Closing Out While Looking Ahead

Greetings, ASTROnews readers. For this update, we’re looking forward to the 67th Annual Meeting of ASTRO.

Our ASTRO President, Sameer Keole, MD, FASTRO, has been working tirelessly to help bring the best meeting ever to the greater ASTRO and radiation oncology community. The idea of exploring “New Indications” for radiotherapy, while something under discussion in the past, seems ready for prime time and ready for radiation oncology clinics worldwide. As a specialty, we have performed well in developing clinical evidence supporting the role of radiotherapy for oncologic indications such as prostate and breast cancer. The role of NRG Oncology and EORTC, among many others, has been pivotal. Robust clinical trial data in the nonmalignant space will allow radiation oncologists (radiation physicians, maybe?) to provide evidence-based recommendations to those with nonmalignant conditions that might benefit from therapy. I am looking forward to learning more at the 67th meeting in San Francisco, which is, by the way, one of the world’s best cities for hosting medical conventions.

In preparing for this year’s Annual Meeting, I’m recalling fondly other Annual Meetings and related activities. During the first ASTRO Annual Meeting I attended, our meeting was small enough to be held at a hotel convention facility rather than the large meeting sites we currently employ. Some of my favorite activities each year include the Plenary presentation for the most impactful presentations, networking with friends and colleagues in the meeting hall and in the evening at departmental receptions, touring the amazing exhibition floor plus meeting exhibitor staff, and attending the awards ceremony — the awardees are always excited to be honored. Additionally, as part of my board chair role, I’ve been privileged to meet with ARRO leaders during Advocacy Day in Washington, DC, and during the Annual Meeting as part of ARRO Day. These folks are our future Society leaders, and it is great to engage with them. Let’s also make a brief plug for the Annual ASTRO Business Meeting for those eligible to attend. There is usually some business that needs membership attention plus the Cobb salad is do-not-miss. As the Society’s current board chair, my schedule will be filled with various activities. Once my chair duties have concluded, I am looking forward to attending a future Annual Meeting and doing nothing but attending one scientific session after another. Pure joy.

Adding my congratulations to this summer’s elected Society leaders! ASTRO’s Board of Directors consists of 17 dedicated and committed volunteers, working on current issues and thinking continually about making our Society better and advocating for radiotherapy. The new class of board members, highlighted in this issue of ASTRONews, have all been active ASTRO committee participants, which is key to learning how the Society itself functions. Committee service is usually a prerequisite for consideration by the Nominating Committee.

As my ASTRO Board Chair term ends, I’m pleased that the Society is strong financially and pleased that our specialty is thriving clinically with both sustained oncologic benefits and with “New Indications.” The future is bright for the patients that we touch with radiotherapy.