History of The Society of Thoracic Radiology

The Society of Thoracic Radiology was founded in 1982 to develop an inclusive organization of radiologists interested in and dedicated to cardiopulmonary radiology.

A list of achievements of the Society since its founding include the following highlights:

	Recognition of the Journal of Thoracic Imaging as the official journal of the Society under the editorship of Dr. Charles White, an officer of the Society of Thoracic Radiology.
	Organization of the 1st Annual Meeting and four day Scientific Conclave and Instructional Course of the Society in Miami, Florida in 1983.
	Organization of the Research and Education Fund Committee later called the Development and Corporate Relations Committee to fund research and education for the Society.
	The Education Committee, initially chaired by Dr. Robert Steiner and later by Dr. Steve Swensen, was successful in developing the following programs.
		Guidelines for chest radiology including computed tomography, the PA and lateral standing chest radiograph, the portable chest radiograph, interventional thoracic procedures and percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy procedures. All of these guidelines have been developed, communicated to the American College of Radiology and published as official standards of the College.
		Development of a Curriculum Sub-Committee which completed a thoracic radiology curriculum for all four years of the traditional residency programs.
		Development of an internet bulletin board for the Society of Thoracic Radiology to help educate and re-educate members of the radiology community in chest radiology. This activity is orchestrated by Dr. Jeff Galvin.
		Development of a close liaison with the North American Society of Cardiac Imaging with the goal of developing an accreditation program in thoracic radiology. This project was first under the leadership of Dr. Theresa McLoud. A Conjoint Committee of the North American Society of Cardiac Imaging and the Society of Thoracic Radiology was organized to monitor the fellowship accreditation process.

The members of the Society of Thoracic Radiology fully expect the Society to continue to grow and become an ever more important force in thoracic radiology and serve the role of the major representative of thoracic radiology to the rest of the radiology, as well as the interdisciplinary groups such as the American Thoracic Society and the American College of Chest Physicians. The Society will continue to encourage young radiologists to consider thoracic radiology as a career by supporting the development of state-of-the-art cardiac and pulmonary oriented fellowships in thoracic radiology. A newsletter and the website will be the vehicles of the Society of Thoracic Radiology to disseminate information concerning the Annual Meeting, the website, fellowships, and other information.

Future development includes closer relationships between the Society of Thoracic Radiology and other societies such as the North American Society of Cardiac Imaging because of their common interests. The Society will strive to encourage chest radiologists to participate actively in new imaging modalities including MRI of both heart and lungs to enhance the skills of thoracic radiologists in providing efficient and timely care for patients referred for thoracic imaging examinations. The Society is dedicated to additional research funding, working towards official recognition of diagnostic imaging by the NIH, and other activities to promote thoracic radiology as an integral part of the discipline of diagnostic radiology.