SNM, SNMTS, and ERF: A Joint Venture in Funding the Future

Nanci A. Burchell

Mathew L. Thakur

It has been almost 2 years since the Society of Nuclear Medicine, the SNM Technologist Section, and the Education and Research Foundation (ERF) formalized a strategic alliance. For many years, ERF functioned as an independent education and research fundraising arm of SNM, establishing and administering scholarships, grants, and research awards for which they obtained support. As of last year, the dynamics of this relationship changed. SNM and SNMTS now supply the ERF with proposed projects, develop selection criteria, and select award recipients for all ERF-funded awards and grants except the Cassen Prize and Cassen Fellowship. The reconfigured foundation board focuses on the critical role of raising and managing financial support.

Last year, SNM, SNMTS, and ERF helped nearly 60 students, physicians, scientists, and technologists pursue their educational dreams, initiate and participate in cutting-edge research in molecular imaging and therapy, and contribute to the advancement of nuclear medicine. Through scholarships, grants, and awards, SNM, SNMTS, and ERF foster fundamental goals to train physicians and technologists in state-of-the-art imaging technology, to disseminate research findings, and, in the long term, to make a difference in the lives of patients every day. Since its inception, hundreds of students and professionals have benefited from foundation-funded research grants, scholarships, fellowships, and recognition awards. Over the years, ERF has given more than $1.5 million to the nuclear medicine community.

Through the hard work of ERF President Michael D. Devous Sr., PhD; ERF President-Elect Robert F. Carretta, MD; and foundation officers, the ERF continues its successful mission: to advance excellence in health care through education in research and education by provision of grants and awards. An array of newly developed programs will need your support along with current grant and award programs. New programs include educational scholarships in nuclear medicine, research fellowships in molecular imaging and therapy, support for departmental fellowships, international fellowships, seed grants for research, clinical fellowships in PET/CT, technologist scholarships in PET/CT, and professional development grants in correlative/anatomical imaging.

ERF programs have been made possible with your generosity. Last year, SNM and SNMTS members donated more than $200,000, with more than $60,000 of it given in response to the 50th anniversary campaign. The Education and Research Foundation accepts many kinds of donations and at times other than membership renewal. For additional information on ways to give, please visit the ERF Web site (http://erf.snm.org) or call Kathy Bates, SNM director of development, at 703-708-9000.

The size of a donation is not the most important factor. It is the fact that through your donation to the ERF, you support your profession, promote its growth, and help make these educational programs a reality. Working together, we will shape a bright future for nuclear medicine and its vital role in improving medical care and the quality of life for people around the world for generations to come.