SIIM is putting into action a plan to educate. Recognizing an increasing need for the education and professional development of imaging informatics professionals (IIP), more commonly called PACS administrators, the SIIM Education Advisory Network (EAN) has been created. EAN is a subcommittee of the SIIM Education Committee and is comprised of SIIM members who are educators across the U.S. and Canada.

At yesterday’s one-day educational event, Imaging Informatics Professional (IIP) Pre-Conference Symposium, Len Avecilla, MS, an EAN member, said the newly formed network will meet face-to-face for the first time on Saturday. In January the group convened though a teleconference.

Avecilla said he is excited about the future of education through SIIM. He noted the great need for more standardized education in the quick-growing technical field. While some of that is provided by the current Certified Imaging Informatics Professional (CIIP) examination, EAN’s focus is distinct from the exam process. However, the committee will create curriculum development resources that support the exam process. Meeting competencies and establishing more consistent standards in the form of a standardized knowledge base are among the EAN’s goals for those taking the CIIP exam and educators. 

EAN guidelines for educators will be available after SIIM 2007 by emailing Anna Marie Mason at amason@siimweb.org.