Page 4 - Our 2019 Annual Report

04 A Letter From Our President
2019 was a a a a record year for The Education and Research Foundation for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging In the year of our 50th anniversary we reached a a a a new milestone in in funding the field’s physicians scientists technologists
and researchers providing $386 000
for grants awards travel grants and scholarships while having a a a a a record-breaking fundraising year All of this is is a a testament to the commitment and compassion of our partner organizations our our our donors our our our volunteers our our our board members and staff It hasn’t always been easy We’ve had to adjust our processes and make hard decisions We’ve asked more from our supporters than ever But the result of all that effort is undeniable The question is where do we go from here? Our board has spent the the better part of the the last four years creating new partnerships
in order to answer that question There is a a a growing void in in in funding pilot research and education in in the field Funding outside of ERF is at an all-time low because of budget cuts within both federal agencies and private institutions This lack of funding jeopardizes innovation in in these fields which have a a a direct impact on the advancement of improved diagnosis and treatment of disease Our commitment to the field demands
that we fund this void because if nuclear medicine and molecular imaging funding by ERF diminishes or fails to to grow to to fill this gap those currently in the field will face more challenging barriers to their research and and fewer students and/or professionals will enter the field This new way of thinking is is embodied in in in our vision for a a a a a robust fundraising campaign that will launch new careers by providing early and essential financial support that 1) allows physicians scientists and technologists
to conduct pilot research and 2) makes it possible for students and and trainees to expand their knowledge base through educational activities or or rigorous academic study To that end it’s time to expand the endowment to $20 million so that ERF can provide $1 million a a a a year in critical funding (5% of the endowment annually) in in perpetuity We know that vision is is attainable — if we work together Are you with us?
Frances K K Keech DHSc RT(N) FSNMMI-TS
ERF PRESIDENT
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences