MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Mark Wallenmeyer

Mark Wallenmeyer, MBA, CNMT, RT(N) President, SNMTS

As president of the SNM Technologist Section (SNMTS) for the past year, it has been my pleasure to oversee an organization that regards education and collaboration as two of its most important goals. This aptitude to reach out to others—whether technologists from around the world or students in the classroom or our own members—and liberally share resources, knowledge, and experience means that we will become better at our vocation and that our patients will receive the best possible care.

The following are some of the ways SNMTS has been accomplishing this.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

SNMTS leadership continues to receive and extend invitations to other technologist societies. Last year, Immediate Past President David Gilmore attended a meeting hosted by the South African Society of Nuclear Medicine, and in October, President-Elect Cybil Nielsen and I attended the European Society of Nuclear Medicine (EANM). In the months to come, we will attend meetings in the United Kingdom, Australia/New Zealand, and Canada.

At the SNM 56th annual meeting in Toronto later this month, we have planned a panel discussion to address regulatory issues and educational models, which are areas presenting challenges for nuclear medicine societies around the world. We have invited representatives from international societies to participate, and we look forward to continuing these discussions later in the year at the EANM annual meeting and at the World Federation of Nuclear Medicine and Biology in South Africa in 2010.

NUCLEAR MEDICINE ADVANCED ASSOCIATE

The new career path of the nuclear medicine advanced associate (NMAA) is now a reality. The first master's level program will be offered as part of the Nuclear Imaging Consortium for Education formed by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in cooperation with the University of Missouri at Columbia and Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. The consortium received official notification that all was in order from the University of Arkansas Department of Education in November 2008, allowing the first class to be scheduled to begin fall 2009. SNMTS also received official notification from the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) that it will develop the examination.

As a result of developing the NMAA position, SNMTS received RCEEM+ status with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), enabling us to offer continuing education credit for new graduates. We will host a program directors symposium at the upcoming annual meeting to provide guidance for other educational institutions on how to develop a consortium-like program.

MEMBER BENEFITS

SNMTS now has an agreement with the NMTCB to share continuing education credits. This is a free service that allows SNMTS members to keep continuing education credits updated in a timely fashion. We are currently in talks with the ARRT to establish a similar credit-sharing program later this year. We hope you will take advantage of the ease of reporting your class time and learning opportunities.

LEADERSHIP TRAINING

We held the second annual Leadership Academy last October in Orlando, Florida. We were gratified to receive generous support from IBA that enabled us to host 15 technologists. The academy encourages emerging leaders selected from SNMTS membership to develop teamwork and problem-solving skills through fun and challenging weekend activities. Participants have an opportunity to meet colleagues from across the country and build on the shoulders of today's leaders. Submissions for the next academy were received late last month, and the names of selected participants will be announced during the annual meeting at the SNMTS business meeting, Tuesday, June 16, in Toronto, Canada. Be sure to join us at 8:30 a.m. for an informative session and find out how the organization is working for you.

STRATEGIC PLANNING TASK FORCE

The SNMTS National Council of Representatives and Executive Board met for a 1-day retreat to hammer out new mission and vision statements that will more accurately reflect who we are as an organization and where we are headed. The new mission states that SNMTS is dedicated to the advancement of molecular and nuclear medicine technologists by providing education, advocating for the profession, and supporting research to achieve clinical excellence and optimal patient outcomes. The new vision states that SNMTS will be recognized as the leader in molecular imaging and therapy and dedicated to the advancement of the profession through adoption of emerging technologies.

It has been a busy and fulfilling year, and I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with so many talented and dedicated volunteers in these endeavors. President-Elect Cybil Nielsen eagerly joined us in several of them and has already devoted a great deal of time to pursuing the goals of our strategic plan. I have great confidence in her leadership skills and welcome her to the presidency. I also invite all SNMTS members to become involved at some level and help shape the future of our growing and collaborative organization.