RSNA News - September 2004

Announcements

RSNA Earns Reaccreditation to Provide Six-year CME

The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) has announced that RSNA has fulfilled the requirements for Accreditation with Commendation. As a result, ACCME has extended RSNA's accreditation as a CME provider until March 2010. This six-year accreditation period is one that is awarded rarely and should be regarded as a sign of RSNA's commitment to educational excellence.

Maintenance of Certification White Paper

The American Board of Radiology (ABR) has released a white paper on its new Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. The process is designed to facilitate and document professional development through its focus on the essential elements of quality care in diagnostic radiology, radiology oncology and radiologic physics.

The document is available at www.theabr.org/MOC_overview.htm.

"Over the next 10 years, ABR-MOC will continue to develop into a comprehensive vehicle through which all diplomates can ensure the public and the radiologic community that they are incorporating new information into their practices, thereby delivering excellence in care," the white paper states.

Cohen Named RSNA Editorial Fellow

Harris L. Cohen,  M.D.

Harris L. Cohen, M.D., director of the Division of Body Imaging (CT/US/MR), chief of pediatric body imaging and vice-chairman of research affairs at the State University of New York Health Sciences Center at Stony Brook, is the 2004 RSNA Editorial Fellow.

In 2002, Dr. Cohen was named editor-in-chief of the American College of Radiology's professional self-evaluation syllabi series.

During his one-month RSNA fellowship, Dr. Cohen will work closely with Radiology Editor Anthony V. Proto, M.D., at the Radiology office in Richmond, Va., with RadioGraphics Editor William W. Olmsted, M.D., at the RadioGraphics office in Bethesda, Md., and with the publications, advertising, and marketing and communications staff at RSNA Headquarters in Oak Brook, Ill. Dr. Cohen will also work with the RSNA editors at RSNA 2004 in Chicago.

FDA Creates New Cancer Office

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is changing its organizational structure to provide for a stronger and more consistent approach to the review process for drugs and most therapeutic biologics used to diagnose, treat and prevent cancer.

"This initiative by the FDA will benefit cancer patients in the future by helping important cancer drugs reach the community," said National Cancer Institute (NCI) Director Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D. "As NCI promotes research to develop new interventions to prevent, detect and treat cancer, we look forward to supporting FDA's efforts."

FDA will create a new oncology office, called the Office of Oncology Drug Products, to be housed in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). This new office will be a consolidation of three existing areas within CDER and will also include drugs and certain therapeutic biologics used in medical imaging.

New Database on Genetic Policy and Laws

The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) has launched a free Web-based resource that will help researchers, health professionals and the general public easily locate information on laws and policies related to a wide array of genetic issues.

The NHGRI Policy and Legislation Database is at www.genome.gov/LegislativeDatabase.

It currently includes information on:

• Genetic testing and counseling
• Insurance and employment discrimination
• Newborn screening
• Privacy of genetic information and confidentiality
• Informed consent
• Commercialization and patenting

This fall, NHGRI plans to add more content categories, primarily in the areas of foreign statutes and laws, foreign policy, treaty and international agreements, and policy material from international organizations.

"This is a tremendous resource for anyone interested in learning more about the laws, regulations and policies pertaining to genetics and genomics. It will serve as a valuable tool for all Americans, from academic researchers seeking to patent genetic technologies to average citizens trying to determine what protections exist in their states against genetic discrimination," said NHGRI Director
Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D.