What Does an SNM Name Change Mean to SNMTS?

Ann Marie Alessi

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

SNM has completed its 5-year campaign to embrace all molecular imaging modalities just as the Society's 60th anniversary is rapidly approaching. As a specialty, nuclear medicine arose from the application of sophisticated technology providing a unique ability to image function and physiologic processes. Nuclear medicine also provided ways to treat diseases such as thyroid disease and non-Hodgkin lymphoma by utilizing radioactive medicines that specifically targeted fundamental aspects of the organ's physiology or the pathophysiology of the disease. Over the past 5 years, we have incorporated nonnuclear molecular imaging technologies into SNM and SNMTS scientific and educational programs and publications. This transition was quite natural, as we came to realize that molecular imaging and therapy have always been integral parts of our specialty. During this time, the SNM board of directors also approved using the acronym SNM in place of the full name and added a tagline, “Advancing Molecular Imaging and Therapy.”

In 2007, SNMTS had already recognized the importance of including these nonnuclear imaging fields within the Society. When SNM rebranded to include molecular imaging, SNMTS revised its bylaws to include “related fields.” This revision, approved by the SNMTS membership, allowed for new membership categories to be created for laboratory professionals. With the approval of the new membership categories, and the amendments to the SNMTS bylaws, SNMTS has been fortunate to welcome several new members within this category.

Over the past several months, SNM has been considering a name change to accurately reflect the Society and where it is headed. As such, “Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging” (SNMI) has been suggested as a new name for our organization. This name retains our identity while opening our arms to new possibilities and members, such as scientists, technologists, clinicians, and laboratory professionals whose primary focus is nonnuclear molecular imaging. The proposed name recognizes our growing diversity in imaging, nuclear and nonnuclear, molecular and nonmolecular. It also recognizes the therapeutic and medicinal aspects of our specialty by retaining the words “nuclear medicine.”

The name change recommendation was officially presented to the SNM board of directors in April. In May, SNM began the process of soliciting feedback from members about the name change. The SNMTS newsletter, Uptake, included an article on the name change in the May/June issue, and a Newsline article in the May issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine provided background on the situation and asked for member input. SNM also utilized its social media efforts to gather opinions on the name change. In total, over 325 responses were received from members, all of which were reviewed by the SNM name change task force. In general, almost 75% of the feedback was in favor of a name change.

To further explore the membership's feelings on the name change, the December issue of JNM includes a point–counterpoint article in Newsline. One physician and one technologist will contribute their thoughts on the positive aspects of the name change, whereas another physician and another technologist will voice their opinions on why a name change may not be in the best interest of the Society. We hope that by sharing these opinions we will be able to gather additional feedback that will help guide us in our decision.

Changing the name of the organization is not a process that is taken lightly and requires a change to the bylaws. SNM has begun this process with the approval of a name change by the board of directors. The proposal has been sent to the bylaws committee, and the bylaws committee has officially proposed the change, to the SNM membership, in the notification included in this issue of the JNM. This process is in accordance with that outlined in the bylaws for amendments; members will be notified 60 days before the house-of-delegates meeting in which the vote will take place; the next meeting of the house of delegates will take place on January 28, 2012, at the SNM mid-winter meeting in Orlando, Florida. The house of delegates is the governing body that makes the final decision regarding any bylaws amendments.

So what does this all mean for SNMTS members? Similarly, SNMTS must also amend its bylaws to incorporate the name change. The proposal has been sent to the SNMTS bylaws committee, and the bylaws committee will be officially proposing the change to NCOR during the mid-winter meeting. Proposed amendments approved by NCOR will be submitted to the membership during the national election process. Ballots must be returned, in the manner prescribed, no later than 30 days before the annual meeting of SNM. A majority vote (in the affirmative) of the returned valid ballots is required to amend bylaws of the section. If the name change is approved, a new logo will be developed and the acronym for SNMTS will be updated to SNMITS.

Subsequently, if the SNM bylaws amendment is approved, SNM will be required to amend its articles of incorporation in order to change the entity's name. SNM is incorporated in the state of Washington, which requires that an amendment to articles of incorporation be approved at a meeting of members.

If the bylaws change is approved during the meeting of the house of delegates, SNM will utilize the SNM business meeting, held during the SNM annual meeting in Miami, Florida, on June 8, 2012, as the forum in which to vote on the amendment to the articles of incorporation. The SNM national office will send the notice of the meeting to all voting members of SNM (full members, associate members, and emeritus members who were members of full or associate categories at the time of emeritus status).

Many individuals have expressed concerns about the expenses to SNMTS associated with a name change. In the November issue of the JNM Newsline, Carolyn Anderson, PhD, name change task force chair, outlined the specific costs associated with the proposed change. If the change happens in this fiscal year, SNMTS will incur only the expense of ordering letterhead (less than $500), as the SNM/SNMTS management agreement has already been finalized for fiscal year 2012, and the fee will be a fixed fee. However, if some (or all) of the changes with respect to the name change do not happen until after September 30, 2012, then a portion (not to exceed 51%) of the $10,950 (mentioned in Dr. Anderson's article) will be included in the SNM/SNMTS management agreement.

In terms of the programs and activities of SNMTS, changing the name would perhaps lead to the development of more specialty committees focused on optical imaging, as well as the incorporation of more continuing education courses on molecular imaging for technologists. Ultimately, SNMTS would receive higher visibility within the molecular imaging community and a more diverse membership.

We continue to encourage members to share their thoughts on the possibility of changing the name of SNM to the “Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging.” If you have comments to share at any time, please email us (feedback{at}snm.org). You may also contact your chapter or SNMTS delegates to the house of delegates. A full listing of delegates can be found on the SNM Web site (www.snm.org/namechange). I really want to hear what you have to say!