At its June meeting, the RSNA Board of Directors approved a number of collaborations with other societies, focusing on such issues as adult radiation dose and international radiology education. The Board also looked ahead to RSNA 2009 and approved the Society's 2009–2010 budget.
 Burton P. Drayer, M.D. Chairman, 2009 RSNA Board of Directors |
Collaborations Advance Radiologic Science and Education
RSNA has teamed up with the American College of Radiology (ACR) on several initiatives, including formation of a task force for an adult radiation protection program. The task force will address issues of dose management and reduction similar to those tackled by the Image Gently pediatric campaign, of which RSNA and ACR are members.
RSNA and ACR also will collaborate on an international observership program, with each organization sponsoring an international radiologist as he or she spends six weeks learning at an institution in the U.S. The first radiologists to participate in the program later this year will be from Iraq.
At this year's annual meeting, RSNA will promote the Face of Radiology campaign, developed by ACR to inform the public about who radiologists are and how they fit into a patient's healthcare. RSNA and ACR will also host a joint Residents Reception at RSNA 2009.
RSNA and the American Association of Physicists in Medicine are set to unveil the first phase of Web-based physics teaching modules at RSNA 2009. Phase 1 includes modules on radiography, fluoroscopy, mammography, CT, ultrasound, MR imaging, nuclear medicine and radiation biology. The modules are designed to improve the basic science education of radiology residents and will also benefit practicing radiologists. The Board has approved development of the Phase 2 modules, which will address basic science principles and special considerations.
RSNA will work with the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology to present a March 2010 conference, "Imaging for Treatment Assessment and Radiation Therapy."
Also next March, RSNA will co-sponsor the GU Cancer Symposium, an American Society of Clinical Oncology program focusing on genitourinary radiology and oncology.
RSNA 2009 Just Months Away
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Plans continue for RSNA 2009 sessions, including one featuring representatives from the National Institutes of Health Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. Annual meeting attendees can learn about the availability of SBIR funding for researchers in the advancement of medical imaging technologies. SBIR aims to strengthen the role of small businesses in meeting federal research and development needs and increases private sector commercialization of innovations developed through its program. In a separate session, past SBIR recipients will discuss their experiences with the program.
Also planned for RSNA 2009 is an expansion of the Digital Mammography Training and Self-Assessment Workshop, which will also address breast tomosynthesis and breast MR.
In other annual meeting business, the Board approved making the Trainee Research Prize available to recipients from anywhere in the world. The prize, recognizing an outstanding scientific presentation in each subspecialty presented by a resident/physics trainee, fellow or medical student, formerly was restricted to only North American abstract submissions. Recipients receive a certificate and a $1,000 check during their designated presentation periods.
RSNA will collaborate with the Society of Chairs in Academic Radiology Departments to provide space at RSNA 2009 to department representatives wanting to interview prospective candidates for radiology fellowships.
Starting with RSNA 2010, attendees will be able to view materials from all scientific presentations—including those presented orally in scientific sessions—at the computers in the Lakeside Learning Center along with electronic education exhibits.
RSNA Journals Expand Reach
RSNA will participate in Global Outreach Radiology, or GO-RAD, a new virtual journal launched by the International Society of Radiology. Radiology Editor Herbert Y. Kressel, M.D., and RadioGraphics Editor William W. Olmsted, M.D., will select articles from their respective journals to contribute to GO-RAD, where they will be available free to radiologists in developing nations.
The Board approved the journal editorial fellows for 2009. José María García Santos, M.D., of Morales Meseguer University Hospital in Murcia, Spain, is the 2009 William R. Eyler Editorial Fellow. Samantha Lynn Heller, M.D., Ph.D., of New York University Medical Center, is the Trainee Editorial Fellow.
At its June meeting, the Board also approved a change to the eligibility requirements for RSNA Research & Education (R&E) Foundation grants—starting with the next round of grant applications, due in January 2010, all applicants must be members of RSNA. More information about the change and the research and education grants offered by the R&E Foundation.
I look forward to seeing all of you at RSNA 2009.
Burton P. Drayer, M.D.
Chairman, 2009 RSNA Board of Directors
