RADIOACTIVE NEWS2.html


    
        
            
                
                    

                

            

            
                Report on the Introduction to Research for
                International Young Academics (IRIYA) Seminar, 27 Nov. - 1 Dec. 2011,
                RSNA Scientific Assembly & Annual Meeting, McCormick Place, Chicago

                
                    Vicci du Plessis
                

                
                    (Grey’s Hospital, Pietermaritzburg)
                

                
                

                Chicago! ‘Perhaps the most typically American place in America.’ (James Bryce, 1888)

                My Chicago experience started off with an order of
                ‘deep-dish pizza’ from Pizzeria Due (the spillover
                restaurant of the original Pizzeria Uno where this authentic
                Chicago-style pizza has been served since 1943). There followed an
                evening of shopping along the stylish ‘Magnificent Mile’ on
                North Michigan Avenue!

                With little time to spare before the orientation tour of the
                IRIYA Seminar, I attempted some sightseeing on a very blustery Sunday
                morning. Fighting the rain and chilly gusts off Lake Michigan with my
                newly-acquired, rather flimsy umbrella, I discovered first-hand how the
                city of Chicago earned the nickname ‘the Windy City’! I
                passed the Chicago Tribune, crossed the Chicago River and explored
                Millennium Park, admiring the graceful ice-skaters and contemporary
                outdoor sculptures.

                A convenient and superbly organised bus system (compliments of
                the RSNA) transferred me from the Chicago Marriott Hotel to McCormick
                Place on the shore of Lake Michigan – home to the annual RSNA
                meeting and the largest conference venue in the United States. Our
                orientation tour was led by Diane Tokarski, manager of the Department
                of International Relations and Education of the RSNA, whom we finally
                met in person after months of efficient e-mail organisation. At the
                Sunday evening reception function, we met the other course organisers
                and our fellow IRIYA participants (16 young radiologists selected from
                13 different countries).

                The seminar programme was well-structured, highly relevant and
                effectively run. We covered various topics concerning research, ranging
                from Research Question Design to Statistics to Manuscript Preparation.
                These were presented by lecturers from esteemed institutions such as
                Johns Hopkins and Thomas Jefferson Universities and the Harvard
                Children’s Hospital. There was an interesting panel discussion
                during which we, the IRIYA participants, could ask a team of academic
                radiologists any question pertaining to research or a career in
                academic radiology. We were also given the unique opportunity to
                present our own current research projects to a panel of experts at a
                research workshop; the sessions were co-ordinated by Fiona Miller,
                director of the Department of Research of the RSNA. What a privilege to
                receive valuable comments and constructive criticism from
                world-renowned radiology professors such as William Brant, William
                Mayo-Smith, Winfried Willinek, Stephan Voss and Johan Blickman!

                Time was also allocated for our choice of the ever-popular
                RSNA refresher courses, as well as to explore the conference
                independently. With 59 097 attendees overall, a record-breaking 16 272
                radiologists and 681 exhibiting companies at RSNA 2011, the experience
                was completely overwhelming! We were also given access to the Residents
                and Fellows’ Lounge where we were able to meet American and
                international colleagues, and enjoy complimentary breakfasts, lunches
                and beverages.

                A formal, closing dinner was held at the Chicago Marriott
                Magnificent Mile Hotel for the IRIYA and Introduction to Academic
                Radiology course participants (second-year American radiology
                residents), during which an American radiologist in private practice
                entertained us with a speech entitled Career Choices – a comical
                address discussing the pros and cons of careers in academic and private
                radiology.

                The IRIYA Seminar provided a vital foundation for our future
                careers in academic radiology. Not only did we gain theoretical
                knowledge, but more importantly, IRIYA also facilitated the development
                of valuable relationships with international colleagues sharing an
                interest in research, as well as with potential professional mentors.
                On behalf of all the IRIYA participants, I express heartfelt gratitude
                to the Radiological Society of North America for granting us this
                extraordinary opportunity. I also thank the President of the RSSA, Dr
                Clive Sperryn, as the opportunity to participate was made possible by
                virtue of the RSSA being an affiliated/collaborating society of the
                RSNA.

                

            

            
                
            

            
                IRIYA participants with organisers Fiona Miller, John Eng and Diane Tokarski (front centre, left to right)