By Petronella Samuels, ISMRT-SORSA Program Chair

A New Dawn & the First ISMRT Meeting in Africa

Opening Ceremony

ISMRT partnered with the Society of Radiographers of South Africa (SORSA) to host its first-ever meeting on the African continent. The collaborative meeting, titled “A New Dawn,” brought together over 300 attendees at the Century City Convention Centre in Cape Town, South Africa, 18-19 August 2023.

ISMRT track

The ISMRT MRI track was a celebrated highlight of the SORSA-ISMRT joint conference. The meeting was organized with generous support from Sonja Boiteaux (2022-23 ISMRT President), Dr. Fozy Peer (SORSA Program Coordinator), Dr. Shawna Farquharson (ISMRT Past President), and Nina Salman (2023 ISMRT Global Relations Chair). The two-day MRI education program was delivered with support from expert MR scientists, clinicians, radiographers, and technologists from across Africa and around the globe.

Prize winner

Day 1 of the program featured presentations on MRI fundamentals that included: MRI safety,  neuroimaging, spectroscopy, and musculoskeletal imaging. Day 2 focused on more advanced MRI techniques and applications that included DWI in the brain and spine, cardiovascular perfusion, spectroscopy, and a presentation on artificial intelligence. A highlight of the meeting were the featured oral abstract presentations. Special recognition went to Khomotso Motiang for winning the best oral abstract presentation award for her work, “Potential Benefit of Utilizing MRI in Pregnancy to Reduce the Relatively High Rate of Pre-natal Fatalities in Africa.” Her prize, provided by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) in partnership with ISMRM, includes sending Khomotso to Singapore to attend the 2024 2024 ISMRM & ISMRT Annual Meeting & Exhibition. Congratulations, Khomotso!

As we reflect on this successful collaboration with SORSA, we look forward to future endeavours that will continue to foster growth, knowledge-sharing, and innovation in the field of MRI within the African continent. We would like to extend our gratitude to 2023-2024 ISMRM President Derek Jones, ISMRM Past President Scott Reeder and ISMRM-BMGF Project Manager Roberta Kravitz for their support and invaluable contribution to advancing MRI awareness in Africa.

The ISMRT remains committed to making a positive impact on the world of radiography and MRI, and we eagerly anticipate further opportunities for collaboration in the future. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of the SORSA-ISMRT joint congress, and here’s to a brighter future for MRI in Africa.

Petronella Samuels
ISMRT-SORSA Program Chair

ISMRT with SORSA Executive members