A Message from the President of the CAR

Solidarity and Collaboration

As I begin my new role as President of the CAR, I look forward to a period of partnership with members as we move toward the shared objective of growing our association.

My three main priorities as President will be:

1. Advocacy / Public relations

Within the frame of the priorities recently identified under our strategic plan, it is imperative that we address this issue. The focus of our initiatives to improve the safety (radiation protection) and quality of care must be on our patients.

Given the current context, our actions and interactions, specifically with federal officials, must be cooperative rather than confrontational. We must be an integral part of the solutions.

Recently, the CAR has had several opportunities to clearly state its position on the technology currently in use. Some recently published articles regarding the latest findings and ongoing studies on the accuracy of digital mammography (CR/DR) support my views. Through media interviews given by Dr. Nancy Wadden (Chair of the Mammography Accreditation Program–- MAP) and myself, the CAR set out to clarify the facts while underlining the quality of our accreditation program.

Moreover, our May 30 presentation on breast density given before the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology granted us the opportunity to contribute to the development of a national healthcare policy.

2. Partnerships

One of the pillars that will help further our interests is our ongoing partnerships with other organizations.

One example is our major collaboration with the American College of Radiology (ACR), of which the CAR is a chapter. In fact, 730 members of the CAR, including many residents, also belong to the ACR. CAR members in good standing enjoy a 50% discount on their annual ACR membership as well as various services, including:

• Image Wisely (http://www.imagewisely.org) – Radiation Safety in Adult Medical Imaging
• Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence (http://www.acr.org/Quality-Safety/DICOE)
• Radiology Leadership Institute™ (http://www.acr.org/Education/RLI)
• AC Decision Support (http://www.acr.org/Advocacy/Informatics/Standards-and-Initiatives/AC-Decision-Support)

On May 6, in Washington, I received the ACR Recognition Award in recognition of the work I did during my two years as representative of the CAR on the ACR Board of Chancellors, which ended in April 2013.

Accordingly, I would like to focus on building closer ties with the ACR and on sharing our resources.

3. Financial and organizational stability

Thanks to the leadership of my predecessors, the CAR has come a long way in the last few years. As President, I am committed to making our organization even stronger. To this end, it is crucial that we diversify our sources of revenue. We must use our imagination and ingenuity to form new alliances, using the ACR as a model.

Among other things, we must implement new programs that can be introduced quickly and efficiently, and offer new financial services and incentives to our members, thereby adding value to their CAR membership. Further details on these types of services will be included in a future message.

Finally, I would like to remind all members that a number of challenges lie ahead, and the best way to overcome them is to form a united front. I hope I can count on everyone's support and, more specifically, on the invaluable cooperation of the provincial associations. We are all striving to improve the practice of radiology and medicine in general, and the most effective way to achieve our goal is by working together.

Jacques Lévesque, MD
President, Canadian Association of Radiologists

Annual General Meeting: Canadian Association of Radiologists

There was strong turnout at the Annual General Meeting of the CAR this year, which was held during the CAR's Annual Scientific Meeting in April. Along with voting on the new Board of Directors, Dr. Jamie Fraser reflected, as he wound up his term as CAR President, on how the CAR has evolved over the past five years. During that time, the CAR has completed a governing, strategic and administrative re-orientation that has resulted in an effective board and governance structure, improved productivity, improved engagement of stakeholders, and early phases of a long-term advocacy strategy. In conclusion, Dr. Fraser emphasized that "building a professional culture around quality and value will continue to be essential for the profession moving ahead."

The new CAR Board of Directors

The CAR Board of Directors for 2013–2014 was voted in by CAR members at the CAR Annual General Meeting. Each year's AGM is the place where CAR members confirm that strong leadership continues to guide our association and we hope to see more and more of you at next year's AGM.

The CAR wishes to thank those volunteers, Drs. Andrew Benko, Ted Lyons, Martin Reed and Nicolette Sinclair, who completed terms on the CAR Board, for their contributions. The 2013–2014 CAR Board is looking forward to working with all of you throughout the coming year. Get to know these important Board volunteers on the CAR Board by clicking here.

Annual General Meeting: Canadian Radiological Foundation

The CRF's AGM was also held in Montreal on April 27, 2013. The new Board of Directors was approved and includes:

• Dr. Ian Hammond, President
• Dr. Raquel del Carpio-O'Donovan, Vice President
• Dr. Gregory Butler, Secretary-Treasurer
• Dr. Robert Sevick
• Dr. Bruce Forster.

