Highlighting Social Equity Topics at RSNA 2024
Sessions offer insights and strategies for building a supportive and inclusive specialty
The RSNA Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (CDEI) and the RSNA Health Equity Committee (HEC) have developed a robust offering of scientific and educational content for the annual meeting. Beneficial to members in all career levels, these sessions are focused on improving patient outcomes and building a supportive and inclusive culture within the radiology workforce.
Established in 2018, the CDEI has been instrumental in raising awareness, attracting a broader talent pool and establishing a supportive environment for professional advancement within radiology.
“Since its inception, the CDEI and RSNA have implemented programs—including dedicated research grants and pathway initiatives—to provide direct support to underrepresented groups,” said CDEI Chair Maureen P. Kohi, MD, Ernest H. Wood Distinguished Professor and Chair in the Department of Radiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “We are proud of the DEI-focused opportunities being offered at the annual meeting, including an RSNA Connect session Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Allyship. I encourage all attendees to include them in their meeting agendas when possible.”
This year, in addition to new and ongoing efforts, RSNA and the CDEI supported the 2024 William E. Allen, Jr. MD, Memorial Lecture and Dinner held in recognition of the National Medical Association (NMA) Section on Radiology and Radiation Oncology’s (SRRO) 75th Anniversary.
The NMA is the largest and oldest organization representing African American physicians and health professionals within the U.S. RSNA’s support during the anniversary event highlighted the Society’s commitment to growing and supporting a more diverse specialty and ensured that trainees could attend the dinner and receive invaluable career guidance, mentoring and inspiration.
Learn more about the NMA history at the annual meeting during a special poster presentation and a Discovery Theater presentation. Visit RSNA.org/MeetingCentral for time and location information.
RSNA has partnered with two Chicago-based organizations to bring groups of local students to RSNA 2024. A cohort of undergraduate and post baccalaureat students participating in the Chicago-based I Am Abel Foundation’s Urban Bridges Medical Mentoring Physician Pipeline Program will attend the meeting on Sunday morning, and a cohort of high school students participating in the UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center Student Pathway Program will attend Sunday afternoon.
Now in its second year, the goal of the RSNA Student Experience is to generate excitement about the field of radiology and present radiology as a specialty for these aspiring medical professionals.
Building Better Health Care Access
The RSNA HEC develops projects, education and resources to advance health equity, including grassroots community initiatives and other relevant programming.
The Committee employs a scientific, measured, results-oriented approach to reducing imaging disparities and encourages all RSNA members to support and develop health equity efforts in their own communities.
“Our continued focus on health equity is driven by our commitment and RSNA’s goals of improving health outcomes for all patients,” said Efren J. Flores, MD, co-chair of the HEC and associate professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School and Mass General Brigham Radiology vice chair, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, both in Boston. “Our mission is to build a sustainable effort by working together across our radiology community and with the communities we serve. This will deepen our knowledge to develop initiatives that will meaningfully address health disparities and deliver high-quality, equitable care for all.”
This year, there is a continued increase in health equity-related educational sessions, exhibits and scientific projects to be presented at the annual meeting. “Every attendee has an opportunity to become better informed and better engaged in making meaningful, lasting changes to benefit our patients,” said Lucy Spalluto, MD, MPH, co-chair of the HEC, professor of radiology and radiological sciences, and vice chair of health equity at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN.
On-site at the meeting, join the HEC to assemble winter kits for donation to the Chicago non-profit, Cradles to Crayons. Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12, who are unhoused or experiencing low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive—at home, at school and at play.
This event will take place in the Connections Center on Tuesday, Dec. 3, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. CT, Look for additional details at RSNA.org/MeetingCentral.
RSNA 2024: Sessions on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Health Equity/Disparities
Visit RSNA.org/MeetingCentral to view the full program.
Educational Courses
Sunday, Dec. 1
- Emerging Topics in AI: Trustworthiness, Safety, Ethics and Bias
Monday, Dec. 2
- The Future of DEI: A Leadership Perspective to Challenges & Opportunities (Sponsored by the RSNA Health Equity Committee and the RSNA Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion)
Tuesday, Dec. 3
- Fostering Culturally Aware Mentoring in Radiology (Sponsored by the RSNA Health Equity Committee and the RSNA Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion)
- Radiologists’ Role in LGBTQIA+ Health Equity (Sponsored by the RSNA Health Equity Committee)
Wednesday, Dec. 4
- Gender-Affirming Surgery and Health in the Trans Community
Thursday, Dec. 5
- Where are all the Women Physicists? (Sponsored by the RSNA Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion)
- Advancing Justice Oriented Innovation in Radiology (Sponsored by the RSNA Health Equity Committee)
Scientific Presentations and Education Exhibits
- 75 Years of Excellence: A Historical Timeline of the National Medical Association Section on Radiology and Radiation Oncology
- Representation of International Medical Graduates Among Diagnostic Radiology Chairs, Neuroradiology Chiefs, and Program Directors
- Analyzing The Prevalence of Injury and Violence in Transgender Patients Utilizing Radiology Reports
- The World vs. The Machine: Bringing Imaging AI to Global Health - Good Odds or Bad Bets?
- Utilizing the Social Ecological Model To Examine Deficits in Recruitment, Promotion, and Leadership Development of Women in Radiology
- Unintended Consequences of Price Transparency Initiatives: Impact on Patient Decision-Making for Imaging Services
- Geospatial Mapping of The Status of Interventional Radiology Worldwide
- Think Local, Act Global: Incorporating Global Radiology into Your Practice
- International Peer Learning: The Next Step in Global Radiology
- Disparities of Access to Medical Imaging Technology Across the U.S. as a Function of Social Vulnerability
- Three Interventions, Three Villages, One Goal—Health Equity
- Measuring Geographic Access to Imaging Centers in Urban Areas
- Initial Data from A Screening Mammography Program Inside Super-Walmart
Meeting Extras
Monday, Dec. 2
- RSNA Connect: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Allyship
- RSNA Discovery Theater Presentation – Strategies for Allyship and Action (Sponsored by the RSNA Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion)
Tuesday, Dec. 3
- RSNA Discovery Theater Presentation - Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: A History of the National Medical Association (NMA) Section on Radiology and Radiation Oncology (SRRO)
Wednesday, Dec. 4
- RSNA Health Equity Committee/R&E Foundation Emerging Issues Grant Recipient Fireside Chat (Sponsored by the RSNA Health Equity Committee and the R&E Foundation)