Message from the President

The last 2 years of leadership activities have literally flown by. I have participated in hundreds of conference calls, received thousands of e-mails, and attended meetings in Reston and elsewhere.

Why do volunteer work? Occasionally I tell people that there is a stamp on my forehead that says, “This one can't say no.” And I guess that it is true. For the most part, if the proposal is something I believe in, the plan is reasonable, the outcome is beneficial, and the path forward is clear, I try to help out.

This final message isn't all about me, however. What I want to say to all the readers of JNMT is this: Volunteer work enriches our lives. Volunteering in our professional organization allows us to give back to the community that we share and to leave it better than we found it. There are personal rewards as well. All of the things that I have done as a member of the Society of Nuclear Medicine‐Technologist Section have made me a better person. I have learned a tremendous amount and have been able to interact with a host of people that otherwise would never have been on my e-mail list. I like to think that our profession has been improved by some of the activities in which I have participated on your behalf. I have made some great friends along the way. These rewards can be yours as well if you choose to give of your time and talent to a volunteer organization.

I am very pleased that the board of directors has chosen Virginia Pappas, CAE, as our new executive director. Virginia has been the driving force of the Technologist Section for many years, and I foresee great things as she takes the reins of Society leadership.

I must express my sincere appreciation to many people for successes achieved during the past 2 years. Most of all, I thank the staff of the office in Reston. We have an enormously talented staff dedicated to the success of the organization.

We often talk about the graying of our profession. I am probably a prime example of that, having practiced nuclear medicine technology at Washington University School of Medicine for 27 years. I have been fortunate to have been mentored by active members of the Section along the way. Thanks to them as well: Don Bernier, my first boss; Sue Weiss, who taught me about leadership and about pediatrics; Marcia Boyd, who leads with style and is always willing to share her knowledge and expertise; Kathy Thomas, who never hesitates to express her opinion, even if unpopular; and Kristen Waterstram-Rich, who has a great sense of humor and let me shadow her during her presidency. I have learned much from each one of you, and I thank you for sharing with me.

Frances Keech will be a great president. She is energetic and focused. All of the projects underway at the present time have benefited from her input.

I thank all of you for your support and encouragement during the past year. Please consider increasing your involvement in your professional organization.