To view the biographies of the Board of Directors, click here.

The CRF wishes to thank every one of you who made a donation in 2012. Your contributions are instrumental in achieving projects which will help advance the future of radiology in Canada.

Exceptional CAR Individuals

CAR Gold Medal Award

This award represents the highest award that the Canadian Association of Radiologists can bestow to a CAR member. The CAR Gold Medal Award is awarded to an individual for distinguished and extraordinary service to the CAR and the discipline of radiology. Service to radiology can be teaching, basic research, clinical investigation or radiologic statesmanship. Service to the CAR can be outstanding contributions to the CAR, other medical organizations or government agencies. This year, two CAR members were recognized as having distinguished themselves for their outstanding service to the CAR and for their unwavering commitment to the discipline of radiology. The awards were announced at the CAR Annual Dinner and Awards Gala during the Annual Scientific Meeting in April.

Photo credit: University of Western Ontario

• Some of the words used to describe Dr. Richard Rankin in his nomination are "personal inspiration", "high integrity", "tenacious commitment", "quiet effectiveness" and "stalwart CAR member".

  Dr. Rankin has demonstrated these and many other qualities in his more than 30 years of continuous service to the CAR. Dr. Rankin's passion for radiology has also been shared with students and residents in his roles as a Program Director and Department Chair for over 20 years.

  Throughout his career, he has devoted his expertise to more than 20 other societies and volunteer organizations. For the CAR alone, he has chaired and participated on many committees, including 12 straight years on numerous CAR qualifications, training and continuing medical education committees. He also served on the CAR Council for 13 years, including as secretary-treasurer on the CAR Executive for 5 years. He is also a reviewer for the CAR Journal. A natural leader, Dr. Rankin also served as president of the Canadian Radiological Foundation from 2003–2011.

  Dr. Rankin, who was unable to attend the CAR Annual Dinner and Awards Gala, personifies the qualities to which we all aspire in medical leadership, and the CAR is honoured to have bestowed on him a CAR Gold Medal Award.



• In his nomination for the CAR Gold Medal Award, Dr. Shia Salem was described as an "unsung hero".

  Voluntary organizations depend heavily upon their members to devote their time to serving the many needs of the organization. Many members serve behind the scenes, chairing committees and promoting the interests of the association, but few match the level of devotion demonstrated by Dr. Salem who has contributed more than 40 years of service to the CAR.

  Dr. Salem has been instrumental in the development of CAR standards and guidelines in ultrasound, serving the CAR in this area for nearly 20 years. He has been a speaker at the CAR annual scientific meetings multiple times, with his first presentation in 1973, and has been the author of peer‐reviewed papers for the CAR Journal throughout these 40 years.

  Dr. Salem continues to leave an indelible mark of devotion and integrity upon us that will long help shape the CAR into what we hope it can be. For his selfless loyalty, long-term service and leadership, the CAR was honoured to present Dr. Salem with the CAR Gold Medal Award.

  To read more about Drs. Rankin and Salem, click here. For more information on the CAR Gold Medal Award, click here.

CAR Young Investigator Award

Dr. David Liu leaves a legacy of excellence and innovation wherever he goes. He completed his medical training at the University of Toronto and his radiology residency at the University of British Columbia. After completing his fellowship in vascular and interventional radiology at Northwestern University in Chicago, he practiced in Chicago, Portland and Spokane. During his tenure in Portland, he was named one of Portland's top physicians for two consecutive years for his exemplary patient care.

In addition to supervising numerous post-graduate students and mentoring radiology residents at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Medicine (Department of Radiology), he is the founder and co-chair of the Symposium on Hepatic Oncology at Whistler (SHOW). He has co-authored impressive book chapters and over 50 peer-reviewed publications, and been invited to deliver over 70 lectures worldwide.

Dr. Liu's commitment to research and education is impressive. He is very active in localized cancer therapy research and the youngest inducted fellow in the Society of Interventional Radiology.

His passion, enthusiasm, dedication, innovative spirit, clinical skills and kindness with colleagues and patients make him a stellar example of a model radiologist and a deserving recipient of the CAR Young Investigator Award for 2013.

The CAR Young Investigator Award represents the highest award that the CAR can bestow to a young researcher. It can be awarded to an individual for medical imaging-related research recognized by the CAR for quality and consistency in the early phases of a career. To read more about this award, click here.

American College of Radiology Appreciation

The CAR and the American College of Radiology benefit from a strong, mutually supportive relationship. This relationship includes having an ACR observer to the CAR Board of Directors and a CAR observer to the ACR Board of Chancellors.

