Radiographers Society of Emirates (RASE)

History of RASE

The Beginnings by
“The Mother of RASE”
Dr Fozy Peer (D.Tech: Rad)
ISRRT- Past President

During my term of office as president of the International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists (ISRRT) from 2014 to 2018, I met with radiographers from Kuwait, who in early 2017 invited me to present at the 4th Diagnostic Imaging Course in Kuwait, where I met with other interested radiographers from a few middle-eastern countries including the UAE. Our discussions were primarily around forming professional societies to represent radiographers in the different countries and then for those countries to belong to the international society, the ISRRT.

While in Kuwait, I was introduced to Samar El Farra as a keynote speaker at the Ministry of Health and the Kuwait Radiology Council. It was at this meeting in Kuwait in March 2017, where Samar and I had extensive discussions on the role of a professional radiographers’ society and where a valued and lasting friendship was borne.

The ISRRT was founded in 1962 as a non-profit organization, and now has over 90 member societies representing more than 500 000 members in 86 countries. As ISRRT president, I promoted the concepts of professional societies as they seek to further a particular profession, the interests of individuals engaged in that profession and the public interest. Professional radiographers’ societies are founded mainly to support the professional radiographer by developing professional excellence. Samar was inspired by my, in her words, “stance, passion and leadership”, and discussed the way I could support the declaration of the UAE society.

In April 2017, Samar who was leading the academic program of medical imaging at the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) – Health Sciences Division invited me as president of the ISRRT to the inaugural 1st Annual Radiology Symposium in Dubai. In November 2017, I was also invited to attend the Annual Radiology Meeting in the UAE. During both visits to Dubai the idea of the Radiographers’ Society of Emirates (RASE) was starting to gain momentum. As an inspirational leader, Samar facilitated a crusade of buy-in productive meetings with stakeholders to promote the formation of a professional society of radiographers in the UAE. Based on my experience in helping several other countries, I recognized that the actual declaration of RASE was during the meeting with Dr Mouza Al-Sharhan, the then President of the Emirates Medical Association (EMA), Hashim Al-Awadhi, Consultant Radiographer at Dubai Hospital, and Samar. Dr Mouza Al-Sharhan was very adamant that it is about time for the United Arab Emirates to have a society representing radiographers as a valuable asset in the health care sector.

Samar El Farra and Hashim Al-Awadhi although faced with some challenges, were determined to pursue their goal of forming a society for the radiography professionals of the Emirates. A year later, and marking a historical moment, the efforts of Samar and Hashim were realized by marking a proud moment, the 28 April 2018 as the date of founding the Radiographers’ Society of the Emirates (RASE). The Emirates Medical Association (EMA) announced RASE as the national society representing radiographers and radiology technologists across the UAE. RASE board members were instrumental in not only compiling the constitution for RASE but applying to and submitting information for RASE to be admitted as a member of the global body, the International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists (ISRRT).

EMA president Dr Mouza Al-Sharhan, met with ISRRT president Dr Fozy Peer and Hashim Al-Awadhi and Samar E-Farra from the UAE during the HCT 1st Annual Radiology Symposium in April 2017 to discuss forming a professional association in the UAE

In 2021, the ISRRT celebrated its 60th anniversary, with more than 90 member societies. At the ISRRT Council Meeting held in Dublin in 2021, RASE received unanimous support from the membership, voting RASE in as an ISRRT member; this being a historical leap in representing the United Arab Emirates on the ISRRT. Being indulged and recognised as a founding member and as the ‘Mother of RASE’, I applaud Samar as visionary woman leader who had the vision to initiate RASE being the “RASE history maker”. I also testify to the support and faith Hashim has exhibited to lead RASE. I have no doubt that all RASE board members will be the leaders in the profession by creating a positive impact on radiography worldwide and being a force to be reckoned with. RASE will epitomise professional excellence!

