From the June 2018 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine


HCB News: How is nuclear medicine doing in regard to filling staffing positions?
SM: Based on the AAMC data, the number of people in nuclear medicine training is largely proportional to the number of people coming into radiology training. Radiology, in general, had some difficult years during the last several years, but I think we’re coming out from that dip— recognizing this field with new value and technology. But as a whole, across the entire imaging practice, we’re still short of new professionals entering the field, and this is something we are really working hard to change through various societal efforts.

HCB News: Is nuclear medicine moving into any other specialty’s space where it might cause a sense of competition?

SM: Nuclear medicine is an interdisciplinary field. We have, for example, cardiologists and neurologists attending our meeting. We generate new technology, and sometimes we’re giving up some of that to clinical disciplines so they can be better implemented. I think the field really enjoys interdisciplinary collaboration, and it is a strength. We continue to bring new value and technology into healthcare, and we all have to work together to increase value to patients.

HCB News: What do you think are the main challenges facing SNMMI today?
SM: My generation has been really fortunate to directly work with pioneers in the field of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. We now need to provide strong mentorship to inspire the next generation of our specialists.

There is also the challenge of training pathways for the interdisciplinary fields of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. We are actively strategizing how best we can provide training for future nuclear medicine/molecular imaging physicians and scientists.

There are challenges that SNMMI may not be able to fully control, such as the regulatory differences in the United States versus Europe, versus Asia, or how nuclear medicine is reimbursed differentially across countries. We are working closely with stakeholders in the U.S. and international partners to address these issues.

HCB News: Are there any recent developments or plans for SNMMI that you can share?
SM: Various leaders and members of the SNMMI are working on multiple initiatives and ongoing projects. These initiatives will be announced at the upcoming annual meeting in Philadelphia in June. There will be a lot of discussions about new theranostic approaches and new tracers for neuroscience, cardiology, and other medical conditions. The field is moving forward rapidly, and there will be very active scientific sessions at the annual meeting.

June 2018 Magazine

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