"One voice on behalf of medical imaging research funding through collaborative advocacy." |
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Each year the Academy facilitates a series of events and meetings that brings together our diverse stakeholder community for the purpose of advocacy, research discussion, and collaboration, strengthening our collective voice in support of medical imaging research. The Academy’s events are unique in that they engage federal agencies, policy makers, patient advocates, industry, and academic researchers from both radiology and pathology at every level of our efforts as partners.
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Additionally, vital to the future of medical imaging research is the participation of investigators at every level of research, including our Council of Early Career Investigators in Imaging. We hope you enjoy this summary of our spring events, and we appreciate and value the support of all our member departments, societies, and companies. |
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Council of Early Career Investigators in Imaging (CECI2) |
Members of the Academy's 2024-25 Council of Early Career Investigators in Imaging Class |
This year our CECI2 class represented 33 Academic Institutions, 11 Imaging Societies, and 2 Industry Partners. In addition to providing these Early Career Investigators with the opportunity to join us for a week of advocacy in Washington, DC, the Academy offers year-long virtual programming to fit their current professional needs and interests.
Learn more about the Academy's CECI2 program on our website. |
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Academy RSNA Research Roundtable Discussion |
Academy/RSNA Research Roundtable Discussion attendees participate in breakout discussion groups |
The Academy and the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) hosted a Research Roundtable Discussion at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. This event is unique in that the attendees from the fields of imaging and pathology include industry and federal agency representatives, as well as academic researchers from early career investigators to Department Chairs. The purpose is to create a deeper, collective understanding of their mutual worlds and how academia, industry, and government agencies can collaborate more effectively to better our research community.
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The first discussion topic was “Bridging Industry and Academia to Implement AI Clinical Translation in Medical Imaging” led by Woojin Kim, MD, Chief Medical Officer, American College of Radiology Data Science Institute; Nina Kottler, MD, MS, FSIIM, Associate Chief Medical Officer, Clinical AI, Radiology Partners; and Alexander Towbin, MD, Associate Chief Medical Information Officer, Imaging, Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
The second discussion topic was “Crafting the Value Proposition for Federal Investment in Medical Imaging R&D,” led by Erin Angel, PhD, FAAPM, VP Global Research & Scientific Affairs, GE HealthCare; Pari Pandharipande, MD, Chair, Department of Radiology, The Ohio State University; and Mitchell Schnall, MD, PhD, Senior Vice President for Data and Technology Solutions and Professor, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania.
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| Dr. Pari Pandharipande (OSU) presents at the Academy/RSNA Research Roundtable Discussion |
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The Academy will summarize these discussions in writing and utilize the findings for continued advocacy in support of research funding. Updates on our progress can be found here. |
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Capitol Hill Advocacy Day |
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From left to right: Dr. Tyler Richards (Univ. of Utah), Rep. John Curtis (R-UT), Dr. Satoshi Minoshima (Univ. of Utah), and Katie Grady (ACR) |
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Last week, the Academy facilitated more than 110 Congressional office visits for members of our CECI2 class, Academy leadership, and our industry partners. This year’s 55 participants came from 35 Universities, 24 states and 7 companies. Each participant chose from several issues of importance to them and their institution, ranging from overall NIH funding, the role of facilities and administrative costs, their personal research interests and goals, the impact of imaging technology on patient care and the vital collaborative role of industry partnership.
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Following these initial meetings, each participant is encouraged to maintain relationships with their Representatives’ offices and follow up on their progress with federal funding and its impact on patients and the economy. The Academy will continue to facilitate both in person and virtual Congressional meetings throughout the year. |
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From left to right: Dr. Libby O'Hare (RSNA), Dr. Robert Smalley (SPR/BAMC), Dr. Florence Chiang (UT Southwestern), Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Dr. Chengyue Wu (MD Anderson), and Dr. Muhammad Awiwi (UT Houston) |
| From left to right: Dr. Meher Juttukonda (MGH), Dr. Pari Pandharipande (OSU), Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), Dr. Andrew Smith (St. Jude Children's), and Dr. Alexander Towbin (Cinn. Children's) |
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Academy Medical Imaging Technology Showcase |
Dr. Wenhui Zhou (SNMMI/Stanford) and Dr. Michael Germuska (UC Davis) share their research with MedTech attendees |
The Academy hosted the MedTech this year in the Rayburn House Office Building where 30 CECI2 members came prepared to discuss their research with policy makers. |
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Dr. Brian Burkett (Mayo) meets with Congressional staff |
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The purpose of this annual event is to illustrate to a lay audience the importance of medical imaging research, what it is, and how scientific advances impact patient care. Congressional Representatives and staff from more than 30 offices and three Congressional Committees attended.
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Two patient keynote speakers, identified by founding Academy member society the Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), shared their personal stories with attendees, putting a human face on the innovation and technology showcased. Michael “Bing” Crosby, a former F-14 Tomcat pilot and Founder of Veterans Prostate Cancer Awareness, discussed his experience with prostate cancer. Brittany McKelvey, PhD spoke about her experience surviving thyroid cancer and how she now works in regulatory and science policy advocating for patients.
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MedTech Patient Speaker Michael "Bing" Crosby |
| MedTech Patient Speaker Dr. Brittany McKelvey |
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From left to right: Dr. Norman Scheel (MSU), Dr. Alex Smith (GEHC), Dr. Jun Hong (AAPM/MD Anderson), and Dr. Robert Smalley (SPR/BAMC) |
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Appreciation to the office of Representative Jasmine Crockett for hosting the space for our event. |
Friends of NIBIB (FoNIBIB) |
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The Academy is joining forces with the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) to initiate a “Friends of NIBIB” collaboration to ensure that the innovative work of the NIBIB is highlighted and advocated for on behalf of our community.
FoNIBIB will officially launch in April. The goal is to organize congressional tours of NIBIB, host technology demonstrations, and congressional briefings. This is a unique approach to advocate for the NIBIB by serving as a bridge between the NIBIB and supportive organizations and groups in order to promote and advocate for the Institute.
You can find additional information soon at friendsofnibib.org. |
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From left to right: Dr. Florence Doo (Univ. of Maryland), Academy CIBR Chair Dr. Ruth Carlos (Columbia), and Dr. Farouk Dako (RSNA/U Penn) |
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From left to right: Michael "Bing" Crosby, Academy President Dr. Pamela Woodard (WashU), Academy Executive Director Renee Cruea, and Dr. Brittany McKelvey |
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Thank you for your support of the Academy and our mission. It is more important than ever to ensure that we work collectively to create a fuller understanding among policy makers and agency leaders of the innovative scientific medical imaging research taking place within each of your departments. The Academy relies on societies, radiology departments, industry and patient advocacy groups to support our advocacy for continued research funding, as it is crucial for scientific progress, innovation, and societal benefit and requires a coordinated effort to secure needed resources. Thank you to those leaders who recognize the value of one collective voice for this community.
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