State of the Central Chapter Technologist Section

By Paul Reaume; B.S. CNMT, ARRT (R,N) President, Central Chapter Technologist Section

Paul Reaume I am proud to inform that your technologist section of the Central Chapter of the Society of Nuclear Medicine is very healthy. The areas we are excelling in are membership, leadership and quality of scientific programs. We are the largest chapter of all 13 chapters in the society with a robust 1475 members. We are ahead of the Southeastern Chapter by 184 members.

In March you elected a new Executive Council and you are represented by 8 very talented and energetic men and women who bring talent from all areas of the nuclear medicine community. We have a combination of talent from staff technologist, senior technologists, managers, educators, researcher, quality control and people who work in hospitals, clinics and sales. The advantage of having such a diverse representation is that your area with all of your special challenges is being represented and to make sure your point(s) of view are being heard.

I want to remind you that your board works for you and please support us with your ideas, concern, your wants and needs about any issues or topics that you want to have addressed. We are only as good as you want us to represent you at the chapter level and/or the National level.

Just brief reminder that the National governance meetings will be May 30 through June 2, 2007 in Washington, DC. Please plan to attend or convey your ideas, questions, concerns and/or wants to me, Lyn Mehlberg who is our National Council Representative or any member of the Executive Council. At the National governance meeting there will be representatives from the National Society level, leaders from all aspect of the Nuclear Medicine community and if you have an idea or a question that you want to have it addressed by the National leadership or scientific community please let us know so we can represent you and get it addressed and then an answer back to you.

The 2007 Annual Spring Scientific program was a variety of scientific papers and presentations. The topics covered were:

The profession of nuclear medicine is transtioning from a functional to a molecular imaging modality; and what are the barriers to the transition.
The latest in SPECT/CT and PET/CT protocols and procedures as well as the future advances in cameras, radiopharmaceuticals and software technology.
SPECT/ CT and PET/CT reading with the experts.
The potential of MIBG in nuclear cardiology.
Recent changes in Coding and reimbursement of nuclear medicine procedures.

When we received the evaluations there was an overwhelming approval for the quality of the presentations and the speakers.

At the Central Chapter level we have some areas that I want to help improve for you and the membership so that we as the Central Chapter will continue to grow and thrive during these times of transition. The first is an increase of communication from the Central Chapter committees to you the membership. This will come in the form of emails, letters to your home, letters in the ammo boxes at work and reaching out to you in the form of phone contacts at work or home. The purpose of these contacts will be put in place a way to increase your awareness about new challenge(s) and/or to get your input about a program or initiative that the Central Chapter wants to improve on.

Please do not consider this to be intrusive but as a complimentary service and to know we are interested in your current and future issues and concerns. In addition we want you to know what we are doing for you and we want to know what you are thinking and feeling about a special issue(s), challenge(s), concern(s) or product(s) in the form of CE credits or informational gatherings.

The second area of improvement will be a new leadership development program for the Central Chapter. This program was originally designed and created by our own Lyn Mehlberg and was used at the National level to mentor new leaders. I am proud to have Lyn’s help and information on implementing this important program. The value in this program will continue to encourage new participation in many of our long-standing committees and/or to start new projects.

I feel that our members have a lot of talent and leadership and we want to foster their talent and to support them in becoming the true leaders they were meant to be. This will benefit them and then benefit the Central Chapter and possibly onto the National level. This program will support and develop members as new committee members or into leadership positions within the Central Chapter Technologist Section. The program is based on developing a mentorship between a new committee member and a leader who will provide information about what is expected and guidance on relevant issues and topics that the new member(s) will need to know in order to perform the project or task. The program will consist of special email contact, conference calls and special gatherings at the Central Chapter’s meeting(s). The program is designed to be informative, supportive, personal growth stretching and provide a social aspect.

We are looking for members NOW who are interested in this special and supportive challenge. Please contact me for more information at Paul_Reaume@comcast.net. Thank you for your help and assistance in helping the Central Chapter Technologist Section grow and thrive during these times of transition.