Welcome from the Tech Section President

Rebecca Sajdak, CNMT
2005-2006 Technologist Section President

As current President of the CSNMTS, I would like to welcome everyone to our first electronic newsletter. The central chapter is now in its 50th year- what an exciting time to be a technologist and to experience exciting changes in the field of nuclear medicine technology! It seems that we are constantly approaching new horizons, and the bar is constantly being raised.

Presently we are at the forefront of PET imaging, radioimmunotherapy, and molecular imaging, just to name a few. This is probably the most exciting time in Nuclear Medicine since SPECT replaced planar imaging.

The personal challenge to today’s technologist is to maintain the desire to advance and to learn in the ever-changing environment in which we work. Our responsibilities in this labor-intensive field are both physically and mentally demanding, with highly sophisticated apparatus to operate and complex computer software to master.

Nuclear Medicine science is moving at a rapid pace, requiring technologists to constantly educate themselves and to stay current on technology. The modern technologist has progressed to new levels in order to meet the challenges occurring in the field. Success today involves a juggling act, requiring outstanding patient care while dealing with technical, administrative, secretarial and management issues.

At our first ever meeting attended by all chapter presidents countrywide and representatives of the national office of the Society of Nuclear Medicine, current issues and needs were discussed (watch for a report of this meeting soon in an upcoming newsletter).

All chapters appear to be experiencing the same difficulties: communication was a central theme, with representatives from all chapters agreeing that the nuclear community as a whole needs added support from our members to communicate new ideas and techniques, universalize protocols and disseminate knowledge to one another. I am impressed by how many dedicated peers have the same needs and desires as the technologists that I work with every day.

Please feel free to use the central chapter web site to convey your professional ideas; in addition, consider becoming a member of a committee at the local level in order to become an active member in the nuclear medicine community. There is always the need for dedicated people with good ideas. Your participation can help to keep nuclear medicine in the forefront of diagnostic imaging.

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