Reflections from the New York State Radiological Society

By Elizabeth P. Maltin, MD, FACR, FAAWR, Membership Committee Chair for the New York State Radiological Society, member of the ACR Council Steering Committee

CHAPTER CONNECTIONS

Welcome to Chapter Connections. This new column provides a forum for ACR chapter leaders to share about the work in their chapters — and how it might translate to success in others. Future column topics will include legislative successes, successful membership recruitment, tips and tricks to run a successful chapter with representation from both small and larger chapters, and more.

Since fall 2023, I have had the privilege of serving as the membership committee chair for the New York State Radiological Society (NYSRS). With over 1,300 dues-paying members and close to 1,600 medical students, residents and fellows in our pipeline, I’ve spent the past few years thinking about one big question: How do we keep our chapter strong and growing?

I’ve learned that building membership is a little like tending a garden. It starts with seeds — our trainees — and thrives only with careful attention, consistent support and a community that welcomes them in. Over the last two years, our membership committee has brainstormed and come up with a few new ideas with our “engage early” thinking.

Why Trainees Matter So Much

Medical students, residents and fellows are not just “future members” — they are the future of our society and our profession. They bring fresh energy, new ideas and a perspective that reminds us why organized medicine matters. If we engage them early and offer meaningful opportunities, they’re much more likely to stay involved for life.

Five Key Strategies for Trainee Membership Growth

Here are five strategies we use at NYSRS that can translate to any chapter:

1. Meet Them Where They Are
   Show up! Attend medical-student interest-group meetings, whether in person or online. At NYSRS, we even have a medical student subcommittee led by students themselves. Casual conversations — during a case readout or over lunch — also go a long way. Sharing your own story of involvement can be the spark that inspires someone else. My own journey began in the Long Island Radiological Society as a resident and continued after I completed training and joined the executive committee, eventually serving as president during the 2007-08 academic year. To this day, I remain on the executive committee, staying connected with residents who train in the four Long Island region programs and connected to my colleagues in practice throughout the island as well.
   
   
2. Make the Value Proposition Clear
   Many residents don’t realize they’re already members since program administrators are the ones who sign them up. One of our newest projects this year is aimed at changing this: Each new R1 was sent a welcome letter and a small gift, like a pen or magnet, along with a clear message: Membership is free during training, dues are reduced after graduation and benefits include mentorship, networking, education and leadership opportunities available to you beginning right now.
   
   
3. Get Them Engaged
   Trainees want to feel part of something bigger. Our Annual Radiology Resident Career Workshop, fall social in New York City and collaborative webinars with the Young and Early Career Professionals Section all give them that sense of belonging. One of our new initiatives considers the size of New York state and the challenge that presents in attending our spring and fall all-members meetings held in NYC. Last fall, we began sponsoring residents from programs in upstate New York and eastern Long Island, covering travel and lodging so that they could join us in person to learn and network. This has been very well received.
   
   
4. Give Them a Seat at the Table
   At NYSRS, trainees don’t just participate — they lead. Residents chair the Resident and Fellows Section, and medical students run the medical student subcommittee, both with faculty support. We also invite them to serve on other committees, including the membership committee. This isn’t tokenism — their contributions and enthusiasm have been truly impactful.
   
   
5. Keep the Connection Going
   Finally, stay in touch. We reach out to graduates to update their personal emails in the ACR database so that we don’t lose track of them after training. We also make it personal: We individually keep in touch with the residents we’ve engaged with through meeting sponsorship and committee work and invite them to continue if they remain in New York, or we connect them to leaders in other chapters if they are relocating. We encourage them to stay engaged at both the chapter and national (ACR) level.

 

Beyond the Chapter/Local Level

Chapter membership also unlocks national opportunities: networking at the ACR Annual Meeting, educational resources like Case in Point and leadership training through the Radiology Leadership Institute®. Our NYSRS Career Center even posts job opportunities, helping members navigate their next step.

Looking Ahead

Growing membership isn’t about numbers alone — it’s about cultivating a community where people feel seen, supported and inspired to contribute. My hope is that these ideas spark something for your own chapter. With care, attention and a little creativity, we can all grow vibrant “gardens” of members who will strengthen our profession for years to come.