Letter from the EANM President
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Jolanta Kunikowska
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Dear EANM Members,
Dear colleagues and friends,
The holiday season is coming to an end, and I sincerely hope that you were able to fully recharge your batteries so you can get off to a flying start with what is ahead of you.
First of all, I am really happy to announce that the Women´s EmpoWErment initiative has been launched, with the aim to strengthen the role of women within our field. The Women´s EmpoWErment Task Force is led by Laura Evangelista (Italy) and consists of the following 10 talented and motivated women:
- Agata Pietrzak, Poland
- Lidia Cunha, Portugal
- Ozgul Ekmekcioglu, Türkiye
- Amy Eccles, United Kingdom
- Petra Petranovic Ovcaricek, Croatia
- Valentina Garibotto, Switzerland
- Sona Balogova, Slovakia
- Ora Israel, Israel
- Valentina Ambrosini, Italy
- Valerie Lewington, United Kingdom
The Task Force is divided into different activities, which are, among other things, organised and overseen by our Women´s EmpoWErment Secretary, Amy Eccles. Otherwise, these activities are coordinated by their respective representatives: Our Mentoring Representative is Ora Israel, who will oversee all organisational aspects. Acting as Outreach Representative is Valentina Garibotto, who is the main contact point for all networking initiatives. Agata Pietrzak coordinates the social media campaign, website updates and newsletter contributions as Communications Representative. And the Volunteers’ Pool Coordinator, Lidia Cunha, manages further support by women who would like to aid the initiative.
As we received so many applications from motivated candidates, we decided to create the afore mentioned Volunteers’ Pool with an open number of members. This group aims at working closely with the Task Force upon the request of the Task Force Leader or the responsible Representative. So, if you are a dynamic and motivated woman and would like to join the Volunteers’ Pool, feel free to contact Lidia Cunha via the Executive Office. Ms. Silvia Marchetti will kindly forward your request.
Furthermore, I am truly proud to present to you our initiative’s logo:
We hope you are as pleased as we are and invite you to express your thoughts on the EANM’s social media channels by liking, sharing, and commenting on posts.
When I asked our role model Education Chair, Paola A. Erba, when she finds time for her heart-project ESMIT, she answered: “I wake up early and then I work for two hours on ESMIT. Afterwards, I practice yoga and, finally, I am ready to get work started”. Sounds like a recipe for success!
After having switched the platform, Paola and her team are currently restructuring ESMIT activities. Next to the usual ESMIT events, the new structure will, for the first time, include thematic tracks with courses on related topics, starting with webinars that build up to more detailed online courses in 2023, and eventually lead to a face-to-face course in 2024.
As announced last time, the traditional spring meeting with our National Delegates brought up the discussion around the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nuclear medicine departments in Europe. Ana Paula Moreira from Portugal volunteered to take the lead in writing an editorial. For this reason, I am delighted to share with you that the editorial has been published in EJNMMI.
Furthermore, the report on the SMER 2 study on therapeutic radionuclides is now published. The EANM National Societies were invited to take part in the survey and the Board was in the lucky position to have access to the draft prior to its publication. This allowed us to express our support, to share our point of view and to add a statement on the gathered data in relation to national state representation.
Our community is really impressed by the recently published results of the Vision trial study in NEJM, which will have a big impact on clinical practices and surely push radioligand therapy forward as well. A quick approval by the FDA and EMA is expected. Also, our Oncology & Theranostics Committee just started an initiative on how to promote first steps in theranostics in Europe in the form of an enabling guide called “How to set up a theranostics centre”.
Additionally, on the policy and networking level, Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, as well as the SAMIRA Action Plan, remain the main projects to support and to help shaping by getting actively involved. With both, the plan of the European Commission is to ensure access to high-quality nuclear technologies for European citizens under the highest safety standards. Furthermore, the EANM is getting ready for a consultation-heavy autumn and, of course, its annual Congress, where I hope to welcome you!
Last, but not least, I would like to express my huge appreciation to the EANM Committee Members, the National Delegates, the Working Group Members, as well as authors, reviewers, panellists, moderators and presenters. – We very much value your incredible efforts and dedication!
Until my next update, which you may expect at the end of this year, I would like to extend my best wishes for the months ahead. Meanwhile, please feel free to contact me any time.
Yours,
Jolanta Kunikowska
EANM President 2021-2022