The Society for Computer Applications in Radiology

T HIS YEAR has been a turning point for the Society for Computer Applications in Radiology (SCAR) and Radiology Information System Consortium (RISC). Historicalty RISC was the parent and older organization, formed in 1980 by a group of academic and private hospitals for the purpose of developing a new generation RIS with a commercial partner which could be used by member institutions and others. Over the years the scope of activities of RISC broadened into other areas related to computers. In 1989, SCAR was spawned under the financial wing of RISC. SCAR is an organization of individuals with a journal (Journal of Digital Imaging), the SCAR Newsletter, the now annual meeting on computer applications in Radiology, and various other activities. Recently, it became apparent that there were some duplications in the efforts of these two organizations, and reality suggested that SCAR had a compelling and broader mission. Efforts to merge the two organizations were undertaken last year and concluded at the RSNA. The successful merger was accomplished through the extraordinary efforts of the two organizations' leadership, in particular Philip Drew, PhD and David Piraino, MD, the outgoing chairmen of SCAR and RISC respectively, and our management from the American College of Radiology. During this process, there was an overlooked provision in the RISC bylaws for individual membership. For various legal reasons, it became much easier to merge SCAR into RISC, rather than vice versa, and change the name of RISC to SCAR. This was in fact the plan that was successfully enacted. Ir was also decided to have an inclusive transitional Board of Directors, temporarily larger than the permanent Board. The new SCAR will have three categories of membership: individuals, hospitals that were formerly the institutional members of old RISC, and corporate members. The commitments to institutions and corporations will be strengthened and the management efforts will be streamlined, to be more cost-effective with less duplication. On a personal note, it is an honor, privilege, and challenge to be asked to serve as the first chairman of the newly combined SCAR/RISC organization. Both of these organizations have meant much to me personally, to my career, and to my professional satisfaction and enjoyment. I began working with pixels and medical imaging as an undergraduate electrical engineer back in 1966. When I started medical school in 197 l, the computed tomography (CT) scanner had not yet been released of publicized, but 1 knew I was going to be a radiologist, because it was absolutely clear that computers were going to have a major impact on noninvasive imaging and diagnosis. Ir was equally clear that digital methods of image storage and display would one day become cost-effective. Well, that day is now. Computer-based imaging techniques have had an incredible impact on medicine. We stand on the threshold of the new challenge of widespread dissemination of digital image data and a new relationship with our clinical colleagues. The challenges have shifted from issues of RIS alone to those of PACS and IS integration. The members of SCAR and RISC have been at the vanguard of this revolution. We will continue to play a leading role through our collegial contacts, our institutional cooperative projects with corporate members, through our truly excellent annual meeting, and the informative Journal of Digital lmaging, Roger Bauman, MD, editor. SCAR 1996 in Denver was a resounding success and a great forum for exchange of ideas through tutorials, and paper and poster presentations. Ir witnessed a significant increase in attendance by our more traditional clinical radiology colleagues, increasingly aware of the necessity of preparing intellectually for this new era. I look forward to an exciting SCAR 1997 meeting hosted by the Mayo Clinic at Rochester, MN, June 21 to 24, chaired by Byrn Williamson, MD. I urge you to attend, to invite your clinical and industrial colleagues to attend and join our organization and enjoy the rewards of membership at a very reasonable cost. I have been very supportive of the merger efforts, so ably managed by my predecessors and colleagues. We will make it work and reap the benefits of a more vital and more efficient organization. I am looking forward to a very good and exciting year.