Amy L. Kotsenas, MD, FACR, American College of Radiology® (ACR®) Council Speaker, contributed this piece.
As I step into the role of ACR Council Speaker, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for all who have contributed to the success of our second virtual annual meeting. ACR 2021 included a robust agenda full of opportunities to engage with ACR governance, advocacy, health equity efforts and more.
The ACR Council worked tirelessly to consider 48 resolutions, adopting a total of 44. The vote to adopt Resolution 48 supports parental, caregiver and medical leave during training residents in diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology, radiation oncology and nuclear medicine. The resolution includes support for 12 weeks of family/medical leave for residents without extension of training. Additional information on Council activity is available on acr.org and in the Report of Final Council Action (login required).
After an exciting election with a runoff, the ACR introduced several new officers. Internationally renowned radiologist and ultrasound expert Beverly G. Coleman, MD, FACR, was elected president – the first African-American in the nearly 100-year history of the ACR. I look forward to working with Dr. Coleman in the coming year.
The ACR proudly recognized a record 156 fellows during the virtual Convocation ceremony. These honorees are members in good standing who have demonstrated a history of service to the ACR, organized radiology, research or teaching. Only 10% of members have been awarded fellowship. Congratulations to this year’s recipients!
Gregory N. Nicola, MD, FACR, and William Donovan, MD, FACR, led the Economics Forum, which provided a venue to walk through the process from the time that a billable code is introduced or re-evaluated, through the actual valuation of a service. We also learned about change on the horizon in regard to payment for use of artificial intelligence, the trend toward corporatizations, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the future of teleradiology.
Health equity remains of paramount urgency for the ACR, as highlighted in several sessions, including a two-part CME opportunity focused on health equity and the Moreton Lecture. In her Presidential Address, Geraldine McGinty, MD, MBA, FACR, challenged radiology professionals to act to advance health equity in her Presidential Address, unveiling the Radiology Health Equity Coalition. This new, community-wide effort supports radiologists who aim to address health disparities in research, advocacy efforts, artificial intelligence development and medical student recruitment. I encourage you to learn more about the coalition, and commit to act today.
During the Moreton Lecture, Reshma Jagsi, MD, DPhil, presented a data-driven view of just how equitable the fields really are — or are not — and challenged attendees to think about how we can all do more to improve equity in our practices.
The success of this year’s meeting was made possible by the hard work and collaboration of ACR staff working alongside, you, our volunteers. I would especially like to thank the ACR Governance staff, Trina Behbahani, CAE, Catherine Herse and Tom Hoffman, JD, CAE, as well as Mr. Jim Jones, our parliamentarian and my predecessor, Richard Duszak Jr., MD, FACR. The work of this dedicated team at command central in Reston was critical to another successful annual meeting.
As we move forward on the heels of ACR 2021, I’m eager to get to work to further support our radiology community. I’m truly looking forward to what we will accomplish together over the next few years, and don’t forget – save the date for ACR 2022, April 24 to 28. I look forward to seeing you back at the Washington Hilton!
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