Applied Radiology asked each of the award winners to comment on his experience participating in the Bracco "Leaders on the Horizon" RSNA Resident Program.

Daniel J. Parker, MD

This program is a wonderful opportunity for residents to be exposed to the world of research. I learned a lot about my topic. It is always nice to have a first author publication. I think the experience of working on a manuscript will help me with future academic pursuits. Working on an article has given me great insight into the academic process and new respect for the publication process. I developed a strong respect for radiology journals and academicians.

This program is a wonderful educational experience, and I recommend it to all residents. Attending the RSNA meeting is an outstanding experience in that it gives one the opportunity to learn the latest developments in the field of radiology.

My suggestions to future residents participating in this program are:

* Enjoy RSNA.

* Have an agenda when you arrive at RSNA so that you might most effectively make use of your time. The selection of presentations is diverse, and it's best to know ahead of time which of these you would like to attend.

* Work on a topic you are interested in.

I would strongly recommend this program to every resident--especially those who want a deeper appreciation for the world of academics.