Chapter Bios

PACIFIC SOUTHWEST CHAPTER

Description and Goals

The Pacific Southwest chapter covers southern California, southern Nevada, and all of Arizona. There are 1,347 members. Its goals for 2012 include further development of virtual meetings (a successful test of concept was held in December 2011), improvement of the Web site (nucgang.org), and planning for the second leadership conference, to be held in October.

Annual Meeting

The chapter holds an annual business meeting the first Saturday of December during the Mickey Williams Memorial Conference in Duarte, California. About 250 technologists attend every year. A popular feature is the 6-hour CE course that focuses on basic nuclear medicine technology. The largest meeting held each year is Viva Las Vegas, a weekend summer meeting that attracts almost 350 technologists because they are able to combine lots of learning with lots of pleasure (“what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”) at an affordable price. The meeting includes 12 hours of educational credit focusing on new and developmental molecular imaging technology. In addition, attendees can visit the tabletop exhibits. Following the 8-hour meeting on Saturday, the chapter hosts a cocktail party for participants.

Leadership Development and Fellows

The Pacific Southwest chapter uses the SNMTS Leadership Academy at the chapter level to attempt to develop new leaders. The chapter currently has 7 fellows.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST CHAPTER

The Pacific Northwest chapter covers a wide area: Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. There are 768 members. Its goals are to provide continuing education each year, professional networking for members and nuclear medicine students, and encouragement for future SNMTS leaders, as well as enhancing professional leadership for all members.

Annual Meeting

The chapter normally holds an annual meeting in early spring in Portland, Oregon. This year, it took place on March 10 and 11. Between 250 and 350 technologists attend each year. The meeting offers the opportunity of earning most of the required continuing education units (19 are offered) through lectures on such nuclear medicine topics as cardiology, PET/CT, and MRI. Talks on other related topics, such as the American College of Radiology, are also offered. The presenters include physicians, scientists, and technologists.

Leadership Development and Fellows

The Pacific Northwest chapter encourages nuclear medicine students to become involved in local meetings, as well exposing them to local leadership activities. The chapter also grooms younger SNM members to become a part of the SNM leadership through involvement in various committees and through running for the various offices. In addition, local leaders are groomed to become leaders at the chapter level and then the national level.

MID-EASTERN CHAPTER

Description and Goals

The Mid-Eastern chapter technologist section encompasses states that surround the Washington, DC, area and is part of Mid-Eastern Chapter Inc., whose executive director is Eleanor Dicks. Its purpose is primarily to provide the membership with continuing education focusing on advances in the imaging profession. It also informs the membership of current health-care trends and keeps an eye on any legislative initiatives. There are 851 members, and the chapter attempts to increase its membership through community involvement and awareness. It has recently started to communicate with the membership on a more frequent basis through social networking and specifically by starting a Facebook page. In addition, it supports Road Show initiatives in an attempt to meet the continuing education needs of those members who are in the hinterlands of the chapter, such as West Virginia.

Annual Meeting

Every autumn the chapter holds a technologist meeting that usually offers 7 or more continuing education units. Usually, every other year the meeting is held in Washington, DC, and then, in opposing years, the meeting migrates to other areas in the chapter, such as Maryland, Virginia, or Delaware. Attendance averages around 150 to 175, which includes strong vendor support.

Leadership Development and Fellows

Members are encouraged to become involved within the chapter, and during the last 2 years the chapter sent 3 people to the SNMTS Leadership Academy. Interested individuals usually start at a committee-level position and, with proven ability, are encouraged to move into a chair or officer position. The chapter believes that any board or officer position should be a 2-year commitment, which allows for greater continuity within the organizational structure. There are 4 fellows in the Mid-Eastern chapter.

OTHER CHAPTERS

Besides the chapters detailed above, there is an Eastern Great Lakes chapter (297 members), a Northern California chapter (631 members), and a Pittsburgh chapter (199 members).