Connecting with our members. Providing value. The CAR is into its fourth month of the strategic plan – which aims to do just that. The five pillars of the plan are: Advocacy, Patient Care, Education, Research and Innovation, Engagement.
The one place where members can get a feel for all five points is at #CAR2018. (You can still register). This year’s meeting is focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Drs. Jonathan Leipsic and Michael Patlas, Co-Chairs of the Annual Scientific Meeting Working Group, have been able to secure first-class AI speakers including Dr. Ronald Summers from the NIH. Members will also be able to hear from our own Canadian AI leaders such as Dr. An Tang, Chair of the CAR AI working group. These sessions cover topics with real world implications not only for the work we do as radiologists but also for our society as a whole. The CAR has already advocated for the responsible integration of AI on Parliament Hill last fall and we will continue to do so. Continuing our work in the area, the CAR White Paper on Artificial Intelligence in Radiology was published in the Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal earlier this week.
Preceding the CAR meeting the CAR and CRF are hosting the second annual UBC Sauder Leadership course focused on negotiations. (You can still register). The negotiations course flows into the Provincial Radiology Leaders meeting.
With regards to engagement; guided by a recently signed leaders’ accord, the CAR meets with provincial leaders in-person three times a year. Beyond these leadership meetings, just this year, the CAR will attend meetings with provincial radiology associations and their members in: Cornerbrook, St. John and Banff, Montreal, Halifax and Vancouver. In addition, the CAR has reached out to the CIHR to enhance the connections with federal research agencies to enhance research and innovation in our specialty for our patients.
While all of the pillars of our strategic plan are important, our first focus of engagement with you, our members, and what resonates with you is what drives our organization. I hope to see you in Montreal at #CAR2018 or in your province at an upcoming meeting!!
Dr. Emil Lee
President of the CAR