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ARROgram
#24
April 11. 2005
ARRO 2004-2005 Summary
Dear Residents,
The ARRO Executive Board met last weekend at the ASTRO Spring Refresher Course in Chicago . We reviewed our activities and events over the last year and we set new goals for 2005-2006. We write to update you, and to answer the question:
What did ARRO do for Radiation Oncology Residents in 2004-2005?
- ARRO successfully petitioned ASTRO to move the abstract deadline so it no longer overlaps with the ACR In-Service Examination, allowing for more participation in the meeting and less stress about timing.
- ARRO dramatically updated our website with important information for residents ( www.arro.org) including updated information on the board exam, in-training exam answers, and a central location for meetings of interest to residents.
- ARRO organized an outstanding set of lectures at the Residents’ Session at the ASTRO Annual Meeting, including talks on research, paper and grant writing, and the ever-popular Practice Entry Seminar. For the first time, the talks are available on www.arro.org for all residents to access, whether or not they attended the meeting.
- ARRO successfully lobbied ASTRO & Amgen to provide free subscriptions to the Red Journal for residents.
- ARRO effectively petitioned the ABR to move the Radiobiology & Physics portions of the boards to the summer between our 3rd and 4th years.
- ARRO disseminated much information to all residents, including information about the new 2005 RABEX and Radiobiology Review Courses across the country.
- ARRO published the Resident & Chief Resident surveys in the Red Journal so that you can compare your residency experience with that of other programs.
- ARRO solicited the ACR to provide In-Service Exam answers and rationale for the answers (which will begin this year).
- ARRO provided social events at the ASTRO Annual Meeting for all residents to get together.
- ARRO addressed resident concerns about grading of the Board Exam with the ABR to ensure that everyone taking the exam will be graded fairly.
In the works for next year are: a key articles database, getting a representative from the ABR to speak directly to residents at the ASTRO Annual Meeting, a resident lounge at ASTRO, and a billing & coding seminar designed specifically for our needs as we complete residency.
ARRO plans to build on past successes and welcomes your comments, ideas and any feedback you provide. Thank you for your continued support. We also thank ASTRO for its generous financial support of our independent resident governed organization. Last, we especially acknowledge our immediate past Board Members, Reshma Jagsi, Vipul Thakkar, and Steven Frank, for all their hard-work and dedication to promoting resident interests.
All the best,
The ARRO Executive Board
