RSNA Gears up to Celebrate Its Centennial by Looking Back at its Role in Radiology

This year, the Radiological Society of North America’s (RSNA; Oak Brook, IL, USA) centennial observance will kick off at RSNA 2014 and finish at the conclusion of RSNA 2015, marking the Society’s 100th anniversary. The Society will begin its year-long centennial celebration by looking back on the role RSNA has played in the history of radiology and then look to the future.

RSNA will host its 100th annual meeting and scientific assembly on November 30–December 5, 2014, held at the McCormick Place, Chicago, IL, USA. “Just 20 years after the discovery of the X-ray, a group of radiologists founded RSNA to advance radiologic science and technology and to provide radiologists with continuing medical education and opportunities to communicate with one another,” said RSNA president N. Reed Dunnick, MD. “The growth of radiology has proceeded hand in hand with the growth of RSNA, whose 100th annual meeting we celebrate this year.”

Activities planned for the centennial celebration at RSNA 2014 include a Sip and Savor social and the highly anticipated Centennial Showcase, a free-flowing interactive experience exhibit that will entwine the history of RSNA with the development of radiologic science and technology. Visitors will examine radiology’s greatest accomplishments and engage themselves in RSNA’s rich history.

Highpoints of the Centennial Showcase include “Our Milestones,” where RSNA’s crucial moments are captured in a powerful multimedia presentation; “Art & Science,” a collection of fascinating and artistically rendered medical images; “Roentgen’s Welcome,” featuring a virtual incarnation of the father of radiology; the “Gallery,” housing rare pieces of vintage radiology equipment; and “Cases of the Century,” where visitors can test their skill in diagnosing 10 classic radiology cases.

Offerings outside the annual meeting include a Centennial Website, launching this summer, with a timeline focusing on key milestones in the history of RSNA and radiology. Users may click on a milestone to explore images and descriptions or add their own unique story to the public milestone section. The website will also feature an image gallery and digital highpoints from the Centennial Showcase.

In addition, RSNA’s two peer-reviewed journals will offer centennial-themed content throughout the year. Radiology will recount the development of the science of radiology in its pages, spotlighting articles published over the past 90 years. RadioGraphics will feature articles that emphasize the role that RSNA or the journal has played in enhancing the field of radiology.

“Through its journals, annual meeting, education programs, and the invaluable contributions of its members, RSNA has been inextricably tied to the evolution of radiology worldwide,” said RSNA chairman of the Board, Richard L. Baron, MD. “With this centennial observance, we celebrate the astounding scientific advances in our field over the past 100 years and the critical role radiology plays in modern patient care.”

RSNA has been in the frontline of radiology’s evolution over the past 100 years, fostering research and education initiatives to further the science and improve patient care, partnering with other societies to form a global radiology community where knowledge can be shared, and working with equipment manufacturers and organizations to help bring new medical imaging technologies to patients.

In celebrating its centennial, RSNA recognizes the invaluable contribution of all the organizations, groups, organizations, and individuals who have advanced the field of radiology over the past 100 years, and looks forward to the opportunities, challenges and discoveries the next 100 years will bring. “We have a wonderful history, but there are new challenges to be faced to keep the radiologic sciences at the forefront of medicine,” Dr. Dunnick said. “As it has for the past 100 years, RSNA will continue to be a vital participant in meeting those challenges.”

RSNA is an association of more than 53,000 radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, and related scientists encouraging excellence in patient care and healthcare through education, research, and technologic advancements.

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Radiological Society of North America