In Memoriam

The Neurodiagnostic community has lost one of its leaders, Theda Sannit. As an EEG technologist, teacher, and mentor she has made an impression and left her mark.

Theda began her career in EEG technology in 1950 as the technologist assisting Daniel Silverman, M.D. with his efforts to establish a clinical EEG service at the Graduate Hospital, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While she was not sure that this technology or clinical service would continue to be supported by the hospital or provide meaningful diagnostic information, she approached this endeavor with enthusiasm, collegiality, and a desire to learn and master the science of the brain and central nervous system. Her 40-year tenure at the Graduate Hospital is testimony to her success.

Theda is probably most recognized for her article on the International 10-20 System of head measurement. After the reporting and adoption of this System by the International Federation of Societies for EEG and Clinical Neurophysiology in 1961, she wrote the delineating method for head measurement in 1963. This is still the recognized method of head measurement.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 2, 1920 to immigrant parents, she was one of four siblings. She was married to Ray Sannit, when she was in her late twenties and was devastated by the premature death of her husband of less than one year. Theda never had children or remarried.

Theda graduated from the School of Journalism and Commerce at Temple University in 1942 with a Bachelors of Science degree. Her first job was with the Signal Corp. The United States was at war and Signal Corp was recruiting women with bachelor degrees to be trained to inspect radio equipment. She was among the first group of women to be trained. Because of her experience in electronics she was a natural at learning the skills needed to record brain wave activity.

In 2006 I met with Theda to interview her for an article on Electroneurodiagnostic Innovators and Pioneers that was published in the March 2006 issue of the American Journal of Electroneurodiagnostic Technology. She was humbled to think that ASET considered her an innovator and pioneer but the fact is – she was that and much more. Her ability to train students in EEG technology was a gift. She created an atmosphere of learning with her gentle demeanor, attention to detail, and endless patience.

Her professional career is highlighted by helping establish the Philadelphia Regional EEG Technologists Association and the Eastern Society of EEG Technologists. She was a Charter member of ASET (1959) and served as its President from 1972 to 1973.

Theda was among the first ten technologists invited to sit for the ABRET exam in 1966. She was also one of the first technologists to represent ASET on the Joint Review Committee on Education. In recognition of her service, teaching and support in the field of electroneurodiagnostic technology, the Theda Sannit Outstanding Educator Award was established in 1990 by the Philadelphia Regional EEG Technologists Association and the Eastern Society of EEG Technologists to honor Theda’s accomplishments and contributions to EEG. The award was first presented to Theda Sannit herself. Since 1992, ASET has continued the award on a national basis recognizing outstanding educators in the field of neurodiagnostics.

On a personal note I have lost a dear friend, teacher, and mentor. Theda tookme under her wing when I was a young, impressionable, and eager student. Besidesbeing my teacher, she introduced me to my fust ballet, French restaurant, and exposed me to her love of classical music. She believed that ASET was the vehicle for professional development and was a great advocate. Her last ASET conference was in Philadelphia in 2006. She attended all the scientific sessions and courses. Her enthusiasm and love of learning was as evident at the age of, then 86 years, as it was when I first met her in 1964.

I am privileged to have known Theda and to be among the many recipients of her kindness, teaching expertise, and friendship. Her memory will always be a blessing.

– Sharyn Katz, R. EEG T.

I met Theda Sannit on July 1, 1965 when I began the fust of twenty years as Chairman of the Neurology Department at the Graduate Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. The EEG lab was in the Neurology Department and was then directed by Daniel Silverman, M.D. with Theda as Chief Tech. Both had become active and well known in the EEG community.

I was young but had been active in EEG and EEG research before coming to Philadelphia. (Like Theda I had started as an EEG tech in the early 1950s). Dan and Theda welcomed me to what was really their lab and together we continued the tradition of clinical EEG and EEG training they had begun. After Dan died, the loss was enormous. The Silverman Memorial EEG Laboratory was established in his name and new facilities were constructed for clinical EEG, epilepsy surgery, and computer analysis. Throughout, Theda was the glue that held us together as new trainees, staff, students, programs, and facilities carne on board.

Theda was kind, wise, refined, dignified, and thoughtful as a person. As a Technologist, she wanted each EEG recording to approach perfection (“I just want to try one more montage”). Her only limitation was time. She would tell the younger and faster students, “you go on horne, I’ll finish up.” And she would, until the spike was found or the seizure recorded.

She was a consummate professional and she instilled professionalism in all of her students. She joined with a handful of like-minded pros to form the American Society of EEG Technicians more than five decades ago and shortly thereafter the American Board of Registration of EEG Technologists. A new profession was born.

How wonderful Theda was for all of us. “Oh now dear”, began her comforting words on so many occasions and somehow we felt better and moved forward. All she asked in return was that we do our best. And so many did.

– Richard N. Harner, M.D

Theda was a pioneer in EEG and made critical contributions such as helping to develop the International 10-20 System, but she was first and foremost a dedicated teacher and mentor.

I met Theda for the first time as a resident in neurology, then as a fellow, and later as an attending. I learned an enormous amount from her about EEG. Whenever there was a problem in the lab, a pen that didn’t work properly on an EEG machine, or a malfunctioning photic stimulator, she went into action. She used any problem as a teaching tool and she logically guided all of us through the troubleshooting procedures. She had the attitude that she should be able to fix any problems with the machines in the laboratory. If initial troubleshooting didn’t work she kept on going, until the problem was found and corrected – sometimes long after everyone else had given up and went horne. She taught me to fully disassemble a Grass EEG machine and put all the pieces back together, a skill that I gratefully still use in the research laboratory.

With any problem in the lab, anyone could always go to Theda and, if she didn’t know the answer, she would rummage through old papers until she found it. I can remember once when she worked for days to answer a complex technical problem and found the solution in a set of old yellowed army manuals. The best thing was that she was never too busy to help and was always eager to do so. In our modem times, encountering problems was always taken as a negative but Theda always smiled and used them as a teaching opportunity.

Theda taught me much about management as well. Everyone knew when they made a mistake. Theda never was angry or upset at anything but it was always possible to tell that you bad failed in some way. There was no question that you immediately corrected the problem and nothing else needed to be said. She was the prototypical person who lead by example- an example that all of us will continue to recall, honor, and attempt to imitate.

– Mark M. Stecker, M.D., Ph.D.

Originally published in:

The Neurodiagnostic Journal, 53: 95–98, 2013
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/21646821.2013.11079893