Message from the President

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

As I write my last article for the JNMT, I have to admit that it is a bittersweet feeling. Spending this past year as SNMTS president has been an honor and privilege for me. I’ve met some amazing people and worked with many dedicated members and staff. This organization truly has our membership’s best interests in mind and is an asset to the field of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. I am excited to report to you some of our most impressive successes from the past year.

The New Professionals Task Force quickly identified ways to meet the needs of our members who are within the first 5–10 years of their career. As a result of the feedback from these members, the task force created a quarterly newsletter—The Collimator: Getting Through to New Professionals—that addresses issues and topics unique to this group. At the 2012 annual meeting, SNMTS will also host a reception for new professionals to provide a forum for them to network with the SNMTS leadership and other colleagues.

New this year, SNMTS created a graduation transition program providing discounted membership ($52) to free-trial students after graduation. SNMTS also hosted focus groups for students at chapter meetings this spring to find out what students are looking for, what their perception is of SNM, and how SNM can get them more involved early in their careers. The excellent feedback received from these sessions will be utilized to develop more student-specific resources.

In November 2011, SNMTS debuted the first Chapter Roadshow, “Imaging Effectively Through Uncertainty.” This important initiative provided a vehicle to communicate with members who are not able to attend the national meetings and gave them crucial education on radiation safety. Roadshows were held in Albany, New York; Tyler, Texas; Des Moines, Iowa; Charleston, West Virginia; and Charlotte, North Carolina. The roadshow will be presented during the annual meeting, and a recording will be available online for purchase. I would like to thank all who made donations and contributed their time to make these roadshows a success.

A vision first understood as the SHPL—State Health Policy Liaison—has now morphed into a new program with representation from almost every state. The State Technologist Advocacy Group (State TAG) is responsible for tracking and reporting on a variety of state activities, including monitoring licensing issues and legislative and regulatory initiatives. Through a dedicated State TAG Web site, members can contact their State TAG representative with questions and keep our advocacy committee informed of issues throughout the country.

One of our most exciting projects this year was the continued collaboration between SNMTS and the European Association of Nuclear Medicine Technologist Committee (EANMTC). The EANMTC asked SNMTS to coauthor its technologist guidebook, PET/CT Part III—PET/CT Radiotherapy Planning. Due out in October 2012, the book will be available free to all who attend the 2012 EANM annual meeting.

SNMTS also collaborated with the Section for Magnetic Resonance Technologists (SMRT). As it was evident that, independently, neither society could successfully educate its members about the intricate details of PET/MRI, a joint PET/MRI task force was formed with representatives from both organizations. The task force created a white paper that will be reviewed after the June meeting with the hope of identifying how we can help prepare our members to embrace this emerging technology.

The Professional Development and Education Fund (PDEF) was relaunched in September 2011. Over the past 10 years, the PDEF has evolved into a strong fundraising arm for SNMTS. PDEF programs contribute to innovative research and a more knowledgeable, advanced technologist workforce. This has direct implications for patient care and for the field of nuclear medicine. This is a huge opportunity for SNMTS to expand its professional development offerings. By giving to the PDEF, you provide learning opportunities for technologists.

It has truly been a pleasure serving as president of SNMTS. I am so proud to represent such an amazing profession. Thank you to the “Nuclear Force” (SNMTS executive board, committee chairs, and National Council of Representatives) and to the SNM leadership for the hard work, time, and effort that you put in to the success of SNMTS and the field of nuclear medicine—our members have benefited because of you! I wish our incoming president, Brenda King, CNMT, FSNMTS, my congratulations for a successful term and I pledge my continued support to her and to my beloved SNMTS.