SNMMI-TS: 2023 Highlights and a Glimpse into 2024

Dmitry D. Beyder

It is the end of 2023, and the field of nuclear medicine, molecular imaging, and therapy is as hot as it has ever been. As your SNMMI Technologist Section president, I am thrilled to update you on our exciting progress over the past few months.

This year we have worked to connect with SNMMI-TS members through the Therapy Thursday, Advocacy Alert, and Fun Fact Friday emails. These weekly messages are SNMMI-TS member benefits that have had high engagement. In the coming weeks, we will be adding another weekly message, Tip Tuesday, an email for Technologist Students. The Tip Tuesday messaging will include resources, refreshers, and tips to help students navigate through their nuclear medicine technology program and board exams and land their dream job as a nuclear medicine technologist! As part of our effort to stay connected, we would appreciate contributions from members for these weekly messages. If you have an interesting fact about nuclear medicine or a tip for students, please let us know! The more we have, the more we can share.

Did you know that each state has a technologist advocate who is working to address issues and concerns at the state level? Grassroots advocacy actively engages the general public in reaching out to legislators and government officials to voice their concerns about significant issues. Companies, associations, and citizens are increasingly using grassroots lobbying as a means of bringing about changes in legislation, often focusing on matters of particular relevance to their communities. It can involve activities such as meetings with legislators and their staff, letter-writing campaigns, and making phone calls to federal and local offices.

This year our state Technologist Advocacy Group representatives (TAGs) have been working on licensure and recognition issues in 10 states and the U.S. capital: Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, Oregon, North Carolina, and Arizona. These efforts are closely coordinated with those of our partners from the Nuclear Medicine Technologist Certification Board (NMTCB), the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), and the American Registry for Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). We appreciate the dedication of our TAGs and partner organizations, and we encourage technologist members to connect with their state TAGs to help with local issues or to become a TAG themselves. If you have a specific question regarding licensure or scope of practice in your state, submit it to your TAG team at www.snmmi.org/TAGDirect. For further information and to identify your State TAG, visit www.snmmi.org/TAG. Your engagement can significantly impact the future of technologists in your area.

Dmitry Beyder, MPA, CNMT

The SNMMI-TS is excited to introduce a new funding program designed exclusively for our members. Set to launch in November 2023, the program invites proposals from any SNMMI-TS member for programs that would help nuclear medicine technologists. Funding of up to $15,000 will be awarded either in full to a single applicant or in part to multiple recipients, depending on the decision of the review committee. The SNMMI-TS is hoping to foster innovation and creativity that could help drive change and advancement within our field. Start thinking about what YOU can create!

In 2024, the SNMMI-TS will continue to unveil new, much-needed programs, one of which is the University of Alabama (UAB) Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Therapy Intensive Program (NMMTI), offered in collaboration with the SNMMI-TS. The mission of the program is to provide qualified individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their clinical careers while also helping them prepare for the future of nuclear medicine. The NMMTI takes a generalist approach to nuclear medicine and molecular therapy so that students can apply these skills to many areas within the field and be able to support treating physicians throughout the full cycle of radiotherapy. The week-long, fast-paced, intensive program—to take place April 29 through May 3, 2024—will include lectures, hands-on training, labs, and interactive activities. The course is open exclusively to SNMMI-TS members, and applicants must be credentialed in nuclear medicine by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. For more information, please visit https://www.uab.edu/shp/cds/nmmis/therapy-intensive-application.

As we come to the end of 2023, I want to thank all of you for your dedication, support, and participation in our exciting field and for the excellent care you provide patients every day. I am honored to serve such exceptional members. Let’s look forward to many exciting advancements in nuclear medicine, molecular imaging, and therapy in 2024!