It is with considerable excitement that I embark on my new role as CAR President. After having served on the CAR Board of Directors for many years as a director, treasurer and vice-president, I feel that I am ready to take over the reins from my esteemed colleague and friend Dr. Emil Lee.
I would like to acknowledge Dr. Lee and all the accomplishments he has achieved during his term. He truly is an inspiration. I will continue to lean on him and seek his counsel and advice.
With only being in in my new role for a couple of weeks, I already have a vision for the CAR, and it is my desire to continue to build on our past success and keep the momentum going. As your leader it is my intention to focus on advancing radiology in Canada.
Innovation and research are two very important priorities that will not only benefit radiologists, but all Canadians through enhanced patient care. Continuing the work of the AI Working Group and building on the research by supporting our residents is one of the ways that we can achieve this. Radiologists in training are our future and we need to play an active role in supporting them.
Education is another important area of focus. One of the CAR’s paramount goals is to help make radiologists more successful in their practices. By offering quality continuing professional development through the CAR’s RAD Academy and at the annual CAR Meeting, we can build on existing knowledge and make radiologists stronger.
Patient Safety is of the utmost importance. Through accreditation and the creation of guidelines we can help to ensure that patients have access to the highest quality imaging care in Canada.
Of course, none of this can be achieved without advocacy. It is important that we continue to have a strong national voice and be recognized as subject matter experts in the medical community. We have come a long way in raising awareness for our profession and the importance that radiologists play in the medical continuum. We need to demonstrate our value even further. Now more than ever, there needs to be a better understanding of the value of diagnostic imaging for the future of healthcare in Canada.
During my term I intend to focus on advocating for the best interests of patients, reducing national wait times for medical imaging and encouraging greater public investments in capital equipment for imaging. Building on the initial Value of Radiology Report published by the Conference Board of Canada in 2017, we have committed to working with the Conference Board on a second study. The Value of Radiology 2.0 will help to support our national priorities and provide evidence for the federal government to invest in medical imaging equipment and solutions.
We cannot strive forward without your support. The CAR will continue to engage with members and seek advice, leadership and expertise from our volunteer working groups and Board of Directors. As a past volunteer and long-standing board member, I would encourage you to become involved and add your voice to the 250 plus CAR volunteers.
The future is bright for radiology. I thank you for your confidence and I am humbled by all the positive support that I have received thus far as I transition into this new role.
Dr. Mike Barry
CAR President
To read Dr. Barry’s biography, click here.