RSNA Press Release

OAK BROOK, Ill. (November 13, 2012)—The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) and the Radiological and Diagnostic Imaging Society of São Paulo (SPR) have formed a partnership for the joint planning of Jornada Paulista de Radiologia (JPR) in 2014, 2016 and 2018. JPR is the leading medical imaging meeting in Latin America.

"The RSNA has developed a close relationship with our colleagues in South America, and the leaders of the two societies are convinced that this partnership will be crucial to the future of our specialty," said RSNA 2012 President George S. Bisset III, M.D.

Both RSNA and SPR form international alliances in order to develop and enhance the contact between radiologists and professionals from various regions of the world. Collaborating on scientific meetings like JPR is an important example of this work.

After many years of attending the JPR meetings, RSNA and SPR leaders came to the conclusion that a partnership would be beneficial to their shared goal of advancing radiologic science and education internationally. They agreed to work together to plan and implement a meeting in 2014, designed to showcase some of the best work that both organizations offer. RSNA and SPR expect that this partnership will enhance future scientific collaborations and international exchange of ideas.

"Throughout our five-year partnership with RSNA, we'll have three events in Brazil, during JPR 2014, 2016 and 2018. In addition to the significant scientific partnership, we will have a cultural exchange between the two countries, which I believe is extremely important to Brazilian radiology and our membership" said Dr. Ricardo Baaklini, president of SPR.

Dr. Henrique Carrete Jr., General Secretary of SPR and Elect President of the Brazilian College of Radiology (CBR) added, "SPR is very proud of this partnership. The RSNA board and delegates have been in Sao Paulo several times and their understanding of the structure of JPR has facilitated our efforts to create an immersion of RSNA meeting planning experience within the JPR. With this partnership, we hope to make JPR the most important radiology event in the Southern Hemisphere."

The São Paulo radiological meeting (JPR) is an annual conference organized by SPR. Over the past four decades, JPR has grown to become the largest radiological and diagnostic imaging meeting in Latin America and the fourth largest in the world. Last May, JPR 2012 gathered more than 12,000 participants.

In 2014, 2016 and 2018, RSNA will work closely with SPR to plan meeting content, provide speakers and assist in developing materials and courses that are not typically offered at JPR.

"We look forward to collaborating with SPR on a variety of initiatives to bring unique opportunities to radiologists in Brazil," said Richard Baron, M.D., RSNA Board Liaison for Education. "Initially, this endeavor will begin with RSNA participating in the JPR program planning and sending expert speakers to help facilitate nontraditional sessions."

The partnership is expected to extend beyond the meeting to promote membership in both organizations. RSNA has increasingly become a global organization, with 26 percent of its membership residing outside North America. RSNA currently has over 2,800 members from South America, including 2,026 members from Brazil.

"The RSNA and the SPR are devoted to the dissemination of the knowledge of radiology," said Dr. Renato Adam Mendonça, Scientific Director of SPR. "I have the best expectations for this joint venture. We Brazilians will have the benefit of learning from a formidable partner, while the Americans will benefit from sharing our creativity, ingenuity and development capacity."

The RSNA 98th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, to be held November 25 - 30, 2012, in Chicago, is the world's premier radiologic forum with nearly 60,000 attendees expected. Thirty-five percent of RSNA Annual Meeting attendees are from outside the United States. At RSNA 2012 a special Brazil Presents session will highlight discoveries, techniques and practical clinical applications from investigators in Brazil.

"The partnership with SPR supports the RSNA's mission to improve patient care around the world through science and education in radiology," Dr. Bisset said.

RSNA (RSNA.org) is an association of more than 50,000 radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists, promoting excellence in patient care and health care delivery through education, research and technologic innovation. The Society is based in Oak Brook, Ill.

SPR (www.SPR.org.br) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to scientific development of medical imaging in the state and national levels. The organization was founded in 1968, and it currently has 2,800 members working in all areas of radiology: ultrasound, computed tomography, MRI, nuclear medicine and radiotherapy.