Seminars in nuclear medicine
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Biography Historical Article
The formation and evolution of the Society of Nuclear Medicine.
The Society of Nuclear Medicine was created and constructed by persons from many branches of medicine and the physical sciences, but it originated mostly in the mind of a chemist-physicist-engineer named Norman "Jeff" Holter. Because most medical organizations seemed to care little about the use of radioactive materials for medical purposes, Holter believed a new organization was necessary for their promotion. From its origin in 1954 as the Pacific Northwest Society of Nuclear Medicine, The Society of Nuclear Medicine became a national, multidisciplinary organization in 1956. ⋯ By nurturing and embracing the Technologist Section, the Society became a robust and representative organization for all who serve nuclear medicine. From these beginnings came the vigorous Society of Nuclear Medicine of today. Jeff Holter (1914-1983) would be justifiably proud.
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The American Board of Nuclear Medicine gave its first certifying examination in 1972 to 1,096 candidates. It was established with the support of the Society of Nuclear Medicine amid considerable conflict involving the American Board of Radiology, the American Board of Internal Medicine, and the American Board of Pathology. As a result of the numerous parties involved, the initial formation of the Board was as a conjoint Board that required the approval of one of its sponsoring Boards for the acceptance of candidates for certification. ⋯ In 1985, the American Board of Nuclear Medicine was finally relieved of the burden of conjoint Board status and became one of the primary Boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties. There are presently 12 active members of the American Board of Nuclear Medicine, 40 living life members who serve the Board, and 3 deceased life members. As of this date, the Board has certified 4,236 specialists in nuclear medicine and continues to grow and thrive.