Disease-Focused Panels & Emerging Technology Commissions
What is the DFP Program?
- Review the Disease-Focused Panel Overview Document
- Review the Emerging Technology Commission Overview Document
- View a Presentation for Further Explanation
Applications for DFP/ETC status will be reviewed and approved by the DFP/ETC Oversight Committee. Acceptance is at the discretion of this committee, based on already existing panels, the comprehensiveness of the application, the potential for success, interest amongst SAR members, and likelihood for impact on patient care. Each DFP/ETC Application will be reviewed by the DFP/ETC Oversight Committee in a formal review process, and each emerging panel or commission will be provided the results of this review, along with an opportunity for revision.
Panels will each operate independently throughout the year to accomplish common goals, meet at the Society’s annual meeting to review progress and timelines, discuss plans for rotating leadership and membership, and provide annual reports to and seek guidance from the Oversight Committee, as needed.
The SAR Annual Meeting Council Educational Committee may choose to contact a DFP or ETC for involvement in the annual meeting; however, no specific avenue for involvement in the Educational Program currently exists, other than informing the Educational Committee of DFP proposals.

DFP Present Sessions During the 2020 Annual Meeting in Maui, HA
From left to right – Dan Margolis, Matt Davenport, Susanna Lee, Stu Silverman, Avinash Kambadakone and Eric Tamm
Why ETCs?
Technology innovation and development have always been strengths of abdominal radiology. ETCs develop innovative technologies that aim to improve patient care. They pair abdominal radiology experts with inventors, physicists, mathematicians, and industry partners to create a shared understanding of technology definitions, opportunities, methods, assessments, strengths, and limitations. ETCs leverage new technology to explore new diagnostic tasks and paradigms and disseminate information to the wider imaging community. They often partner with DFPs, and frequently disseminate knowledge to non-radiologists and and non-radiology medical organizations.
Why include non-radiologists?
The impact of imaging knowledge has largely been driven by non-radiology groups that are sometimes unfamiliar with the limits and benefits of imaging technologies. SAR’s ability to influence the wider medical community and improve patient care depends upon an exchange of knowledge with sub-specialty referring physician groups, patient advocacy groups, and other radiology societies with similar goals. By unifying abdominal radiology experts with a passion for a specific disease, cohesive goals and strategic partnerships and collaborations can be formed to improve patient care. By including technology inventors, medical physicists, manufacturers, and multidisciplinary partners, SAR members have the opportunity to influence care and speed adoption of new ideas.
How to Get Involved:
If you are interested in participating in a DFP/ETC, please review the list of active panels and decide if there is one they wish to join. Click the “Want to Get Involved?” tag beneath that DFP/ETC.
Alternatively, consider forming a new or related group. Members with similar interests can work together to develop goals, leadership, and communication plans on their own until ready to submit a formal DFP/ETC Application.
The Beginning:
The DFP program began in 2015 with only a few Panels. The first ETC began in 2019. These dedicated SAR members formed the first DFPs, and helped to launch the program into what it is now. A very special thanks to the founding Chairs of the DFP program!