Dispatches December 2023

This wrap-up features articles and links on several topics, including: 

• Lung Cancer Screening Day Celebrated Across the Globe 
• Healthcare Workers vs. Hunger 2023 Raises Money to Fight Food Insecurity
• President Biden Issues ‘Landmark’ Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence 
• RLI Podcast Flips the Script with Interview of Taking the Lead Host
• Medical Students Invited to Virtual 2024 Symposium in January
• Register for the 2024 SBI Breast Imaging Symposium
• New: CPI Obstetric & Gynecologic Imaging Special Edition Module
• Save on 2024 In-Person Courses at the ACR Education Center 
• 2024 Chapter Grant Program Now Accepting Applications

Lung Cancer Screening Day Celebrated Across the Globe 

For the second year in a row, the ACR, the Radiology Health Equity Coalition, the American Cancer Society National Lung Cancer Roundtable and the GO2 Foundation all came together for a common cause: Lung Cancer Screening Day. The initiative took place on Saturday, Nov. 11, to allow patients access to low-dose CT (LDCT) lung cancer screenings on a Saturday so they could attend without needing to take off work. 

The impact of detection through LDCT has been notable, with an 81% 20-year survival rate as compared to 16% five-year survival through other means, according to ACR CEO William T. Thorwarth Jr., MD, FACR.

The movement has gained widespread attention. The CBS TV affiliate in Chicago aired a video package on the event that credited Tiffany Gowen, MHA, director of the  ACR’s Commission on Patient- and Family-Center Care, for her efforts in helping organize Lung Cancer Screening Day. 

Keep an eye out for next month’s Dispatches section for an updated piece with statistics from the event. For more information on the ACR’s lung cancer screening tools, visit the ACR website.

Healthcare Workers vs. Hunger 2023 Raises Money to Fight Food Insecurity

As part of a now-annual tradition following Thanksgiving and during the RSNA annual meeting, Team #RadsforFood will be raising money as part of Healthcare Workers vs. Hunger to fight food insecurity and hunger in the U.S. 

During this friendly competition on social media channel X, multiple teams made up of various healthcare workers and medical specialties will compete fiercely as they donate money directly to food banks of their choice from Nov. 27 to Dec. 3. Individual donors submit proof of their contributions on the HCWvsHunger.org website and log them under their affiliated teams. The specialty team with the highest number of donations wins the coveted glass apple and major bragging rights. 

Food insecurity is at an all-time high level in the U.S., according to a recent report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Donating directly to food banks is the most economically sound and effective way to get healthy and nutritious food to those in need. Food insecurity continues to be linked to multiple health outcomes, so this is an easy way to advocate for patients.

Radiology’s team #RadsForFood raised more than $175,000 last year for various food banks across the country. Follow @HCWvsHunger and #RadsforFood team captain @kemimdrad for more details on X as they try to exceed last year’s figure. 

Get some gear, too, and show your support.

President Biden Issues ‘Landmark’ Executive Order on AI

On Oct. 30, 2023, President Joe Biden issued an executive order claiming that the U.S. will lead the way in AI. Biden promises to both seize the promise and control any issues regarding AI, planning to enact new standards for AI security and safety, protect privacy, advance equity and more. This includes responsible AI use within healthcare, which will impact radiologists across the country. Biden also wants to develop guidelines for best practices in the use of AI that get the most out of the technology as possible — while also addressing labor standards, workplace health and more.

Using the National AI Research Resource, a pilot program focuses on giving scientists access to resources, data and grant opportunities surrounding AI. In addition, the order requires companies that have developed the most powerful AI systems to share safety test results and other vital data with the government. 

Read the full article from Radiology Business. Read the full White House fact sheet.

RLI Podcast Flips the Script with Interview of Taking the Lead Host

In the November episode of the ACR Radiology Leadership Institute^® (RLI) Taking the Lead podcast, the program’s host, Geoffrey D. Rubin, MD, MBA, FACR, handed over the microphone and became the interviewee instead. Rasu B. Shrestha, MD, MBA, executive vice president and chief strategy and transformation officer of Atrium Health, interviewed Rubin, who is a professor and chair of the medical imaging department at the University of Arizona. The episode focused what makes Rubin tick, what led him to pursue a career in radiology, what he loves most about hosting the podcast, the importance of leadership training and lessons learned along the way.  

Listen to the podcast to learn interesting facts about the man behind the microphone. Also check out a Bulletin interview with Rubin about a recent Centennial Perspectives podcast project featuring two panels: one with more experienced radiologists and the other with rising leaders in the specialty.

Medical Students Invited to Virtual 2024 Symposium in January

The 2024 ACR RFS Medical Student Symposium, a one-day virtual experience organized for and by medical students, will take place on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, from noon to 4 p.m.

Throughout the day, attendees will explore the field of radiology and hear from a diverse group of speakers on topics that include matching into radiology, subspecialties in radiology and the future of radiology. 

This year’s keynote speaker is ACR President William T. Herrington, MD, FACR. The topic of his speech is  “Why Women Should Choose Radiology as a Specialty.”

Learn more about the event and register today. 

Register for the 2024 SBI Breast Imaging Symposium

Registration is open for the 2024 SBI Breast Imaging Symposium, April 11–14, 2024, at the Montréal Convention Centre in Montréal, Quebec, Canada. This meeting will be held in affiliation with the Canadian Society of Breast Imaging. The planning committee has organized four dedicated afternoon tracks where you can delve into hot topics.

Join your colleagues and learn how to improve your interpretive accuracy using all modalities. Explore how to apply new technologies to your practice. Learn about the clinical implementation of AI systems during the plenary sessions and over two afternoon AI track offerings. Discover ways to care for patients while making your practice more efficient.

The event is designed to offer new strategies for attendees to bolster their careers, find new ways to work and practice personal wellness.

Learn more and register.

New: CPI Obstetric and Gynecologic Imaging Special Edition Module

A newly released special edition self-assessment module will help you assess your obstetric and gynecologic (OB/GYN) imaging knowledge and earn 8 CME. Part of the ACR Continuous Professional Improvement (CPI) program, the module features more than 250 multi-modality images using 2D and 3D US, color and spectral Doppler US, MRI, CT, PET/CT, sonohysterography and hysterosalpingography. 

Learn more about the module and its features.

Save on 2024 In-Person Courses at the ACR Education Center 

Invest in your education in 2024 by attending immersive, hands-on classes at the ACR Education Center. With high-caliber courses and access to emerging clinical information in a variety of specialized fields, you’ll be able to work through new and challenging cases with individualized faculty support.

Early-bird pricing is available through Dec. 31. Register now to get the lowest prices ever with a savings of up to $600. Explore the full course offerings and save your seat.

ACR Chapter Grant Program Now Accepting Applications

For chapters looking to fund their programs and initiatives, the ACR Chapter Grant Program is now accepting applications for 2024. The program was developed to provide financial assistance for innovative and knowledge-sharing chapter initiatives. This year, the ACR has allocated $30,000 for all chapter grants awarded through the program. 

If you wish to apply, please consider the following guidelines:

• Electronic applications must be submitted by Feb. 16, 2024.
• Chapters may submit only one application per award year.
• The effort should not duplicate any existing ACR initiatives. 

Read the complete program guidelines and submit your chapter application.