Mark H. Crosthwaite, CNMT, FSNMMI-TS
In October of this year I had an amazing opportunity to represent the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Technologist Section (SNMMI-TS) at the Congress of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) in Barcelona. Our president-elect, Tina Buehner, MS, CNMT, NMTCB(CT)(RS), RT(N)(CT), FSNMMI-TS, was also part of the SNMMI-TS contingent, and I was very grateful that she was able to join me.
So—why attend the EANM meeting?
For starters, Tina and I were able to meet and work with technologist colleagues from around the globe, building a foundation for future activity and collaboration. A special thanks to Andrea Santos, chair of the EANM Technologist Committee, and her colleagues for making us feel like we were part of the family.
The focus of our activity was the Nuclear Medicine Global Initiative. This concept, originated by the SNMMI, brings together nuclear medicine organizations around the world to discuss challenges and promises in the future of nuclear medicine. The group has undertaken projects of mutual importance, such as harmonization of pediatric administered activity guidelines, worldwide availability of radiopharmaceuticals, and, most recently, theranostics.
SNMMI-TS is working to mirror this effort with the Technologist Global Initiative (TGI). We will bring together technologist representatives for the first official TGI meeting during the 2020 SNMMI Annual Meeting in New Orleans next June.
Many challenges are involved in such a project. Technologists in other countries have a variety of skill sets and frameworks. Some have a “Ministry of Health” that recognizes only nuclear medicine physicians, not technologists. In other countries, there is strong feeling that the word technologist lacks professionalism. Perhaps the biggest challenge of all is the diversity of languages and resulting barrier to communication.
During the EANM meeting, some initial discussion between technologist international leaders focused on developing multilingual online training and creating a reporting mechanism for adverse events. We will keep you up-to-date as the many layers of this project unfold.
The EANM meeting included many booths from professional societies around the world. This provided Tina and I an excellent opportunity to visit many of them, initiating further relationships and hopefully generating interest in participating in the TGI.
Looking forward to next year’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, the SNMMI-TS is very excited to also be congratulating the ANZSNM on its 50th anniversary! This is truly a time for celebration with the field, and we are excited to be able to welcome many of our international colleagues to celebrate with us next year!
When I reflect back on this meeting, I realize how proud I am of the SNMMI-TS and the SNMMI. We are grateful to the SNMMI leadership, who continue to encourage our efforts both domestically and internationally. SNMMI President Vasken Dilsizian, MD, has been truly supportive of the Technologist Section, and his accolades were mentioned to us by our colleagues at ANZSNM. I truly believe that we are moving forward together, sharing ideas, projects, and friendship.
In 2019–2020, we have a plethora of opportunities. Working together, learning from each other, and sharing ideas will make us a better society and, ultimately, will improve our patient outcomes.
I am honored to be a nuclear medicine technologist and your president. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. If you have ideas or a question or just need to pick my brain, you are always welcome to contact me at mhcrosthwait{at}vcu.edu.
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