Let’s begin with “Christmas past”. The Diagnostic Imaging (DI) Certifying Examination had its inaugural electronic edition in 2019. A record number of new radiologists were certified in 2019. Also, after years as Examination Director, Dr. John Mattoon is stepping down. The ACVR owes him a debt of gratitude for his commitment to ensuring a fair and representative test of candidates’ competencies.
Moving on to “Christmas present” (and yes, pun fully intended…): Congratulations to the first cohort of newly-minted ACVR-Equine Diagnostic Imaging (EDI) Diplomates! RSEC-EDI has also been busy developing the first set of EDI Residency Program Essentials and the first EDI residents are being selected and starting their training.
Speaking of RSEC, RSEC-Radiation Oncology (RO) is in the midst of a major revision of RO Residency Program Essentials. The RO membership will soon be asked to vote on these Essentials, with hopes to get this document finalized in early 2020. This work will further develop and maintain the highest quality RO residency programs as the specialty evolves. It is also worth a reminder that RSEC-DI undertook a similar exercise in 2018 (https://acvr.org/dashboard/resources/residency-essentials-cur/).
The new ACVR website rollout is fully underway with daily updates at the moment. We can’t thank Dr. Anthony Fischetti enough for his unwavering dedication to this project. Secretary duties have pretty much fully transitioned to Dr. Leanne Magestro, who has been a quick study in taking over from Dr. Tom Nyland. Dr. Nyland has generously offered to stay on for another year as Webmaster/Secretary Emeritus, to ensure a smooth transition.
For those of you who have not already done so, please use the new website to pay your annual dues. They are due January 1
st
. It is really easy: log in and select “Transactions” from the profile tab in the upper right hand corner. Then “Go Shop”! You can add your Annual Diplomate and Society memberships as individual items to your cart, then simply proceed to checkout. Even easier? Simply use the “Shop” icon on the left side of the dashboard.
Finally, what will “Christmas future” bring in 2020? To begin, on behalf of the ACVR, thank you to Dr. Rachel Pollard for her service as president in 2019. Rachel mentioned forward momentum and proactivity in her last newsletter entry. She was a constant and positive force, keeping the fire fueled under a number of new initiatives.
In 2020, we can look forward to the ongoing work of the Consensus Statement Oversight Committee. The next year will see us solidify our position on what constitutes a standard abdominal ultrasound examination and patient safety practices for radiation therapy. Please stay tuned for requests for your valuable input on both of these topics.
It has already been 5 years since the last ACVR-DI Job Task Analysis was completed. 2020 will see a new committee for this important undertaking. Member participation will be solicited over the coming year both for committee service and for survey input.
We can also look forward to increased collaboration with ECVDI. Initial collaborations aim to improve resident training and 2020 should see the first mock board exams to be developed by the Joint ACVR/ECVDI Resident In Training Exam Committee, as well as a North American version of RIVDI (Rounds in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging).
Other initiatives that are in store for 2020 are the new Zoo, Exotic and Wildlife Diagnostic Imaging Society (ZEWDIS!), Radiation Protection and the Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Diagnostic Imaging (AVDTI). The Radiation Protection Committee will compile the results of their survey regarding members’ perceptions on radiation safety practices, in order to promote the ACVR’s expertise and increase the ACVR’s leadership in this important area.
I look forward to representing the ACVR over the coming year and keeping our forward momentum going. I look forward to representing the ACVR over the coming year and keeping our forward momentum going. Wishing a joyful and healthy 2020 to each of you and those you love!
Kate Alexander, DMV, MS, Dipl. ACVR
