The Circle of (Academic) Life

As we wind down another COVID-marred academic year, I feel like a mother hen, fretting over my fellows as they prepare to leave the nest. Have we served them well? We’ve certainly tried. Taught them everything they need to know? Not possible. Are they ready to fly solo out into the big world of radiology? I sure hope so. I know so. And off they soon go.

It’s funny how every year I get older, but the trainees don’t, the gap between us ever widening and leaving me feeling less and less able to relate to their world. Many check in regularly, sharing an interesting case or asking for a second (third, fourth) opinion. Some reach out occasionally, or we connect through social media or over a meal (in the pre-pandemic era) at a conference.

And some vanish into the ether, never to be heard from again. Those are the ones I wonder about the most. If any of my former trainees are reading this, know that I remember you all fondly and wish you well. Drop me a line sometime.

One Door Closes …

In this season of transitions, I have another bittersweet one to share with you. We are bidding farewell to Jeanne B Ackman, MD, as she retires from our cardiopulmonary imaging section.

“Dr Jeanne Ackman joined our editorial advisory board in October 2016. Over the last six years Dr Ackman has published editorials—notably “It’s Time to Give Thoracic MRI Its Due—” and several review articles in Applied Radiology, while also helping us to better define our mission,” said Kieran N Anderson, vice president and group publisher of Anderson Publishing. “It has truly been a pleasure to have Dr Ackman on our advisory board, and we are incredibly thankful for the impact she’s had on our journal. She will be missed.”

… Another Opens

We try very hard to not have any endings without beginnings around here. For now, one new member will be taking the place of Dr Ackman in our cardiopulmonary imaging section. Kate Hanneman, MD, MPH, associate professor of radiology, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada, is our first of what I hope will be many board members from our neighbor to the north. We are thrilled to welcome Dr Hanneman; I am especially excited to further enhance the international representation of our editorial advisory board.

As we attend those family graduations and trainee celebrations this season, I won’t let myself wallow in feeling like an empty nester. Instead, I’ll look forward to ushering in a new flock of trainees and beginning the cycle once more.