In fact, I would equate our first 10 years as similar to an infant learning to walk. ISCD’s membership has grown exponentially with implementation of an incredible number of new and exciting projects that we would have thought in conceivable just a few short years ago. Take a few moments and remember our discussion points at the 2002 Annual Meeting. Much has changed since then. Over the past four years many new challenges face ISCD that in large part are due to our conscious decision to advance excellence in the assessment of skeletal health internationally. Similar to an adolescent’s attempt at self-discovery, we have initiated numerous important projects with the premise "anything and everything" is possible.
With ISCD’s phenomenal growth and development comes a stark reality, the possibility that many of our goals will meet with incredible success or failure. However, I would suggest that without vision and calculated risk, continued growth and eventual success is not possible. Everything that has been accomplished, as well as that which has been attempted, is an equally important ingredient of our organization life’s journey. I encourage our committees and staff to continue their efforts to advance excellence in skeletal health assessment while adding to this exciting recipe a judicious dose of strategic thinking and management so we may yet stay the course as dictated by our mission and as such achieve the goals we have set within the framework of our dynamic and ever-changing environment.
To accomplish our goals, a cooperative and focused effort will be required by those in leadership positions. Therefore, I have asked Andy Laster, President-Elect, and Didier Hans, Vice-President, to work closely with me to refine our strategic plan and manage our organization on the basis of a three-, and not a one-year plan. We have met and begun the necessary work on our combined intermediate and long-range goals. I will be working closely with ISCD Committee Chairs, Sue Berry, Executive Director and our most dedicated ISCD staff to bring this to fruition.
The course set by ISCD leadership in 2004 included the following:
Goal A: ISCD will be the indispensable resource for education, certification, and knowledge-sharing with its members worldwide.
Goal B: ISCD will be a proactive advocate for quality skeletal health assessment on behalf of patients by promoting standards, certification and awareness among professionals, regulators, and payors.
Goal C: ISCD will be the recognized worldwide authority promoting the understanding of quality assessment of skeletal health.
I believe these goals are as relevant today as they were when born in the ISCD 2004 think tank. Therefore, my agenda will continue to steer our society’s course according to ISCD’s excellent strategic plan.
My agenda for the forthcoming year will attempt to build on the excellent efforts of my predecessors, David Kendler, Neil Binkley, Steven Petak, Mike Lewiecki, Nelson Watts, John Bilezikian, and Paul Miller.
- An important issue for all nonprofit societies, and ours is no exception to the rule, is continued financial security. I will work closely with our Treasurer, Bobo Tanner, the Finance Committee, Executive Committee, Board of Directorsand Sue Berry to ensure we continue to be financially secure.
- We will complete and implement our ACCME accreditation under the direction of Kathy Diemer and NCCAaccreditation for the Technologist Certification Exam under Sue Williams.
- Under the direction of our Past-President, Neil Binkley, President-Elect, Andy Laster, Legislative Counsel, Donna Fiorentino, and the many other dedicated volunteers and staff, we have had significant success in our efforts to improve DXA reimbursement in the US. As Andy has described so succinctly at the ISCD Annual Meeting Public Policy presentation, we will continue our intense lobbying efforts to reverse the crisis in access to high-quality bone density testing in the US.
- I will be working with Ed Leib, Sue Broy, Steve Petak, and Rogene Tesar to continue our efforts to refine and update the ISCD Bone Densitometry Course and VFA course to include the 2007 Official Positions, the WHO absolute risk algorithm, and National Osteoporosis Foundation’s cost-effective model for treatment of osteoporosis. Also, I will ask the Educational Council to consider asking the Position Development Conference (PDC) Task Force chairs, members, and interested Expert Panelists to develop QCT/pQCT, QUS, and pDXA teaching modules that can be included for presentation either at select ISCD Bone Densitometry Courses or as part of an advanced ISCD course that could be presented at the ISCD Annual Meeting or Position Development Conferences.
- Mike Lewiecki, chair of the ISCD Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), will be assisting interested members of the 2007 Pediatric PDC Steering Committee, Task Forces and Expert Panel assemble a Pediatric SAC to address questions specifically related to our Pediatric Official Positions, develop an ISCD Pediatric Web page with vital reference database links, questions and answers related to the Pediatric Official Positions and be responsible for ISCD’s Second Pediatric PDC. I also envision a Pediatric BDC developed by the Pediatric SAC to be offered to interested clinicians and technologists worldwide.
- We will continue to encourage international panel development, including co-member partnerships and further incorporate all interested volunteers into local and central ISCD committee activities.
- Didier Hans has begun a financial analysis and logistical survey for the forthcoming ISCD Adult PDC that will occur in late 2009 or early 2010.
Lastly, I would encourage all of you to share your constructive thoughts or concerns related to any existing or potential projectswith me and for members not involved at the committee level, to become involved. Your input and contributions to our society are essential to ISCD’s continued growth and success.
And thus, we have ended the adolescent phase of our organization’s development. So join me now on this exciting journey as we experience ISCD’s young adulthood.
Thank you so much,
Sanford Baim, MD, CCD
ISCD President
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