Back to Where it All Started

By Mark E. Feeley, MBA, RT(R), CRA

I am super excited to personally invite each and every member of AHRA to attend the 46th Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida! The magic happens July 22-25, 2018 at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center. In particular I’d like to reach out to members who haven’t yet had the chance to experience what is often called the “Family Reunion.” Let’s expand the family! You can meet face-to-face with peers from across the country and even the world.

For me, this year’s Annual Meeting takes me back to where it all started. My first Annual Meeting was in Orlando in 2012. I met amazing people who quickly became not only networking contacts, but also lifelong friends. I guarantee that you’ll meet new people who you will then call friends. All it takes is a handshake and a “hello!” You can start with the design team. We’ll be there to guide you through the week. This year I am proud to be the chair of the most outstanding, energetic, innovative, and yes…“super” design team that has ever graced AHRA! Each member has a special power that will be revealed only for those attending the meeting!

What can you expect at the conference? Not only do we have three world class, inspirational keynote speakers and over 70 breakout sessions for imaging leaders, but also the opportunity to network with the brightest minds in the industry. Are you a new leader or bringing the rising star from your facility? Perfect! The Basic Track is a great way to build a solid foundation in imaging leadership.

To kick off the week, you can play a round of golf to mingle with other members and raise money for the AHRA Education Foundation. Not a golfer? No problem. Also on Sunday morning, Jake Poore is running a workshop called “The Power of Connections: Making Lasting Images.”

Looking to do more this year? Are you a writer? Do you like technology? Well, have I got a deal for you. Volunteers make the wheels of the AHRA bus turn. During the Annual Meeting there are lots of opportunities to get involved and help the association. Please click on this link to learn more and lend a hand.

Let us not forget… work hard, play hard! The 2018 Annual Meeting is taking place in Orlando Florida, the home of Disney World, Universal Studios, and Sea World. Discount Disney park tickets are available for purchase, for conference attendees only. On Wednesday night, the superheroes will unite for one super good time at the “AHRA Super Bash.” The design team has cooked up a fantastic night of super-powers, super-music, and super-stepping! Look out for the team to lead the way onto the dance floor.

AHRA has created a justification toolkit to help you with your request to your facility to support attending the Annual Meeting. Our speakers promise to deliver at least one gem of knowledge for you to take back to your teams after the conference. The Osborn Scholarship and Annual Meeting Scholarship are also available to members who would be otherwise unable to attend, and if you register before this Friday, April 27, you’ll save $50 off registration!

Come on and join us on the next, great AHRA adventure!

Mark E. Feeley, MBA, RT(R), CRA is the manager, radiology informatics and quality at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA. He can be reached at mark.feeley@bhs.org.