The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) has elected our department chair, Satoshi Minoshima, MD, PhD, as President during their 2018 Annual Meeting. Minoshima brings to this prestigious post a reputation for excellent international work in nuclear medicine, great vision for the future of the field, and strong collaborative partnerships with researchers, clinicians, administrators, and industry partners.
"It is a great honor to serve as SNMMI president," Minoshima says, "especially during such an exciting time, when the pace of innovation in nuclear medicine and molecular imaging is bringing patients increasingly precise diagnoses and new therapies."
SNMMI is an international scientific and medical organization dedicated to advancing nuclear medicine and molecular imaging, vital elements of precision medicine that allow diagnosis and treatment to be tailored to individual patients. SNMMI’s more than 16,000 members create guidelines, share information through journals and meetings and lead advocacy on key issues that affect molecular imaging and therapy research and practice.
Minoshima notes that SNMMI has many important efforts underway such as developing appropriate use criteria for molecular imaging studies, providing support and resources for medical students, residents, and SNMMI members, and helping to "make the case" for clinical applications of nuclear medicine. 2018 marks the second year of the Value Initiative 2.0; "Our focus is on bringing more value to patients," Minoshima asserts, "anticipating and meeting our members’ needs, growing the next generation of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging professionals and leaders, encouraging innovative research, providing the evidence for and advocating for new radiopharmaceuticals and procedures, and raising awareness among all stakeholders of our field’s critical role in precision medicine."
Minoshima has been a professor and chair of the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences at the University of Utah since 2014. Prior to this appointment, he served on the faculty of the University of Michigan and the University of Washington, where he was vice chair for research in the Department of Radiology.
He has published seminal research studies concerning neurodegenerative diseases and other brain disorders using innovative imaging technology. His contributions to the field include discovery of the posterior cingulate abnormality in Alzheimer's disease and invention and worldwide dissemination of diagnostic statistical mapping technology for molecular brain imaging. Minoshima has served as president of the SNMMI Brain Imaging Council and as chair of the SNMMI Scientific Program Committee.
Minoshima’s recognitions include the Tetalman Memorial Award (1996) and Kuhl-Lassen Award (2006) from SNMMI and the Distinguished Scientist Award from the Western Regional SNM (2011). In collaboration with national and international members, he has created numerous initiatives for the SNMMI annual and mid-winter meetings. Minoshima has also contributed to a wide range of educational activities that advocate functional brain imaging and promote nuclear medicine and molecular imaging practice.
Minoshima's outlook is decidedly positive. "I look forward to working with the SNMMI leadership team, members, and staff as we forge ahead, trailblazing and expanding frontiers. I am optimistic and excited about the future of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging and the value they bring to patient care!"