Resident Fellow Section Annual Report
| July 1, 2007 Welcome to the Massachusetts Radiological Society Resident and Fellow Section! ACR, ABR, NERRS, ARRS, AUR, MRS, RSNA - STOP THE INSANITY! |
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Take me to RFS Website |
You may be wondering which organization is which, who you are paying money to and whether any of it is worthwhile. For overall perspective, the Massachusetts Radiological Society is the Massachusetts Chapter of the American College of Radiology (ACR). The ACR is the political arm of Radiology which is acting to protect your interests as a radiologist and the patients we serve. (This is distinct from the American Board of Radiology (ABR) who take your money and test you so you can be Board certified).
The purpose of the Residents and Fellows Section (RFS) is simple. The RFS of the Massachusetts Radiological Society (MRS) and the ACR are our most effective way to address important issues that affect radiology and radiation oncology residents. Just by being a radiology resident, you are automatically a member of the ACR and MRS (hopefully during your time as a resident you will see the value of the organizations and continue to be a member as an attending).
The RFS of the MRS is this state's branch of the national ACR RFS. The RFS is the only significant forum for radiology and radiation oncology residents to address issues that affect their education, work environment and future as practicing physicians. Recent issues that the RFS has addressed both locally and nationally include the timing of the radiology oral boards, MRI training, and the commoditization of radiology (for a summary of these issues click here). At the annual ACR meeting in May 2007 we presented arguments opposing the change in the timing of the oral boards as had been proposed by the Society of Chairmen of Acamedic Radiology Departments (SCARD). We also lobbied our federal Massachusetts legislators to keep funding for AFIP as well as to put a moratorium on the draconian cuts in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2006. This year in Massachusetts our agenda is largely open to our active membership and we encourage as many residents to get involved as possible.
The MRS and ACR have gone to great lengths to increase resident involvement such as funding two residents from each state to attend the national meeting. Massachusetts has been generous in helping to fund more people to attend - if you are interested, come to our meetings and participate! The MRS and ACR hope that by getting residents involved early, they will stay active members of the ACR and its state chapters during their careers.
I have found that getting involved with the RFS is rewarding and fun. The local and national meetings are an eye opening experience, great source of information and a wonderful way of meeting local and national residents. I urge as many people to get involved as possible. If you have questions our would like to get put on our mailing list for our meetings drop me a line at the address below.
David A. Rosman
Rosman00@lahey.org