Board Members

Emirates Society of Radiographers

Hashim Mohammed Sharif Hashim Al Awadhi

President

Samar El-Farra

Vice President

Ayesha Sulaiman Saleh

General Secretary

Laila Musabheh Bin Guba AlMuhairi

Scientific Committee Chairperson

Hessa Khalifa Bin Sulaiman

Media & Public Relations Chairperon

Dear ISRRT Members,

Happy World Radiography Day and thank-you to all our members for all that you do in serving your patients. When your country is celebrating on Nov 8th, 2022 the ISRRT celebrates and recognizes your knowledge, skills, expertise and care that you take every day in your efforts to support your patients as frontline healthcare professionals.

The World Radiography Day theme, “Radiographers at the Forefront of Patient Safety”, highlights the role that radiographers/ radiological technologists play in promoting and maintaining radiation safety and general patient safety in all aspects of the patient journey. Your work matters and we thank you for the care you give to patients every day.

Check out the ISRRT World Radiography Day poster on our website at www.isrrt.org and download for your use in our celebrations. This day was created to mark the anniversary of the discovery of x-rays by Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895. As radiographers worldwide, we use this day to celebrate and create public awareness about diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy and to promote the radiographers’ vital role as part of the healthcare team and specifically this year celebrating the frontline role, we play in patient safety.

Radiographers/ Radiological Technologists play a crucial role in applying their protocols and procedures ensuring safe practice not only in radiation but also other areas of our engagement with patients. Radiographers /Radiological Technologists use their high educational and professional standards to live out each day which contributes greatly to strengthening radiation safety and the general safety of patient care worldwide.

As members of the ISRRT global organization we are committed to our mission to improve the delivery of healthcare to people around the world by promoting quality patient care, education and research. As members we embrace our core values: Promoting professionalism and integrity and bringing excellence and compassion in the delivery of medical imaging and radiation therapy for the patient. Each of us will have an opportunity to celebrate ourselves and communicate what we do for patients through the vital role we play as radiographers/radiological technologists in patient safety on November 8th.

How will each of you celebrate World Radiography Day? As your ISRRT president I will be celebrating with my staff at my hospital as a frontline Healthcare professional caring for our patients and ensuring safe practice during our procedures. I will also be joining the ISRRT Facebook live session on Nov 6 th at 7am Central Chicago time celebrating “Radiographers at the Forefront of Patient Safety”. Please join us and celebrate World Radiography Day! Please take time to download ISRRT World Radiography poster ‘Radiographers at the Forefront of Patient Safety’ and use it during your celebrations on Nov 8th. Share a picture of you celebrating ‘World Radiography Day’ and send them to us so ISRRT can celebrate with our members on our ISRRT Facebook page.

Also take some pictures and send us a short paragraph to share with the ISRRT about how you celebrated this important day. We will publish these in the December issue of News and Views. Please email your pictures and writeup to ceo@isrrt.org or acromp@otimroepmq.ca. Looking forward to seeing how our members help celebrated this special day.

Thank You

Donna Newman
B.A. RT (R) CNMT PET F.A.S.R.T. ISRRT President

Upcoming Event

Coming Soon

2023

As an EMA/RASE member, you will receive the following benefits:

EMA/RASE Membership Benefits

Receipt of RASE Mailbag

Receipt of the RASE mailbag, which contains information on medical meetings and conferences, held locally and abroad, details of continuing medical education programs and other announcements.

Quarterly Emirates Medical Journal

The quarterly Emirates Medical Journal (EMJ), featuring research papers and case reports written by local and foreign doctors, EMJ contains articles on current medical issues, news and information on both the local and foreign medical sciences, a forum page for members to voice their opinions, and professional announcements.

Reduced Rates for Insertion

Reduced rates for insertion of professional announcements in the EMA journal.

Reduced Rates in Participation

Reduced rates in participation in all RASE activities, RASE organized workshops, seminars and conferences pertaining to medical and ethical issues in medical field.

Free Registration / Discount in Fees

Free registration / discount in fees for a wide range high quality conferences and CME in UAE

New Membership- AED 370 |Renewal – AED 210/year