For the past two years, Dr. Jacques Lévesque, during his term as CAR President-Elect, served as the CAR representative to the Board of Chancellors. Dr. Lévesque's contribution was recognized with a Certificate of Appreciation from the ACR.

Executive Member of the Year

Ms. Adele Fifield, our very own CEO, was awarded the 2013 Executive Member of the Year for the Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE). This award is bestowed upon a member in good standing who, among its 640 members of the Ottawa–Gatineau Chapter, has demonstrated outstanding leadership and active involvement in chapter activities, projects and committees.

Ms. Fifield also received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal this year. Created in 2012 to mark the 60^th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the Throne, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal is a tangible way for Canada to honour Her Majesty. This commemorative medal also serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.

Dr. Jacques Lévesque, President of the CAR, says: "I feel privileged to have such outstanding individuals on our team. Adele has demonstrated an unwavering commitment, not only to the CAR, but out there in the association community at large."

Dedicated Radiologists

Our CAR member radiologists are dedicated professionals who are active in many initiatives and, as such, often gain recognition by other organizations for their outstanding service and contribution to the field of radiology and to their communities.

Dr. Raquel del Carpio-O'Donovan is a prime example of excellence in radiology and the impact that our profession has on the present and the future of healthcare in Canada. Her commitment to, and involvement with, diagnostic radiology students at McGill University, as well as with students worldwide, has been recognized by the Quebec Medical Association, earning her the QMA's 2013 Teaching-Clinician Award.

CAR 76^TH ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING

A Huge Success

The CAR 76^th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) was held from April 25 to 28, 2013 in Montreal. More than 525 participants from Canada and abroad came to learn more about quality imaging (the theme of the meeting) and to hear an impressive roster of speakers including, among many others, Dr. Ramin Khorasani (Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School in Boston, U.S.), Dr. Evan Siegelman (Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, U.S.), and Dr. Gordon Wallace (Canadian Medical Protective Association, Ottawa, Canada). There were also numerous interactive educational events – our new "Case of the Day", the MSK Live Ultrasound Simulation Workshop and a fun and educational session of Jeopardy: A Radiologist's Game Show.

The CAR 76^th ASM Working Group did a stellar job and we thank them all for their hard work and their commitment to making this year's ASM a huge success. Our meeting would also not be possible without the contributions of our sponsors.

Winners – Exhibits

Participants at the ASM had the opportunity of viewing an extensive selection of scientific and educational electronic exhibits touching on a diverse range of subjects. Two oral presentation contests were also held during the ASM: Radiologists-in-Training and Departmental Clinical Audit Project. The quality and deliver of the presentations greatly impressed the judges, who deliberated at length to identify the winners. Three of the contests were supported once again by the Canadian Radiological Foundation. The CAR congratulates the following radiologists for distinguishing themselves with their exhibits this year, and thanks everyone for participating:

* Supported by the Canadian Radiological Foundation
** Supported by the CAR

2013 Advanced Cardiac Life Support for Radiologists (ACLS-r) – Another great success

A Unique "Hands-on" Learning Experience

The CAR offered the ACLS-r course, held at the Université de Montréal (UdeM) Faculty of Medicine Simulation Laboratory in partnership with CAE Healthcare. It is a sought-after learning experience.

Its objective is to improve the practical skills of radiologists when dealing with victims of cardiac or cardiopulmonary arrest in a radiology setting.

Participants worked with eight specialized mannequins and were taught by accredited instructors. A participant/instructor ratio of eight to one ensured a customized practice and plenty of individual instruction time. Feedback was very positive and the CAR will continue to hold this event in conjunction with the ASM.

Advocacy On Your Behalf

CAR Presents to the Senate

On May 30, the CAR, represented by our President, Dr. Jacques Lévesque, and Dr. Jean Seely (Head of Breast Imaging at The Ottawa Hospital and member of the Working Group for the CAR Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards for Breast Imaging and Intervention), provided important evidence to the Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology in Ottawa. The Senate Committee was undertaking a subject matter exploration of breast density in relation to Bill C-314, An Act respecting the awareness of screening among women with dense breast tissue, which was under its consideration. Following numerous days of testimony and expert input from a variety of stakeholders, the Senate committee's report was released on June 11. To view the final report from the Senate, click here.

