“Society leaders were relieved. A convention center had worked as a medical meeting site.” 

The start of a bad novel? No, the beginning of a long tradition, and a good one at that. 

The words are from History of the Radiological Society of North America. They reflect impressions recorded after the group’s first annual meeting at Chicago’s McCormick Place in 1975. Having moved there from more intimate surroundings, the Windy City’s Palmer House hotel, the leadership must have gone in that first year with fingers crossed. 

We now know they needn’t have worried. Forty-four years later, that sprawling and sparkling Chicago convention center—the largest indoor gathering space in the U.S.—will once again work as a medical meeting site. Just as it’s done in all but three years since 1975 (Atlanta in ’79, Dallas in ’80 and Washington in ’84).

RSNA 2019 is sure to have more must-see events and exhibits than even the most energized attendee could keep up with. In other words, it’ll be business as usual. But here’s a tip. 

Two can’t-misses are the plenary sessions featuring RSNA President Valerie P. Jackson, MD, and Stanford renaissance man (physician/novelist/memoir-ist/National Humanities Medalist) Abraham Verghese, MD. 

Inside you’ll find conference-preview interviews with both. Jackson tells why it’s important for rads to position themselves as partners on the care team even when doing so means working with hesitant referrers (click here). 

Verghese, an internist and infectious-disease expert, explains his view that medical specialists have done themselves a disservice by becoming overspecialized (click here). 

In addition, as the cover promises, this issue offers a big-picture look at the current state of group-practice radiology. Have a look at the “Exemplary 80” and consider the data and insights we gleaned getting to the results. 

Also inside and well worth your while are feature articles on radiologist burnout, practice–hospital alignment and staff management. 

And don’t page past the opinion pieces from experts on performance appraisals (Peter Kalina of the Mayo Clinic) and physician recruitment (Julie Chapman-Greene of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School).

One more thing to look for, albeit not in these pages: RBJ people at RSNA in booth 2601.  

We hope to see you there. The meet and greet could be the start of a fine new tradition.