Dear Members of the Michigan Radiological Society, Please allow me to thank all of you for the opportunity to serve you as President this year (2013-2014). Please join me in thanking Dr. Biren Shah, MD for his outstanding service as President. His will be a tough act to follow. Thanks to all of the Board of Trustees and the past-presidents. Special congratulations go to our new gold medalists: N. Reed Dunnick, MD, FACR and Charles Luttenton, MD, FACR.
The MRS now ranks at the top of radiological societies as evidenced by the ‘Overall Excellence Award’ bestowed on us by the American College of Radiology – a truly prestigious honor.
Please welcome the new officers for the coming year: President-Elect: Dr. Joe Junewick, MD, FACR; Vice-President: Dr. Gaurang Shah, MD; Secretary: Dr. Michael Kasotakis, MD, and Treasurer: Roger Gonda Jr, MD, FACR. This is a great team that is already hard at work preparing for the coming year.
As always, we anticipate presenting outstanding activities all year long. In keeping with our goal to represent Radiologists throughout Michigan, this year the MRS sessions will visit not only Plymouth, Lansing, and Flint, but also Grand Rapids.
A few educational dates to keep free —
- October 9th 2013 please join us at the ‘Fall CME’ at the Henry Center in East Lansing, as Dr. Al Blumberg will make his address to our society.
- March 6th 2014 the 78th Annual Preston Hickey Lecture will take place March 6th 2014 at the Inn at St Johns in Plymouth with keynote presenter Dr. Richard Gunderman.
- April 3rd 2014 the 7th Annual Joint Conference with the Saginaw Valley Radiological Society will be held in Flint. Program to be announced.
- May 22nd 2014, we visit Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids for the Gold Medal Presentation with featured speaker James Donaldson MD.
- November 8-9th 2014, the Breast Imaging Conference is scheduled at the Inn at St. Johns.
Please visit our website and consult our newsletter to get details on all activities . Pre-register for the conferences on the website and view the CME lectures virtually. Information is available regarding the ‘Young and Early Career Physicians Meeting’, the ‘17th Annual Resident Conference and Research Forum’, and dates and times for the MSMS, AMCLC, and MRS Board Meetings.
It should be noted that our legislative affairs committee is expected to continue to be busy in the coming year. This group is chaired by Dr. Gaurang Shah, MD, and advised by Jim Cavanagh, JD, MRS Lobbyist, who monitor issues that directly affect Radiology and Radiation Oncology in Michigan. Current important topics include proposed legislation on ‘breast density’ and nurse practitioners ‘expansion of practice’. This committee monitors ‘certificate of need’ activities and actions related to Radiology as well.
It is my opinion that the MRS offers a great deal to Radiation Oncologists as well as Diagnostic Radiologists. Our ongoing effort to engage these specialists and residents to be active members of the MRS and MRS board will continue under my tenure.
Reimbursement is key to insure the future of Radiology and the best and safest practices for taking care of patients. Together with Dr’s Kevin O’Brien MD, FACR and Joe Junewick MD, FACR, I recently attended a meeting with MRS and representatives from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan and the Radiologic Business Managers of Michigan. An amazing learning experience. This important dialogue will be of critical importance in the near future – with new measures planned for specialists to qualify for incentive or tiered payments. Stay tuned for more on this.
I was honored to become an officer of the MRS – it is humbling to become your President. Please lend me all your support.