves in nature. The idea of having this tree planted felt fitting. And while it is a small gesture, I hope that it shows the gratitude from the community.

“If everybody in the world had just a small fraction of Dr. Frank’s care and dedication, I believe remarkable things could happen,” she continued. “I hope that this memorial serves as a reminder of what kindness, generosity and dedication can do.”