The Annual Conference 2011 took place on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th October and was noted as one of the largest assemblies that the Society has had in recent times. The conference theme this year was entitled "Medical Imaging makes the difference."
Many Radiographers, students and other allied healthcare workers were present over the two day conference and did of course spent another splendid time of continuing education. From new radiological science graduates to medical specialists including a fine team of experienced radiographers, all presented papers that were informative and current to professional practice.
The opening ceremony was held on Saturday morning just before 9 am and was presided by the Honorable Minister of Health (Dr. Fuad Khan) representative Dr. Kumar Sundarneedi, Medical Director of Health Programmes and Technical Support Services and Chairman of the Council for the Professions related to Medicine, who brought warm greetings and complimentary remarks to all present. The audience was then entertained by instrumentalist, Mr. Chambers. Chairman of the opening ceremony was none other than the executive's hardworking secretary, Ms. Rhonda Dipsingh. Present at the head table were Dr. Sundarneedi, Mrs. Shirley Bland Mohon (Chairman of the Radiographers of Trinidad & Tobago), Mr. Timothy Dean (President of the Society of Radiographers of Trinidad & Tobago) and Mrs. Anushka Kattick-Mahabirsingh (ISRRT Council Member). All gave greetings and encouraging comments to the audience.
The President , Mr Timothy Dean, reiterated the importance of Radiographers to manage the use of ionizing radiation with safety being the major priority and to eliminate complacency from their daily practice. Mrs. Bland Mohon gave an update on the Radiographers' Board and its progress. Mrs. Kattick-Mahabirsingh also gave an update on the ISRRT and the forth coming Congress in Toronto in mid 2012.
The following is an excerpt from the President's speech:
"This year our theme is entitled "Medical Imaging makes the difference". No one knows this statement better than our professionals who work daily in Radiology Departments across the country. Referring physicians and surgeons depend highly on Medical Imaging as we represent the "Eyes" of medicine to help save patients' lives...
It is said that "with great power comes great responsibility". I would like to encourage all our professionals and professionals-to-be, not to forget the power we wield when we apply ionizing radiation on a daily basis. It is a silent danger but its effects are far reaching even to the next generations. There will be times when further medical imaging will yield no more information. To subject a patient to additional ionizing radiation willl seem unthinkable, especially if it does not change the management of our patient. Let us be the voices for radiation safety and patient safety on the whole, and not just the eyes of medicine.
It is our responsibility therefore, to inform and educate our fellow medical professionals and even patients about the risks associated with Medical Imaging. Let us use all our opportunities to advocate best practices in utilizing ionizing radation and even with the use of other imaging modalities with their inherent risks."
One of the main highlights of this year's conference was the presence of some of our corporate sponsors who made up our conference exhibit and gave out product information and handouts to all participants. This brought an exceptional flavour to the conference experience.
Those sponsors who participated in the conference exhibition:
1. Cemrad Limited
2. Bayer Pharmaceuticals Limited
3. Bryden Pi Limited / Covidien
4. Southern Radiology Supplies & Services Limited
The Society was also grateful to all the sponsors of door prizes and congratulates the respective winners! To all presenters, chairmen and participants the Society will always be appreciative of the efforts made towards the success of Annual Conference 2011.
The conference ended on Sunday afternoon with closing remarks and vote of thanks by Ms. Aneesa Ali, Vice President.