Intersociety Committee Overview

The Intersociety Committee is a freestanding committee of the American College of Radiology (ACR). It was established to:

 

• promote collegiality within the field of radiology
• foster and encourage communication and interchange among the national radiological societies
• identify, evaluate and make recommendations on problems and areas of concern in radiology identified by the member societies or at the Summer Conference.

The agenda for its meetings is to be generated within the Committee and not imposed on by any one organization.

Intersociety Committee Mission

The spirit of these purposes is embodied in the following mission statement adopted by the committee members: 
“To establish and promote communication among the leaders of national radiological societies and to provide them with open access to all the resources of the College through the committee, with the chair serving as an ombudsman for all radiologic organizations; to act as the catalyst between the Summer Conference and the College in its function as the lead agency for the radiologic community and particularly in consideration of those topics identified by the Summer Conference attendees which extend beyond the perimeters of any one society, including the College.”

Intersociety Committee History / Development of the Summer Conference

The first Intersociety Committee of the Board of Chancellors was established in 1936. On many occasions the College has sponsored informal and formal meetings of the officers of radiologic societies, the most notable being one in 1969 under the leadership of Dr. Robert McConnell when he served as speaker of the Council. This activity led to societal representation in the Council and was a major step in the coordination of interests in socioeconomic matters and improved intersocietal communication. Today 22 specialty societies have representation on the ACR Council.

The first “Summit” meeting was held in the summer of 1979. The following year the Intersociety Commission was formed to establish a vehicle for communication among the leaders of national radiological societies. In October of 1980 a letter of invitation was sent to all identifiable national radiological societies. During that year 22 societies joined the commission.  In 2001 the Intersociety Commission became the Intersociety Committee. The name change did not alter the mission or functions of the group.  Currently, there are 50 organizations, including 2 certifying boards, which participate as committee members.  

The “Summit” was renamed the “Summer Conference” in 1996. The Intersociety Committee, as sponsor of the annual Summer Conference, serves as a vital link in the organizational chain of radiology, bringing together diverse organizations with various missions into one cohesive group discussing concerns of vital interest to the specialty as a whole. It serves as a gathering place for leaders in radiology. In this forum each society has an equal voice helping to formulate solutions to the issues confronting the practice of diagnostic radiology and radiation oncology.

Intersociety Committee Chairs

In accordance with the ACR bylaws, the chair of the committee is appointed by the chair of the Board of Chancellors. In terms of membership, each society names its own representatives to the Committee. Past chairs have been:

Lee F. Rogers, MD	1980 to 1986
Glen W. Hartman, MD	1986 to 1989
Bruce McClennan, MD	1989 to 1995
E. Stephen Amis, Jr., MD	1995 to 1996
Kay H. Vydareny, MD	1996 to 2001
N. Reed Dunnick, MD	2001 to 2008
Gerald D. Dodd III, MD	2008 to 2016
Jonathan B. Kruskal, MD	2016 to present

Intersociety Committee Executive Committee

The Executive Committee serves at the pleasure of the committee chair. The charge of the committee is to select topics for the annual Summer Conference and act on behalf of the Committee between meetings. In 1995, the Executive Committee was restructured so that there would be more consistency. Six members are appointed to the committee by the committee chair with the approval of the chair of the ACR Board of Chancellors. To be eligible for membership, an individual must have attended at least one Summer Conference, preferably as an official representative of a member society. Appointments to the Executive Committee are staggered so that two members are appointed each year to serve one three year term.  

Additionally, the committee chair may appoint ad hoc members to the committee as needed to bring special skills or expertise to the committee or to deal with special events. Such ad hoc members are not to exceed two in number and the term of service would be for one year.  

The 2016-2017 Executive Committee members are: 

David C. Beyer, MD	2015-2018
Giles W. Boland, MD	2014-2017
Cheri L. Canon, MD	2016-2019
Carolyn C. Meltzer, MD	2016-2019
James V. Rawson, MD	2016-2018
Richard Sharpe Jr., MD	2014-2017

Summary

The Intersociety Committee brings the leadership of radiology together to promote mutual understanding, and encourage cohesion and cooperation. It has opened the resources of the College to the component societies while enhancing the College by affording ready access to the wealth of information and expertise of the membership of the committee. As envisioned by its founders, the Intersociety Committee has proven to be a unifying influence and strengthening force within the specialty. The Executive Committee has provided the needed continuity for the Summer Conference and as a result, the conferences have been well attended and well received.