Stable organizations can transition easily between different leaders over time, and the CAR has recently gone through such a change. At the 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting in Montréal, the CAR held a ceremonial moment to honour the next presidential transition during the CAR Awards.
Dr. Ania Kielar was handed the presidential sash and celebrated as the incoming President on stage with colleagues who have held the role before her. Dr. Kielar takes over for Dr. Soulez, whose two-year term came to a close on April 30 and who will remain on the Executive of the Board of Directors as Past-President, taking over from Dr. Michael Barry. Dr. Kielar moves into her role as President after serving as Vice-President and becomes the second woman ever to hold the position (Dr. Stephanie R. Wilson was the first woman President in 1993).
“As I stand here before you, I see I am among friends. Some of you are future friends, as I have not had the opportunity to meet you. Many of you have had a significant impact on my professional trajectory for which I am so grateful. Some of you studied with me. Others encouraged me, mentored me, supported me, and helped me in ways I cannot begin to explain,” Dr. Kielar said to the CAR Award winners and audience during her first presidential address. “As the second woman president of the CAR, and as a someone who has continuously worked simultaneously in academic and community practice, I am honoured to have the opportunity to represent all of you, from coast to coast to coast, with our amazing diversity of practice types and wide range of life experiences.”
During the final address of his term, Dr. Soulez shared warm remarks and reflected on the moments and accomplishments during his presidency that made him proud.
“I have truly enjoyed my term as CAR President. I learned a lot and I feel privileged to have served my peers over the last two years. During these two years, I realized the excellence and dedication of our radiology community across Canada. Je suis très impressionné par l’excellence de notre communauté radiologique à travers le Canada et c’est notre principal atout. Even if I, and my wife, will probably enjoy having less pressure, I should confess I am sad to be leaving this role, however, I feel very proud of what the CAR has accomplished.”
With the transition between presidents, other positions on the Executive required new candidates to take over. Dr. Alison Haris becomes the new Vice-President, and two other positions are filled by new members of the Executive: Dr. John-Paul King is the new Secretary-Treasurer and Dr. Jana Taylor is the incoming Board Meetings Chair. The Board of Directors also welcomed several new members and said goodbye to its departing members. The updated Board of Directors and their biographies can be read here.
