President's Message

Dear Members,

I want to thank you for the opportunity to serve as president of the Indiana Radiological Society (IRS) for the 2011-2012 term.

I’d like to add a special thanks to this and last year’s officers, as well as to all those serving on IRS committees.  Radiologists and Radiation Oncologists throughout the State of Indiana benefit from your efforts and we are grateful for the time that you volunteer.

For those new to the organization, welcome to our website!  The Indiana Radiological Society is the state chapter of the American College of Radiology.  We are a nonprofit organization striving to advance the specialties of Radiology and Radiation Oncology.  Our membership includes over 600 Hoosier Radiologists, Radiation Oncologists, and Physicists.

In pursuit of our mission, the ACR and IRS work to educate government leaders about issues affecting Radiology and Radiation Oncology.  To that end, we are involved in a number of activities critical to clinical and research practices, including: accreditation, technical standards and practice guidelines, economics, coding, ethics, government relations, ACR appropriateness criteria, CME, and research.  Your representatives at the state and national levels are involved in these and many other activities.

A special part of our activity at the state level includes participation in the ACR’s annual meeting and chapter leadership conference (AMCLC).   This year’s Indiana delegation included Drs. Winer-Muram, Depersio, Miller, Wehrenberg, Hoagland, Jackson, Gunderman, and myself.  In addition, we were joined by members of the resident and fellows section: Drs. Dawson, Rattan, Crosby, and Clark. 

As a special honor at the national meeting, Drs. Miller, Sarosi, and Beltz became Fellows of the American College of Radiology.  This distinction is not easily acquired.  ACR fellows are radiology leaders who through years of service demonstrate excellence in service to the college, organized radiology, teaching, or research.

Many issues were discussed at the AMCLC.  Of particular weight were discussions regarding MedPAC’s CMS recommendation to incorporate the multiple procedure payment reduction (MPPR) to radiologist professional fees on CT and MR imaging performed on contiguous body parts.  The ACR stands resolutely against this proposal.  We believe government leaders would be much more successful at containing healthcare costs related to imaging over-utilization by addressing the issue of self referral. 

The challenges facing our practices are great, but they are not insurmountable.  To support our ongoing efforts at political advocacy, I strongly encourage all Radiologists, Radiation Oncologists, and Medical Physicist in the State of Indiana to participate in the ACR and/or IRS.  Also, please consider making a financial contribution to our state or federal political action committees (RADPAC).

Thank you,

Jeff Dunkle, MD
Chapter President
Indiana Radiological Society

For a historical archive of past president's messages, click here.