Health Council of Canada highlights new CAR access targets

The Health Council of Canada (HCC) published its Progress Report 2013: Health Care Renewal in Canada in May. In the section on access and wait times related to diagnostic imaging wait times, it references the CAR's recent report on National Maximum Wait Time Access Targets for Medical Imaging (MRI and CT):

"In the absence of evidence on patient outcomes and access related to waits for diagnostic imaging, the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) used a pan‑Canadian consultation process to set its own diagnostic imaging wait time benchmarks in 2005. These benchmarks were updated in 2013 and prioritize MRI and CT scans by urgency level." […]

Medical Imaging Team Day launches new patient and physician resources!

In its ongoing initiative to inform the public of the role of the radiologist as an essential part of the healthcare team, the CAR participated in the 2^nd annual Medical Imaging Team Day. The event took place on May 16 at The Ottawa Hospital. New medical imaging resources were distributed to both referring healthcare professionals and to the public: an information brochure on medical imaging for the patient, another one for family physicians, and a poster designed to be displayed in waiting rooms everywhere to make the public aware of who their medical imaging team is.

A media release was sent out to announce the event. Also, Technology for Doctors online posted the news release about Medical Imaging Team Day in its May 9, 2013 edition (Vol. 4, No. 9). This Canadian online resource can be viewed here.

Medical Imaging Team Day is a collaboration of the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR), the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT), the Canadian Association of Nuclear Medicine (CANM), the Canadian Interventional Radiology Association (CIRA), the Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists (COMP), and the Canadian Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (CSDMS).

For more information on Medical Imaging Team Day and to access these new resources, click here.

International Education

The CAR was asked to provide a Canadian perspective on continuing medical education in Canada for a radiology journal in France. Dr. Louise Samson (Professor of Radiology, Université de Montréal, a past President of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons and a CAR Gold Medal recipient) contributed a comprehensive article on continuing professional development in Canada, published in the April 2013 issue of Le Médecin Radiologue de France.

You can view the article here. [in French]

Call for Volunteers – We Need Your Help!

Volunteers are the pulse of our organization and form the working groups that are so essential to the CAR. Working groups are composed of volunteers, mostly member radiologists and other medical specialists as required, who assist, guide, consult, create materials, research or advise as necessary to ensure that their assignments reflect the most accurate and professional results.

Many working groups are put in place to provide the CAR staff with advice/direction on operations or programs run by the CAR office, such as the CAR's Mammography Accreditation Program and the Annual Scientific Meeting. Working groups are also established to help the CAR formulate policies and timely guidance on very specific topics, such as position statements and advisories, or in financial administration, which are sent to the CAR Board of Directors for consideration and adoption. All working groups are task-specific and time limited, which can range from weeks to months, or longer if required.

The CAR currently relies on the generosity of our volunteers to help carry out vital work in the areas of quality assurance, continuing professional development and accreditation. If you are interested in contributing to the advancement of your profession, the CAR is currently in need of motivated volunteers for the following working groups:

• Mammography Accreditation Program
• Bone Mineral Densitometry Accreditation Program
• Practice Guidelines (opportunity to be mentored by Dr. Greg Butler)
• Diagnostic Imaging Referral Guidelines (opportunity to be mentored by Dr. Martin Reed)
• Continuing Professional Development
• CARJ Reviewers.

We encourage our members to participate in our working groups. There is great satisfaction in having an opportunity to shape the future of radiology. To volunteer for one of the CAR working groups, and to learn more about the above opportunities, please contact us.

2013 CAR Membership – Don't Miss Out!

Has your CAR membership lapsed? If you haven't already renewed you membership for 2013, we urge you to do so today! A strong membership base reinforces our Association's position as a proactive advocate on your behalf. It also enables us to sustain and protect the profession of radiology while advancing the best imaging care possible for patients through our quality assurance initiatives.

Your membership benefits you in other ways – check out the top reasons to be a CAR member.

For more information on the different membership categories and dues, click here.

The following options are available to pay your 2013 CAR dues:

• Online through the CAR web site
• On paper by completing the online invoice and returning it along with your credit card details by fax at 613 860-3112, or by sending the completed form with a cheque to the CAR office (600 – 294 Albert Street, Ottawa, ON K1P 6E6)
• By phone with our Membership Coordinator at 613 860-3111, ext. 0
• Via online banking with these participating financial institutions: BMO, CIBC, RBC, Scotiabank and TD Canada Trust (search for keyword: radiologists).

When renewing your membership, please consider making a donation to your Canadian Radiological Foundation (CRF). As a registered charity, the CRF undertakes critical research and educational projects which benefit Canadian radiology and help to establish radiologists as leaders on the international stage. To make a donation online, click here.

We look forward to your continued support!