The world’s largest medical meeting once again storms into Chicago the weekend after Thanksgiving and this year looks to be bigger and better than ever.
The 86th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America — RSNA 2000 — gets underway Nov. 26 at McCormick Place and hammers along through Dec. 1 with the promise to “Explore the New Millennium.”
In recent years, the lines of competitive demarcation have been noticeably blurred, as medical imaging companies merge and the modalities themselves have fused to create increasingly incredible and informative images.
RSNA 2000 likely will be remembered as a melting pot of industry and of technologies.
This year’s annual meeting will offer more than 1,800 research presentations covering every conceivable radiologic technology, body part and ailment. There also will be more than 15 scientific press conferences and 20 exhibitor press conferences unveiling cutting-edge technologies and techniques in the imaging world. More than 1,100 scientific presentations, poster sessions and InfoRad exhibits also will grace McCormick Place.
InfoRad alone will have more than 120 hands-on educational and commercial exhibits showcasing computer and IS technologies for radiologists, including a new Web-based classroom.
The Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) demonstration and symposium rolls into its second year with more companies participating at RSNA 2000 and more intricate demonstrations of sharing of medical images throughout the healthcare system using the IHE standard.
More than 275 refresher courses throughout the week will let attendees pile up CME credits.
And, of course, there are the technical exhibits. Hundreds of medical imaging vendors display the very latest and greatest radiology products available today — and a few still under development. If it’s a serious medical imaging technology, it’s at RSNA.
Outside of McCormick Place, the Windy City offers attendees a wealth of non-radiology-related activities, including a fine collection of RSNA-organized excursions. RSNA also has called on the services of child care company Accent on Children’s Arrangements Inc. to provide a variety of activities for those future radiologists coming to Chicago.
And if you’re worried about missing something, look for the January issue of Medical Imaging, which will provide a full recap of RSNA news and events. 
