RSNA announces keynotes for upcoming meeting, with a theme of ‘redefining radiology’

The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) on Thursday unveiled its slate of plenary speakers set to take the stage during the organization’s annual meeting this upcoming winter.

This year’s theme will center around redefining radiology, with RSNA President, Mary C. Mahoney, MD, discussing what that means to her during the opening session Sunday, Nov. 28, at 4 p.m.

“The pandemic has uncovered myriad issues in our profession, from inequities in patient access to care to inefficiencies in our workflows,” Mahoney said Thursday. “It would be a wasted opportunity to revert to previous operations unreflectively. Rather, we need innovative ways to conduct our work more effectively and empathically.”

James Merlino, MD, will follow up that discussion by highlighting successful strategies deployed across Cleveland Clinic used to create a top-notch patient experience. As the health giant's Chief Clinical Transformation Officer, Merlino oversees the Office of Patient Experience, Enterprise Safety and Quality, and the Office of Continuous Improvement.

Additional plenary sessions will include:

  • Radiologist-in-Chief at Massachusetts General Hospital, James A. Brink, MD, discussing how radiology services impact patient outcomes and quality of life, and providers’ duty to appropriately use evidence-based imaging guidelines.
  • A joint presentation from Yale Medicine radiologist Michele Johnson, MD, and Georgetown University business professor Christine Porath, PhD, discussing actionable ways rads can provide equitable patient care.
  • RSNA’s first interactive plenary session on Wednesday, Dec. 1, featuring a team-based competition held in  a game show format.
  • The RSNA/American Association of Physicists in Medicine Symposium highlighting collaborative opportunities between radiologists and physicists and the importance of imaging innovation in today’s radiology practices.

RSNA reaffirmed its commitment to an in-person Chicago meeting back in May. Last year’s annual gathering was held entirely online, marking the first cancellation since 1945 when complications caused by World War II shut down the show.

The 107th iteration of the world’s leading medical imaging conference will take place from Sunday, Nov. 28, to Thursday, Dec. 2. Those who cannot make it to Chicago can access 100% of eligible meeting content online, RSNA said.

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Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.

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