(This report was presented to the Board of Directors during RSNA 2006.)
The American Society of Association Executives released a book in 2006, "7 Measures of Success: What Remarkable Associations Do That Others Don't." In that book, RSNA was one of nine associations identified as "remarkable." The original study group had more than 100 participants.
The things RSNA and the other remarkable associations do fall into three general categories.
- Commitment to purpose
- Commitment to analysis and feedback
- Commitment to action
RSNA's many accomplishments and seized opportunities over the last year are a result of the Society's commitment to its mission—excellence in patient care through education and research—and to the dedication of its volunteer members and staff. We all share in the accomplishments of 2006.
Education
New educational products, programs and venues were unveiled in 2006. These included maintenance of certification (MOC) materials, American Board of Radiology (ABR) subspecialty certification exams at the RSNA annual meeting, development of the Lakeside Learning Center, a new RSNA educational conference and a new RSNA conference center.
MOC Materials
RSNA routinely revises and refreshes its educational products in all radiologic subspecialties to meet the needs of its members. RSNA products are expressly designed to support self-assessment and lifelong learning—two components of the ABR's MOC Program.
This summer, RSNA released the first in a series of 11 MOC informational brochures. These free brochures were sent to members participating in RSNA's online MOC registry. They also are available on the Internet in the Education Portal of RSNA.org.
ABR Exams
ABR is now offering computerized subspecialty certification exams (formerly called CAQ exams) during the RSNA annual meeting. Advance registration was required. The pilot program at RSNA 2005 was successful. RSNA offers this assistance to ABR in order to provide a convenient venue for diagnostic radiologists to schedule their subspecialty certification exams.
Lakeside Learning Center
One of the most noticeable changes at RSNA 2006 was the reconfiguration of the hall that houses scientific posters, education exhibits, informatics demonstrations, company-sponsored hands-on workshops and the RSNA journal editorial offices.
The hall, now called the Lakeside Learning Center, still showcased traditional displays. The major change was a transition to total content integration by subspecialty. A hub-and-spoke format with a gathering area—called a community—facilitated discussion and social interaction.
Also premiering in the Lakeside Learning Center was the Molecular Imaging Zone. All molecular imaging exhibits and posters were grouped together, along with exhibits from molecular imaging training programs, federal agencies and information about funded small animal imaging centers and centers of excellence in molecular imaging.
RSNA Highlights Conference
The Society has worked for more than a year on developing an educational conference outside of the Chicago-based annual meeting that offers an opportunity to earn continuing medical education (CME) credit on cutting-edge topics, the majority of which were presented at the RSNA annual meeting and updated for RSNA Highlights. The Board wanted the venue to be in a warm climate near the east or west coast.
In February 2007, the first RSNA Highlights conference will be held in Phoenix. RSNA Highlights: Clinical Issues for 2007 will focus on cardiac imaging, PET/CT, breast imaging and sports injuries. The location for the 2008 RSNA Highlights conference likely will be in Florida.
New Conference Center
The new RSNA Conference Center is in full operation at RSNA Headquarters in Oak Brook, Ill. It is a state-of-the-art conference center that can accommodate large groups—150 in a theater-style setup and 50 in a classroom setting—as well as small breakout sessions. The space will allow the Society to host more committee meetings and interactive educational conferences at RSNA Headquarters.
Other Activities
As RSNA develops new educational programs and formats and utilizes new venues to enhance the lifelong learning process, the Society is also working with other organizations to create multidisciplinary activities and course content.
These activities include formation of a Taskforce on Oncologic Imaging and Therapies and a consensus workshop on validating the use of imaging as a biomarker.
The Society also launched a Continuous Quality Improvement Initiative (CQI2). It is educational in nature and included the opening session and courses on quality at RSNA 2006, refresher courses and hot topic presentations in development for RSNA 2007, and a new section on quality that will appear in RadioGraphics beginning in 2007.
Omnibus Survey
An Omnibus Member Needs Assessment Survey was completed in 2006. The purpose of the triannual survey is to obtain the opinions and attitudes of RSNA members about member benefits, services and activities. The Board and RSNA staff are now reviewing and analyzing the data to help the Society move forward in 2007 and beyond.
A survey of international members is also under way. This survey will help the Society learn more about the professional needs of members and annual meeting attendees from outside of North America.
International Outreach
In addition to the international survey, RSNA has formed an International Advisory Committee to provide advice to the Board regarding RSNA activities and programs as they impact international members and annual meeting attendees. The committee, comprising 10 representatives from several continents, met for the first time at RSNA 2006.
The newly redesigned RSNA booth will expand its outreach in 2007. The booth will be present at the Sociedad Mexicana de Radiología e Imagen in February in Mexico City; European Congress of Radiology in March in Vienna, Austria; the German Congress of Radiology in May in Berlin; and the Chinese Radiological Society in October in Nanjing. RSNA will also have a booth at three U.S. medical meetings. At the booth, RSNA staff will be available to answer questions from current and potential members about the Society's offerings.
Reasearch
One of RSNA's goals is to support and disseminate high-quality research in the radiologic sciences. The Society accomplishes that through grants from the RSNA Research & Education Foundation and the peer-reviewed research journal, Radiology.
R&E Silver Anniversary
The RSNA Board joins the R&E Foundation Board of Trustees in its growing anticipation of the Foundation's 25th anniversary in 2009. The Foundation launched various activities and programs this year in an effort to raise $15 million by its silver anniversary in 2009. Details are available in the report from the chair of the R&E Board of Trustees.
New Radiology Editor
The search took more than a year and now the Board is preparing to announce the new editor for Radiology. After meeting with the final candidates at RSNA 2006, a formal announcement will be made in January 2007. The new editor will work with current editor Anthony V. Proto, M.D., for one year until Dr. Proto retires at the end of 2007.
Farewell to Dr. Eyler
RSNA is also saying thank you and best wishes to a former Radiology editor. William R. Eyler, M.D., has retired as the RSNA Historian. Dr. Eyler provided the Society with 45 years of dedicated service—as assistant editor of Radiology (1962–1966), as editor of Radiology (1966–1985) and as editor of the RSNA Index to Imaging Literature, which included nearly 40 journals. Dr. Eyler had been RSNA Historian since 1974.
RSNA members should be proud of the Society's accomplishments in 2006 because without you–our members–these endeavors would not have been possible. RSNA would like to extend its deepest gratitude to the many dedicated and talented volunteers who have worked tirelessly throughout the year to make these achievements possible.
Theresa C. McLoud, M.D.
Chair, 2006 RSNA Board of Directors