On April 1, 2022, the Canadian Radiological Foundation (CRF) Board of Directors met virtually to discuss the goals of the Foundation and how they can support radiology now and into the future. The CRF was overwhelmed by the support provided by donors over the course of 2021 and in the early months of 2022.
Despite another challenging year for the healthcare community, the CRF received a renewed commitment to the 500 Club from existing donors and a number of new donations with a new near-record level. This enabled the Foundation to fund some great work. Some of these initiatives include:
- Support for the Women Physician Leadership Workshop led by Dr. Daria Manos
- Research on the Effect of the C0VID-19 Pandemic on Emergency Departments’ Presentations of Appendicitis or Diverticulitis across Eastern Newfoundland conducted by Dr. Brandon Collins, Memorial University
- Research on the Myocardial Injury and Outcomes Following C0VID-19 Vaccination (MYOVAX Study) conducted by Dr. Kate Hanneman, University Health Network
- Research on Developing Process-Based Interventional Radiology Quality Indicators: A Novel Approach to Assessing the Quality of Care of Patients Undergoing Interventional Radiology Procedures conducted by Dr. Helena Bentley, University of British Columbia
Going into the spring of 2022, the CRF has a renewed energetic focus on the next generation and the future of Canadian Radiology. In support of the CAR’s Resident and Fellows Section (RFS) and Medical Student Network (MSN), the CRF plans to invest in three Medical Student Awards in 2023 including a CAR Annual Scientific Meeting Indigenous Scholarship, a Radiology Leadership Scholarship and a Radiology Research Summer Studentship. Look for more information to follow on these awards in the coming months.
It is also with melancholy and much appreciation that the CRF Board bids Dr. Bruce Forster adieu. After ten years of leadership, in May 2022 Dr. Forster will retire from the CRF Board of Directors, handing over the torch to fellow Board Member, Dr. Jamie Fraser, as incoming President. Dr. Forster is the true definition of stewardship and under his leadership the Foundation has flourished. During his term as President, Dr. Forster introduced the first ever strategic plan, rebranded the Foundation, developed the 500 Club and championed the creation of a dedicated website (canradfound.ca), and most importantly fundraising initiatives reached new heights, with a 140% increase in donations from 2012 to 2021. Congratulations and well-done Dr. Forster!
The CRF will also welcome a new Board Member, Dr. Emil Lee, former CAR President and Regional Medical Director/Regional Department Head of Medical Imaging for the Fraser Health Authority of British Columbia. Dr. Lee will formally assume his position on the CRF Board of Directors following the Annual General Meeting on May 7, 2022.
On behalf of the CRF, the Board of Directors would like to thank the radiology community for their support. It is due to the generous contributions of donors that the Foundation can support impactful research and engage in initiatives/projects, which benefit the Canadian radiology overall. If you are not already a donor and are interesting in supporting the CRF, please visit canradfound.ca.