ECVDI Newsletter - May 2023
Newsletter Highlights
- Message from the President
- AGM Forum
- Call for Nominations
- Congress Director Position
- Job Task Analysis
- AGM reminder
- Technician Society
- Member Fees
- VetMeet 2023
- Dates for diary
Message from the President
Dear All,
The year is rushing on fast and summer will soon be upon us. The College committees have remained hard at work and we are all looking forward to the IVRA meeting in Dublin in June.
On 13th April 2023 we held our first Zoom meeting for the Diplomates to facilitate a discussion on the ‘Flexible Pathways’. One of the few good things which came from the Covid-Pandemic was the use of digital meetings, giving us an easier possibility to get together and discuss topics without having to travel.
I would like to thank Chris Warren-Smith, Paul Barthez, Gayle Hallowell and Mark Bowen for being on the panel and leading the discussion.
I was absolutely overwhelmed with the interest for this Zoom meeting; there were at times more then 90 Diplomates attending the meeting. It was a very lively discussion and we were very happy about the input of our Diplomates giving us an even better idea what the thoughts and feelings are on the ‘Flexible pathway’. I just wanted to point out, that whatever direction the College decides to go, the goal will always be to maintain a high-standard of training for Veterinary Radiologists. We do not intend to create an “easy route” or “second-class” radiologists. I hope we were able to answer some of your questions. Chris will respond to the questions, we were not able to answer during the meeting. Furthermore, the presentation on the ‘Flexible Pathways’ and a link to the recording will be included in this Newsletter, so that Diplomates who were not able to attend the Zoom meeting can revisit this information: https://www.ecvdi.org/%22Diplomate%22
Given the great interest, we will organize more Zoom meetings in the future. If there are topics you are interested in to discuss, please send these to Catherine (adminecvdi@ecvdi.eu).
I am also happy to announce that Hester McAllister made it possible to organize a Forum-meeting during IVRA on Wednesday 21st 2023 at 8.00 -8.40 am for ECVDI Diplomates:
Nearly 30 years ECVDI: quo vadis?
In this Forum the Diplomates of the ECVDI will have the chance to discuss the future of the College.
How will the future in veterinary diagnostic imaging look like in this rapidly changing world and what can we do as ECVDI?
Think of:
How can we prevent the radiologist from becoming invisible?
How can we increase the number of DI specialists?
How will AI influence our way of working?
Will ChatGPT do our DI reports in the future?
Call for Nominations
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has signed up to become a member of a committee. The number of nominations was so high that we may have disappointed some diplomates at this point. That selection committee collects those names and will approach them for college work in the future. I am very happy that so many Diplomates are engaged and willing to work to maintain ongoing business and wanting to help to further improve our College.
Congress Director Position
Alison Major managed to guide the EVDI congresses excellently for the past 3 years, including 2 digital conferences due to the Covid pandemic. She has done a great job and we look back at great congresses. 2024 will be her last year as Congress director and we will be looking for someone who would like to step in Alison’s footsteps. The Selection Committee will send out a call for nominations soon with a more detailed description about what this position exactly entails. However, if you feel called upon for this position or you know someone who would be suitable, please do not hesitate to contact Catherine Barclay (adminecvdi@ecvdi.eu).
Job Task Analysis (JTA)
The preliminary Committee has been chosen and Fintan McEvoy has taken the lead in contacting potential members. Together with Rob Malinowski, Veterinary Specialty Exams, a timeline has been set and we hope to send out the JTA by the end of this year. I really want to emphasise in this Newsletter already that it is very important for every Diplomate to participate.
It was a difficult choice with so many good and interested people and we hope that we have included members representing the different areas in our College.
The new JTA will help us to direct the future of our profession and mission of our College.
Annual General Meeting (AGM) Reminder
The next AGM is planned on the 23rd of June, 2023 at the IVRA Congress in Dublin at 3.00pm in Theatre A, O’Brien Building, UCD. Since Covid the AGM is held as a hybrid meeting. The point of attending the AGM is to keep members up to date and involve them in the discussions. So we will continue with the possibility of attending the AGM virtually (remote attendance will be accepted as fulfilling the requirements of attendance for the reaccreditation), even though we do hope members will come in person on a regular base.
We have a very tight schedule and will begin at 3pm with the welcome for the new diplomates.
Technician Society
There has been contact with EAVDI about setting up an European Veterinary Society of Diagnostic Imaging Technicians. Also, the EAVDI sees that technicians have become essential to perform our profession on a high level by using our more and more advanced and complicated diagnostic imaging equipment. In Dublin EAVDI and ECVDI will discuss the possibility to act together to create an umbrella for this group.
Meanwhile I have contacted several technicians who could be interested in taking the lead in forming such a society.
Again, if you know someone who would be interested, please, let me know.
Stay safe and make sure you attend the first Forum-discussion on 21st of June, 2023 at 8.00 am in Dublin.
With kind regards,
Susanne Boroffka
President, ECVDI
Member Fees - 2023
The 2023 membership fees for Diplomates and Associates will be due on 1 June 2023. These can be paid via your profile on the ECVDI website after this date. Please note you will not be able to make the payment before 1 June. A reminder will be sent to members nearer the time. Payment can be made electronically either using Paypal or a credit card (you do not have to set up a Paypal account in order to make the payment).
Alternatively, if you have any issues accessing your account please contact Catherine Barclay adminecvdi@ecvdi.eu who will be able to assist you by providing an invoice.
Please note a late fee of £50 will be applied to your account if payment is not received by 31 July 2023.
VetMeet Summer Camp 2023
The Vet Meet Summer Camp this year will explore North Africa.
From September 11th to 15th our caravan will set up its tents in the “Pearl of the South”, Marrakesh, one of the royal cities of Morocco. The scientific program will cover all diagnostic imaging modalities (MRI/CT/US) and Interventional radiology applied to migrating diseases throughout the body. A third room will be dedicated to personal development, mental health, and coaching for the veterinary profession.
This is an in-person congress, as we can´t wait to meet and greet ya´ll again! If you can’t join us there, we have an additional Online participation that will give you access to the recordings of the lectures for 6 months. If you don’t want to miss even a single keynote of the three programs, a Hybrid option will have you camping with us in person, and provide you access to the recordings once you’re back home.
Framed between the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert, Marrakesh is the perfect gateway to an unforgettable social program. From a romantic sunrise over the desert ona hot air balloon to an adventurous quad tour among the dunes, you can choose your memorable adventure!
Early subscribers have already joined us, and now it’s your turn to reserve your spot. Direct subscription here. You can find further information on www.vetmeet.com
Yes, we camp!
Dates for the Diary
2023
- 7 June 2023: ECVDI theoretical exam resit
- 18-23 June 2023: IVRA - University College Dublin, Ireland: http://www.ivraevdi2023.com
- 23 June 2023: ECVDI AGM - Hybrid meeting Dublin and online
- 11-15 September 2023: VetMeet Summer Camp - Marrakech
- 4-5 November 2023: RIVDI Mock Board (London)
2024
- 24-25 January 2024: ECVDI Practical Exam - Zurich
- 26 January 2024: ECVDI Theoretical Exam - to be held remotely