The ACR Resident and Fellow Section

Benefits to State Chapters of a Resident Fellow Section

The ACR, in conjunction with many state chapters, often financially sponsors a resident from the state to attend the ACR Annual Meeting and Chapter Leadership Conference (AMCLC). The resident serves as a liaison from his/her state to address issues particular to residents in that state and to participate in discussions on issues facing the ACR and ACR RFS as a whole.

Parent State Chapters, in return for supporting an RFS in its early growth stage, stands to gain from its investment in several ways:

Increased Membership – an organized and well-run section attracts new members. Resident and fellow physicians represent over 5,000 ACR members in-training and will respond to the unique opportunity that access to policy development offers. In addition, many residents and fellows are introduced to policy making and issues facing the ACR and the profession of radiology through the state chapter meetings and communications that they would not be exposed to in their training programs. Increased awareness of issues is important for recruitment of new members into organized medicine.
Continued Membership – The earlier physicians can be attracted into organized medicine, the better the chance that membership will remain important in their professional lives. This is particularly true of residents and fellows that plan to practice within their state of training.
Leadership Growth and Development – Leadership qualities are developed during medical school, refined during residency, practiced by radiologists and applied in your chapter and the ACR Council. A state chapter RFS helps to foster leadership at an early stage. These leaders are important to the future of the parent state chapter. Involvement at this early level allows residents and fellows to influence and learn from organized medicine.
A Broadened Membership Base – RFS members may have more diversified perspectives and input to state chapter discussions than available in the existing membership. In addition, RFS members are the ones with the most vested interest in their specialty as they are at the beginning of their career.

Benefits to residents and fellows of a State Resident Fellow Section

There are also many benefits that residents and fellows within a state can reap by establishing a state RFS. Some are highlighted below.

Communication – The RFS serves as a means to disseminate information that is important to residents and fellows, both relevant to their future career and particular issues facing members in training. In addition, it serves as a means to communicate issues and experiences particular to the state RFS to the national RFS. Having a well organized state RFS keeps the communication lines open and established. This is particularly true for larger states that are unable to meet regularly due to geographic separation. In addition, the ACR RFS has regular communication distributed via email which that addresses issues specific to residents and fellows (monthly RFS E-News). Many state RFS also have regular publications (i.e. newsletters) or discussion forums online that permit regular communication between RFS members. Fellow members often may serve as excellent resources to find out “how things are done” at different institutions.
Socialization with Peers – Radiology, while being one of the larger medicine specialties, is still a relatively small community. The RFS gives the opportunity to meet and socialize with other members-in-training to share experiences and friendship outside of the training institution.
Involvement in organized medicine – Involvement in a state RFS is usually one of the first introductions to organized medicine within radiology for many state RFS members. It is comforting to realize that organizations such as the ACR are lobbying on behalf of radiologists and promoting the field of radiology.
Awareness of political, economic, and governmental issues – Often issues facing practicing radiologists are not recognized by members-in-training because of the “protected environment” of academic institutions and training centers. A state RFS allows exposure to issues that radiologists face in practice and that will ultimately shape the field of radiology for members in-training; this is particularly true of issues facing individual states, which may be different than those facing the ACR on a national level. In addition, it allows exposure to the policy making body of radiology, including how policies are created and implemented.
Education – Educational programs are often incorporated into state chapter meetings. Equally important are issues related to employment, business, and legalities of practicing radiology that are not taught in training programs. Understanding issues such as employment contracts, liability, and practice structure are vital to finding employment after training. Many state RFS programs offer educational opportunities to increase awareness for residents and fellows on these issues.
Contacts/Networking – Getting involved in the ACR at both the national and state levels fosters relationships with ACR members that may create opportunities in the future for employment, education, or friendship