February 2022

by Brent Wagner, MD, MBA, ABR Executive Director February 2022;15(1):3 Institutions often suffer from biases and flawed perceptions based on familiarity with the internal workings of the organization and an overly inward focus. For the ABR, the result may be erroneous assumptions about the intended value we provide to certification candidates and diplomates, how our…

February 2022;15(1):8 By Myles Mowery, DO “You are too personable for radiology! Why would you go into such an introverted field?” Anybody else get this? I’m sure plenty have. It’s such a common misconception in the world of medicine that radiologists sit in the dark all day, don’t have interpersonal skills and dread talking to…

By Paul E. Wallner, DO, ABR Associate Executive Director for Radiation Oncology; and David Laszakovits, MBA, ABR Director of Communications February 2022;15(1):7 The ABR constantly strives to improve communication with candidates for Initial Certification and certified diplomates. Although staff and associate executive directors (AEDs) routinely respond to queries, for many years, the Board has hosted…

By Matthew B. Podgorsak, PhD, Kalpana M. Kanal, PhD, and Robert A. Pooley, PhD, ABR Trustees; and Geoffrey S. Ibbott, PhD, ABR Associate Executive Director for Medical Physics February 2022;15(1):6 The ABR’s mission is to certify that our diplomates demonstrate the requisite knowledge, skill, and understanding of their discipline to the benefit of patients. Future…

By N. Reed Dunnick, MD, ABR Executive Associate Director for Diagnostic Radiology February 2022;15(1):5 In 2021, the ABR successfully delivered more than 5,000 remote computer-based exams, including three administrations of the Diagnostic Radiology Qualifying (Core) Exam and two each of the DR Certifying Exam, DR subspecialty exams, and the Radioisotope Safety Exam (RISE). As expected…

by Vincent P. Mathews, MD, ABR President February 2022;15(1):2 “The great enemy of communication … is the illusion of it. We have talked enough; but we have not listened. And by not listening, we have failed to concede … the great gaps between ourselves and those with whom we seek understanding.” 1    Those comments,…

By Rodney Campbell, ABR Communications Manager February 2022;15(1):12 For the first time in two years, ASTRO and RSNA held in-person annual meetings late last year. Both organizations put COVID-19 restrictions in place and had approximately half their usual attendance. A few attendees offered their thoughts on the meetings and their optimism about a return to…

February 2022;15(1):4 Mary S. (Mimi) Newell, MD, is a longtime ABR volunteer who last year moved from our Board of Trustees (BOT) to Board of Governors (BOG). Dr. Newell has a diverse background, including work in academic and private practice. She is currently a professor in the Division of Breast Imaging of the Department of…

February 2022;15(1):13 Congratulations to ABR Trustee M. Victoria (Vicki) Marx, MD, for being awarded the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) Gold Medal for 2022. The SIR Gold Medal was established in 1996 and is the highest honor that can be achieved in the field of interventional radiology. This honor is bestowed for excellence and lifetime…

February 2022;15(1):9 Christopher Williams, PhD, has always wanted to become a NASA astronaut. After applying in 2020 and getting selected in November 2021, Dr. Williams’ hopes are being realized. Dr. Williams started two years of training last month in Houston. After that, he’ll be a full-fledged astronaut ready for a mission. We had the chance…

February 2022;15(1):11 The ABR has once again been awarded a Platinum rating from Candid GuideStar, the highest level of recognition. Candid GuideStar reports on nonprofit organizations in the United States and offers four seals to represent an organization’s level of transparency, from Bronze to Platinum. As of April 2021, more than 78,000 nonprofits had one…