The New York Breast Imaging Society (NYBIS) was initially founded as the “Mammo Club” by Dr. Suzanne Smith in 1989 at a time when radiology was maturing as a field with differentiation into subspecialty areas. Various “clubs” emerged in the New York City area, providing inter-institutional forums where radiologists discussed challenging subspecialty cases and shared experience and knowledge.
Dr. Suzanne Smith was inspired to form the Mammo Club after returning from Dr. Laszlo Tabar’s course in Sweden. According to Dr. Smith, “In those days there were no fellowships in breast imaging, and Tabar, along with Marc Homer, Dan Kopans, Ed Sickles and Stephen Feig, were instrumental in educating the new generation of breast imagers. Having conducted the two-county study on screening mammography and following certain cases for years, Tabar had a vast library of the natural history of breast cancers.” Excited by what she was learning and motivated to create a professional learning environment, Dr. Smith modeled the Mammo Club after one in Philadelphia led by Lillian Stern, M.D.
Mammo Club was initially held at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital where Dr. Smith was Director of Mammography. Original members included Dr. Ruth Rosenblatt, then of Montefiore Medical Center. Approximately 25-30 radiologists and technologists gathered, as Dr. Smith stressed “the final product depended on excellence at each step of production and good mammography was a team effort.” Radiologists shared cases with pathology follow up and mini lectures on the diagnoses. The group met ~5 times per year and organized meetings by phone. As an informal organization, no dues were charged.
As breast imaging blossomed into a formal subspecialty, the Mammo Club officially became the “New York Metropolitan Mammography Society.” Expert speakers were invited, including Bill Ecklund and Ed Sickles. Evening lectures were initially funded by the St. Luke’s Radiology Department by coordinating with a daytime radiology resident lecture series. Eventually Society dues were collected to fund speakers as an independent series. The primary focus continued to be on education of radiologists and technologists, and providing forums for collegial discussion of professional and imaging challenges. When Dr. Smith moved to Columbia University Medical Center in 1993, Annette Brown, M.D. became President and Susan Goldfine, M.D. Secretary/Treasurer. Dr. Rosenblatt later served as president from 1998 to 2002.
In approximately 2007, the Society became the New York Breast Imaging Society (NYBIS), reflecting the development of important breast imaging tools beyond mammography. Various institutions hosted meetings during the subsequent period, including New York University Medical Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Mt. Sinai Hospital, where meetings are currently held. Today NYBIS is a non-profit professional organization committed to providing a forum for discussion of current and evolving practices and technologies in breast imaging for radiologists and technologists. Dues-paying members from the New York City and tri-state area participate in 5 meetings per year that provide CME and ASRT accredited lectures on a variety of breast imaging topics by experts from all over the country. The focus continues to be inclusive of radiologists and technologists but also nurses and trainees. Students of all background are welcome. Fellows, residents, and medical students are encouraged to attend. In the spirit of inclusion members of the public may also attend as guests.
An October meeting was added two years ago to further promote inclusiveness of trainees and to provide more well-rounded programming to all members with non-traditional lecture topics such as “International Radiology” and “Smart Financial Thinking,” coupled with a mentor panel. The mentor panel consists of radiologists (mix of academic, private practice, community hospital-based) and enables trainees of all levels to ask career-related questions and connect with future mentors. Although the October meeting is a more organized and focused mentoring opportunity, NYBIS fosters this environment by providing a buffet dinner at every meeting. This social time enables reconnecting with colleagues and friends, establishing new connections and an opportunity to talk with the speaker prior to his or her lecture.
The evolution of lecture topics over the years reflects exciting progress in breast imaging, from advances in MRI to the development of tomosynthesis and contrast enhanced mammography. Brenda Pennisi, RTRM, NYBIS technologist representative since 1997, notes “the society has always focused on presenting up to date and new technologies--from breast ultrasound screening and the transition to digital mammography in 2007, positron emission mammography in 2009 and tomosynthesis updates in 2014.” Lectures are opportunities to engage in expert-led, evidenced-based exploration of topics with the convenience of local travel.
As breast imaging continues to evolve in exciting ways, strong, local professional networks, such as NYBIS, that provide opportunities for discussion, support and formal continuing education are increasingly important. Such an exchange is essential to encourage education, foster a team-based, inclusive approach to breast imaging, and recruit interested students of all backgrounds to be future colleagues, researchers, and leaders in our field.
