My Turn: Three Considerations for 2020

James P. Borgstede, MD, is a professor of radiology at the University of Colorado in Denver. He is also vice chair of professional services, clinical operations, quality and safety for the Department of Radiology at the University of Colorado.

I am honored to have the opportunity to serve our patients, our specialty, and RSNA as its president for 2020. Quality patient care and worldwide collaboration are essential to our practice of radiology. They are foci of my career, and they coincide with the RSNA mission. 

Employing these interests, I have three goals to enhance the mission of RSNA as a worldwide innovative leader promoting excellence in patient care and health care delivery through education, research and technological innovation.

First, high quality patient care and the projection of the image of the radiologist as the patient’s imaging physician are paramount. Throughout the year and through its annual meeting, RSNA supports its members in their commitments to patient care by affording them myriad educational opportunities and exposure to cutting edge research and technology. This excellence in education and knowledge of current research translate to excellent patient care by practicing radiologists. RSNA highlights relevant new innovations in research and technology beyond our annual meeting. RSNA’s Spotlight Courses bring quality education on focused topics to radiologists around the world. Additionally, we now publish five journals including Radiology, RadioGraphics, and our three new online journals: Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging, Radiology: Imaging Cancerand Radiology: Artificial Intelligence. 

Second, RSNA is an organization with significant resources, and therefore, significant opportunities to impact radiology care worldwide. Global radiology education and outreach have been essential aspects of my career and I have supported RSNA’s global footprint through volunteerism. The RSNA Committee on International Radiology Education (CIRE) with its new Global Learning Centers(GLC) Program assists educational improvement of radiology departments in low-resource countries. The Virtual Meeting provides relevant hot topic education to radiologists worldwide, and is especially beneficial for radiologists who may not be able to travel to Chicago for the RSNA annual meeting. Recognizing the importance of varied perspectives, RSNA highlights two countries during each annual meeting through our Country Presents program. This program features the scientific and research advancements in these countries.  The worldwide image of RSNA is additionally supported by the nearly 9,000 educational and scientific abstract submissions from outside North America and our more than 15,000 international members. 

Third, the two goals above succeed only when RSNA and all radiology societies unite as members of a specialty team. The RSNA annual meeting, with 50,000+ attendees, continues to be the optimal venue for collaboration. With nearly half the radiologists attending traveling from outside North America, many other radiology organizations from around the world are represented at the annual meeting, and there is representation from virtually all subspecialties. Therefore, the annual meeting delivers the ideal opportunity for research and educational cooperation and collaboration.   

RSNA, however, is more than an annual educational and scientific assembly.  Throughout the year, and through the work of our more than 100 committees, 1,200 volunteers, and outstanding staff, RSNA is developing new products for continuing medical education and evaluating research proposals for grant funding through the RSNA Research & Education Foundation. Continuing throughout the year, RSNA engages with industry colleagues and governmental agencies on our behalf.

Worldwide collaboration is the key to our success.  Together we form a rich tapestry of shared experiences, friendship and collegiality.  Our varying perspectives, shared at the RSNA worldwide annual meeting and throughout the year, allow each of us to expand our knowledge and enrich our lives. We are members of a specialty with amazing and unparalleled opportunities for clinical care, education, and scientific advancement. I encourage all radiologists, including residents, fellows and newly minted practicing radiologists, to join RSNA as we advance our specialty globally for the benefit of our patients.