 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Thomas G. Steward, MD
I am honored and pleased to have the opportunity to serve as the President of the Ohio State Radiological Society for the coming year. Over the past two years prior bulletin articles have emphasized the organization and structure of the Ohio State Radiological Society. Many have summarized national and state issues including the ACR work on compliance, as well as numerous issues regarding state and federal legislative and regulatory actions. State and National Political Action Committees have been discussed.
As an organization, the Ohio chapter of the ACR has been having moderate overall success. As leaders of this organization, we constantly discuss the needs of the members, and what new ideas or concepts might increase membership and enthusiasm.
This year s state meeting held in Cincinnati was the most successful state annual meeting in many years. By responding to membership needs we featured nationally known speakers in Mammography over a two day period to provide 15 category CME credits. Quality and cost effective CME pushed the attendance of this meeting to well over 200. The radiology residents from around the state were treated to an interesting evening with ACR leadership (Neil Templeton, M.D., and Gary Price) at the meeting as well. The radiation oncology program information went out late this year. For that we apologize, and plan improvement next year. On that note mark your calendar now for next year, May 19-21, 2000. The Columbus meeting will take care of your ultrasound CME needs. We anticipate Cleveland 2001 will repeat the mammography needs and Cincinnati 2002 will provide focused MRI CME. Please continue to tell us what your state society can do for you!
Increased membership and improved communication are two goals for next year. I would like to grow our membership to nearly 100% of the eligible radiologists in the state of Ohio. To do this we need to maintain relevance to our membership. Aside from the obvious need for functioning committees especially legislative and state government regulation, three other areas of benefit need to be stressed regarding our organization.
1. The gathering of radiologists statewide three times a year provides invaluable formal and informal interactions creating relationships to discuss very real local problems throughout the state. The mechanism of dealing with these problems and the experience in solving them creates valuable networks of communication between radiology groups around the state.
2. The evolution of our political system as a significant vehicle in driving the future practice of radiology is readily apparent. The legislative committees at the Ohio State Radiological Society provided information to the legislators with basic lobbying efforts. However, the OSRS must have a political action committee to allow a vehicle where real dollars can provide real access to political figures in our state. Many of our perceived competitors in the political arena give 10% or more of their income per year to this effort. This issue is also emphasized nationally with the development and needs of the American College of Radiology s Radiology Advocacy Alliance (RAA). The RAA is the vehicle that is introducing a national PAC for radiology.
3. The third area of relevance to our members is in the very important concept of giving volunteer time and energy back to your profession for the long-term greater good of radiology and medicine for your patients. Time constraints are great for all of us. Certainly maintaining the quality of your profession should be high on your list of interests.
Aside from membership levels in the OSRS near 100% for all licensed radiologists in the state of Ohio. I would also like to ask each member to consider whether they or any member of their group or community has the background to consider fellowship to the American College of Radiology. This special honor is afforded to less than 10% of radiologists around the country and I suspect many in the state of Ohio are qualified. Please call the state chapter number or E-mail us if you need more information. Also, please note in the bulletin a summary of the guidelines for fellowship.
Also, communication between the OSRS and our membership will be dramatically improved with the new E-mail address provided here (OSRS@OSMA.org) and described in another article elsewhere in the bulletin. This will be a valuable tool to communicate with state leaders and executive council members.
Please send in the enclosed card with this bulletin with your E-mail address. Please also amend addresses and consider including both a business and a home address starring (*) your preferred mailing address. I also would like to encourage younger physicians in the state in all geographic areas to consider membership at the executive council level. Serving on committees or subcommittees is an excellent way to be more active in your state society. The OSRS attempts to include all interested physicians from all geographic areas. This is an excellent way to gain experience toward ACR fellowship. E-mail us or contact your counselors in your area for further information.
Also, please put on your calendar if possible, the 75th ACR Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., September 25-29, 1999. A 75th anniversary party is planned Sunday, September 26, 1999 that will be quite exciting. |
