Expanding SNMTS Professional Development and Education Opportunities

Ann Marie Alessi

Ann Marie Alessi, BS, CNMT, NCT, RT(N)

I think many of you would agree with me that membership in SNMTS provides access to a comprehensive offering of professional development opportunities—continuing education, research grants, scholarships, and more. The number of offerings available to members is extensive, thanks in a large part to the Professional Development and Education Fund (PDEF).

Created in 2001 by SNMTS, PDEF provides a forum in which corporate entities can contribute financial support to technologist-related programs and activities. The mission of the fund is to support the advancement of molecular and nuclear medicine technologists by providing education and supporting research to achieve clinical excellence and optimal patient outcomes. In particular, sponsorship funds are directed toward encouraging research studies, publications, and papers in nuclear medicine technology that promote the development of best-practice techniques; advancing the educational background of clinical nuclear medicine instructors, practicing nuclear medicine technologists, and those entering the field; developing research opportunities for technologists in the form of funding and research fellowships; advancing the education and research programs of SNMTS by supporting resources and opportunities in educational advancement and professional development; and increasing the quantity of qualified leaders within the organization and in the field.

PDEF got off to a strong start in 2001 with a number of corporate sponsors contributing to the fund, including Capintec Inc., Covidien, GE Healthcare, and MDS Nordion. With the funds collected over the past years, SNMTS was able to expand its education offerings, as well as create several grants and awards for members. The Mickey Williams Minority Student Scholarship, which honors the memory of the 1991 SNMTS president, offers scholarship assistance for a minority student entering or enrolled in a nuclear medicine technology program. Several travel awards are given to support technologist students whose abstracts have been accepted to the SNM annual meeting. The professional development scholarship assists nuclear medicine technologists in their pursuit of a master's or doctoral degree, and the research grants support innovative research that advances knowledge of the profession in clinical practice, education, or professional development. Finally, the SNMTS Leadership Academy was created to train a select group of emerging young technologist professionals in an effort to develop future SNMTS leaders at both chapter and national levels.

In June 2011, the existing PDEF executive committee met to discuss how to restructure PDEF to make it more relevant for the current SNMTS strategic plan and future direction of the field of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. As a result, several changes were made to the structure of PDEF governance, as well as the branding for the fund.

Moving forward, the PDEF executive committee will be appointed by the SNMTS president-elect with approval by the SNMTS executive board. Appointments will be made in accordance with the SNMTS committee appointment process (beginning in the spring each year). The committee will be composed of a chairman, chair-elect, 5 SNMTS members, and the SNMTS grants and awards committee chair (ex-officio member). Each member will serve a 2-year term with a 2-term limit.

The key duties and responsibilities of the PDEF executive committee will include reviewing and determining grants provided by PDEF, approving programs and activities for PDEF fund support, assisting in identifying potential companies to solicit funds, working with the SNM development office and SNMTS leadership to solicit funds for PDEF activities and programs, and providing financial oversight and monitoring the disbursement of funds.

Along with the reorganization, PDEF will also embark on a rebranding campaign to reinvigorate the fund. This new look and feel for the PDEF will be used on a new Web site and in marketing materials that will complement a strategic fundraising plan to begin in October 2011. The basis of the fundraising plan will be to offer industry sponsors a variety of levels at which to contribute to PDEF.

As an industry technologist myself, I know that the benefits for a company of becoming a corporate sponsor are numerous. But it doesn't have to stop there! SNMTS members can now get involved too. If you would like to contribute to SNMTS PDEF, please visit the PDEF Web site (www.snm.org/PDEF) and complete the donation form. While you are there, please don't hesitate to apply for any award or grant you may be eligible for!

My goal is for PDEF to be able to sustain SNMTS for most, if not all, of its educational needs. Professional development is so important in our field, and I look forward to building on the current offerings of SNMTS through new programs and activities funded by PDEF. Be on the lookout for the launch of our new SNMTS PDEF rebranding campaign in October, and my sincere thank-you to all industry sponsors and SNMTS members for contributing to this fund!