Case Study: Innovation and Safety Leadership at UTMB

A Conversation with Dr. William Pate

Background: Leading Safety through Process Excellence

At the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), a long-standing commitment to safety and compliance forms the backbone of their operations. Under the leadership of Dr. William Pate, Associate Vice President for Environmental Health & Safety, UTMB has set the standard for process improvement, utilizing innovative approaches and cutting-edge technology to keep their employees safe and their compliance systems running efficiently. Dr. Pate’s numerous credentials and roles – including Radiation Safety Officer, Laser Safety Officer, and Institutional Safety Officer – reflect his deep expertise and dedication to the field of radiation safety and overall workplace safety management.

Challenges Before RDC: Limited Support and Declining Service Quality

Before collaborating with Radiation Detection Company (RDC), UTMB faced significant challenges with their previous dosimetry vendor. Dr. Pate shared how the support UTMB used to receive had declined dramatically. The vendor went through a period of restructuring, which led to high turnover and a loss of experienced customer service personnel. Without a reliable point of contact, it became difficult to maintain consistent and effective communication. This impacted critical tasks such as assigning doses to the correct individuals and ensuring the accuracy of dosimetry reports.

"We lacked data and information from our previous vendor” Dr. Pate explained, as a result of untimely and poor customer support, which led to incorrect reporting. It reached a point where he had to double-check every report and follow up constantly. “I wasn’t able to trust that the reports that we were getting were actually accurate, and that concerned me. That was the last straw.”

Transition to RDC: Trust, Efficiency, and Cost Savings

Faced with these issues, UTMB made the decision to transition to RDC for dosimetry services. According to Dr. Pate, the difference was "night and day." From the very beginning, RDC demonstrated a commitment to service excellence. Response times were fast, accountability was evident, and for the first time in a while, UTMB did not have to double-check their vendor’s work. The most important aspect for Dr. Pate was RDC’s willingness to listen and act on feedback.

“RDC has had willingness to listen to us and act on the feedback we provide. You’ve all been interested and listened to us to understand how UTMB does things…and the customer service has been fantastic," Dr. Pate said.

Not only did this improve efficiency, but the transition to RDC also brought significant cost savings compared to the previous vendor. UTMB experienced consistent delivery of badges, with reports arriving accurately and on schedule. This newfound reliability has allowed Dr. Pate and his team to focus more on strategic priorities rather than paperwork and follow-ups.

Cultivating a Culture of Innovation and Safety at UTMB

Beyond choosing the right partner for dosimetry services, UTMB’s leadership in safety and compliance also stems from their willingness to reassess and improve internal processes. Dr. Pate is particularly proud of UTMB’s rich history of prioritizing safety, which includes one of the earliest radiation safety committees and a long-standing tradition of innovation. Under a leadership committed to advancing safety culture, UTMB employees are eager to adapt to better technology and find new ways to improve safety measures. "We're always willing to look at our processes and see how we can do things differently," Dr. Pate noted. This focus on continuous improvement is what has enabled UTMB to become a leader in radiation safety and a benchmark for best practices in the industry.

Advice for Others: Leveraging Technology to Improve Compliance

Dr. Pate's advice for others managing radiation safety in a hospital setting is simple but powerful: “Use technology as much as you can to try to make things easier for you.” Dr. Pate believes that automation can transform compliance processes, from setting up compliance calendars in Office 365 that send automatic reminders to using web forms and dosimetry applications. These tools free up time and resources, allowing safety officers to concentrate on more critical aspects of their work rather than getting bogged down with manual tasks.

Conclusion: UTMB’s Path Forward with RDC

Under Dr. Pate’s leadership, UTMB has shown that a commitment to process improvement, innovation, and partnership can elevate safety standards. By partnering with RDC, UTMB has not only resolved its issues with dosimetry support but also improved overall efficiency and compliance. The collaboration has empowered Dr. Pate and his team to spend less time on administrative tasks and more time focusing on what truly matters: fostering a culture of safety and innovation.

In sharing his experiences, Dr. Pate has highlighted the importance of aligning with vendors who share a commitment to service excellence and the value of leveraging technology to streamline safety processes. His leadership and UTMB’s proactive approach are setting the bar for what safety and compliance can look like in healthcare environments today.

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