A Momentous and Bittersweet Annual Meeting

Frances Neagley, BA, CNMT, FSNMTS, RT(N)(R) Editor, JNMT

The SNM annual meeting in San Antonio was momentous and bittersweet for me. It was officially my last meeting as editor of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology. I was recognized at the SNMTS plenary session and again at the business meeting. One morning, the leadership hosted a brunch for me, inviting all the physicians, technologists, and staff who have worked with me. And the SNMTS publications committee recognized my term at its meeting.

Along with the presentations, I also got some really nice presents. The staff put together a poster featuring all my JNMT covers. It is beautiful and sort-of big. I also got a plaque and a photo collage celebrating my 5 years. The publications committee gave me a Kindle, and despite my resistance and love of “real” books, I have already used it several times.

Throughout these events I kept saying “but I am not done yet.” I did get to reconnect with many friends I made as editor and bask in those moments. Unfortunately, while I was taking in the accolades, I was reminded of how many of my goals I only partially completed.

While I feel I have gotten more technologists involved in the JNMT, the size of the journal continues to be smaller than I had hoped. Submissions from educators and students are not consistent, and my invited commentaries have not become a regular feature. Continuing education articles have not increased and are a constant struggle.

This is my next-to-last issue, and all new submissions are now going to Norman Bolus, the incoming editor. I am feeling truly redundant, despite the number of revisions piling up on my desk. It seems weird when I realize that in just 3 months all these stacks of papers and different files all over the place will be gone. I feel as if I am fading away and not very gracefully.

I guess that is enough time dwelling on the past, and I know I will devote most of the December issue to thanking all the people who have helped me over the past 5 years. Looking at this issue, I think there is a good selection of articles across a broad selection of topics. Thankfully, there is a continuing education article, involving PET and PET/CT.

There is a special contribution about NMAA, submissions from both a student and an educator, and a look at radiopharmaceutical production in South America. As usual, the authors come from many countries—the United States, Brazil, Great Britain, Iran, Japan, and Australia. We are truly an international journal.

As always, there are the reports from leadership and the NMTCB and JRCNMT and NCOR, along with photos and a report of the annual meeting in San Antonio. While not scientific, these reports do keep us informed on our profession.

Probably the hardest part of my editorship has always been the writing of these editorials. It should be easier because I feel such a bond with the readership who are all just like I was at one time—technologists working hard in the profession and wanting to be a part of the nuclear medicine community and to stay informed.

And so, once again, I remind you all that I am just like you and I want the JNMT to reflect that. Each and every one of you is part of the journal, should have input, and should feel free to tell me of your ideas and concerns. I can be reached at fneagley{at}pacbell.net and always appreciate hearing from readers.