What's New
As I sit to write this message, my last as the President of AEIRS, I find that there are many things I wish to share with the membership, some of them business related and some of them of a personal nature. Much like what happens at parties, as guests are departing they often think of a million little things to say on the way out the door.
Some business related items include: The AEIRS Annual Meeting Planner (Carole South-Winter) and Annual Meeting Chairperson (Tracy Herrmann) have been hard at work preparing for this year’s Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah at the Radisson Downtown on July 11-12. Make your reservations now, as this is shaping up to be a very informative and interesting conference! Salt Lake City is the home of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and one of the “extras” that has been planned is an evening visit to watch one of their practices. Certainly a can’t miss opportunity, so make sure you check the box on your meeting registration form if you plan to attend.
Have you been to the AEIRS website lately? We have a new feature: a “donate now” button for you to submit any donations to our scholarship fund. This addition was suggested by one of AEIRS earliest members, Phil Ballinger, who contacted us and offered this idea for increasing contributions to the scholarship funds. If you have not seen it yet, this feature can be found on the main AEIRS webpage. Don’t forget -- Also included on the main AEIRS webpage this year is a one-time contribution option in memory of Debra McMahon, who passed away unexpectedly in 2012. Any monies raised in her name will be placed into the “Invest in the Future” scholarship fund.
The 2013-2014 Board of Directors Election results are in! Congratulations to the new President-Elect, Tracy Herrmann, Secretary/Treasurer, Jennifer Chiu and Director-at-Large, Kelli Haynes -- you will all be a great addition to the Board of Directors. To all those who ran for office, your willingness to make a difference is appreciated and please consider running for office again. The annual election is an important benefit of your AEIRS membership; it is important to vote and make your voice heard. This year only 21% of our membership voted -- somehow we need to increase these numbers.... Any suggestions?
On a personal note, becoming the President of AEIRS is an accomplishment I never dreamed I would reach. When I began my studies in radiography, my dreams/goals were very modest -- I wanted to be a clinical instructor someday. Much to my surprise (!) I ended up taking this idea to another level by becoming the Clinical Coordinator for a radiography program (didactic faculty, no less). Joining and becoming involved with AEIRS helped me advance my goals even further, culminating in my current position here. Once again, so far beyond my modest original goals. Someone asked me what I plan to do when I leave the Board at our 2014 Annual Meeting, and my response was, “I have no idea how to even begin to make new goals, because I have already advanced so far beyond my original aspirations.” I am sure I will think of something, it just may take me a little time to think of it.
I did some checking to find out how many languages actually include the words “thank you” and found out that of the over 6,000 active languages, only 400 have the words. Since English is the only language I am fluent in, I will keep this simple, thank you for the last year as well as the support, friendship and collegiality I have enjoyed as the President of The Association of Educators in Imaging and Radiologic Science.
Deborah Leighty, M Ed, RT(R)(BD)
AEIRS President