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By Ernesto A. Cerdena, PhD, RT, CRA, FAHRA
Yeehaw! Welcome to the 44th AHRA Annual Meeting and Convention here in Music City! This is the premier place for learning, networking, connecting, and exploring. Whether you are a novice or an expert leader in medical imaging management, we have an amazing program in store for everyone:
Learning– Begin your experience with one of our pre-conference workshops or a round of golf to benefit the EF, proceed with our three prestigious keynote speakers, and along the way attend our many basic or advanced track sessions to learn evidence-based practices in medical imaging management and operations.
Networking– Facing challenges with developing your FY 2017 budget or justifying a new XR-29 compliant CT scanner? Network with peers and old friends to discuss and exchange ideas about these important issues. Your boss will praise you when you bring back these best practice tools.
Connecting– If you have pending equipment acquisition or questions about an RFP from your preferred vendors, you can catch up with them and all of our vendors at the exhibit hall during lunch, beginning tomorrow until Wednesday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM each day (see pages 6-7 for more details).
Exploring– Nashville is a wonderful city to explore and has something for everybody. Start your exploration with the Gaylord Opryland by cruising around the indoor river and cascading waterfalls, and enjoying 9 acres of majestic gardens. Do not forget the music scene downtown, where you can jam with up-and-coming country singers while enjoying great food and other delights the city has to offer.
There are many special receptions I’d encourage you to attend, starting with tonight’s President’s Reception, which is open to all. Before the President’s Reception, we will also be welcoming new members and first time attendees in a special reception, as well as an exclusive Education Foundation VIP reception for our gold-level donors. On Tuesday, CRAs will connect at the yearly CRA Reception – stay for the group photo! On our last day, we will end the meeting Nashville-style. Wear your boots and cowboy hats to enjoy our country themed party and dance the night away.
As the current President of AHRA, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the AHRA Board of Directors, the AHRA Education Foundation Board of Directors, the RACC commissioners, and our CEO and staff for making this journey a rewarding success. Also, many thanks to the unsung heroes of AHRA – committee chairs and members, liaisons, and all the volunteers. Special mention goes to the amazing and talented Annual Meeting Design Team for making this a meeting to remember.
To all the members, thank you for your continued support and for believing in me.
AHRA has achieved great success despite many disruptions in the healthcare industry this past year. My journey does not end here. Together, we will face more challenges ahead of us – we are all in this together!
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