The latest BIR regional branch launched on 20 April 2016 in Plymouth with an event celebrating the past, present and future of radiology. Attended by over 40 radiologists, trainees, radiographers and physicists the event was chaired by Dr Jenna Millington and included speakers Professor Adrian Thomas, Colonel Iain Gibb and Dr Brent Drake followed by networking drinks.
After an introduction from BIR Chief Executive, Jacqueline Fowler, and branch chair, Dr Jenna Millington, Professor Adrian Thomas introduced the evening with a fascinating overview of the pioneers of radiology who realised the potential of “The New Photography” as radiology was then called.
In his graphically illustrated presentation, Colonel Gibb explained the challenges of analysing changes of decomposition and the effects of blast and ballistic injury and made the case for CT post-mortem scanning for the forensic investigation of traumatic deaths within the military.
Finally, in an engaging talk looking forward to the future of imaging, Dr Brent Drake explored the benefits of personalised medicine, targeted therapy, the rapidly evolving technology of PET-CT/MRI and the role of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PMSA) in dementia imaging.
The evening received positive feedback with one participant commenting, “Very interesting and diverse speakers, it’s nice to have something a little different for a change”.
The new South West branch is led by our members and the committee organises educational events across region from Bristol to Land’s End. All BIR members in the region are welcome to join and can take an active role in organising events, activities and social events.
If you are in the South West and would like your BIR regional branch to cover a particular topic, please send an email to branches@bir.org.uk.
There will be another BIR South West event in Autumn 2016. Watch our website for more details: www.bir.org.uk.
Photo: Left to right Professor Adrian Thomas, Dr Brent Drake, Dr Jenna Millington, Colonel Iain Gibb, Jacqueline Fowler (CEO, BIR).
