President's Letter

Welcome to the Radiological Society of Louisiana’s new website. We have made the American College of Radiology our host site in order to more easily update our website on a regular basis and to provide for better communication with our members. We will be including minutes of our meetings and summaries of our speakers’ addresses on our website for those of you are unable to attend our annual meeting.

I would like to take this opportunity to update you on the recent work of your State Chapter of the American College of Radiology. The Radiological Society of Louisiana has been working to accomplish at the state level for Louisiana Radiologists what the American College of Radiology has been doing at the national level. Our work involves many areas including, but not limited to, the following:

• Government Relations
  The RSL established the Louisiana Radiology Advocacy Alliance in order to monitor state legislative and regulatory issues. Over the past few years, the treasury of the LRAA has been funded to a substantial level by your generous contributions in order to be prepared to combat any legislation which might adversely affect the practice of radiology in Louisiana.
  
  
• Economics and Health Policy
  Your Carrier Advisory Committee (CAC) representative works continuously with our state’s Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medical Director to ensure fair reimbursement for radiological services which we all provide.
  
  
• ACR Standards
  Your Councilors work hard to review proposed resolutions and actively represent your interests at the annual ACR Meeting. It is largely because of a proposed resolution submitted by the Louisiana delegation that the ACR is changing the name of its “Standards” to “Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards.”
  
  
• Membership
  The RSL has been working to strengthen leadership within our Chapter. We are encouraging active participation of residents and young physician members in chapter and ACR activities.
  
  
• Finance
  The RSL has continually exercised fiscal responsibility and has remained financially sound.
  
  
• Organizational Structure
  The RSL has been reassessing its organizational structure to ensure efficient and effective operations.
  
  
• Education
  For 2003, the RSL will be having a single meeting at Beau Rivage in Biloxi, MS on Nov 8-9. We have invited the Mississippi and Alabama Chapters to join us and they have both accepted. We will provide about 10 hours CME with guest speakers on MR, CT and PET topics. We will have ACR speakers update us on HIPAA regulations and manpower issues including the radiology assistant position. A Mississippi Senator or Congressman will be invited to update us on congressional issues and national malpractice reform.

Thank you for your support and participation which makes this work possible.

Dennis Kay, M.D., F.A.C.R.
President, Radiological Society of Louisiana