With programs for international education, research and outreach, the RSNA Committee on International Relations and Education (CIRE) aims to break down borders and teach international radiologists, particularly those in developing nations, skills not otherwise readily available to them.

George A. Taylor, M.D.

"The world is becoming increasingly borderless with respect to radiology, and this will no doubt have an impact on radiology practice and innovation throughout the world," said George A. Taylor, M.D., CIRE chair.

CIRE oversees programs—including the Introduction to Research for International Young Academics and the Derek Harwood-Nash International Fellowship—that encourage international radiologists to pursue academic careers. The committee also offers free RSNA journal subscriptions to international societies, medical libraries and teaching institutions through its Education Materials and Journal Award Program.

CIRE's International Visiting Professor Program sends small teams of North American professors to lecture at national radiology society meetings and visit with radiology residency training programs at selected host institutions in developing nations.

CIRE presents a course at the RSNA annual meeting. The 2007 course, "Extreme Radiology: The Practice of Radiology in Difficult and Hostile Conditions," was well attended and well received, said Dr. Taylor. The 2008 CIRE course will be "Worldwide Radiology: The Migration of Physicians, Images and Innovation."

The committee also has launched the International Radiology Outreach Resource Web portal. Accessible from the RSNA.org home page, the page provides information about programs impacting radiology education around the world.

One of the key ways in which radiology is becoming international is electronic learning resources, said Dr. Taylor. "Well developed and scalable curricula for learning radiology are being created and can be used by the very advanced and the developing world," he said.

For information about volunteering for RSNA committees, go to RSNA.org/About/whoswho/committees/.

Translated RSNA Member Benefit Information Available

Information about RSNA membership benefits is now available in eight languages. Go to RSNA.org and choose Membership Benefits from the Membership dropdown menu to find informational flyers in Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Spanish, as well as English.

RSNA Travels to Italy

The next stop for the RSNA informational booth will be the annual meeting of the Italian Society of Medical Radiology in Rome, May 23–27. RSNA representatives will offer information on membership benefits and RSNA 2008, as well as RSNA journals and education and research programs. RSNA members planning on attending the Italian meeting are invited to stop by and bring a colleague to learn more about RSNA membership.

RSNA will also showcase its journals at the annual meetings of the American College of Cardiology, March 30–April 1, and Medical Library Association, May 16–21, and participate in the American Medical Association Medical Specialty Showcase in June. All meetings are in Chicago.

If you have a colleague who would like to become an RSNA member, you can download an application at RSNA.org/mbrapp or contact the RSNA Membership and Subscriptions Department at 1-877-RSNA-MEM [776-2636] (U.S. and Canada), 1-630-571-7873 or membership@rsna.org.