On 17 October 2024, the Baltic Nuclear Medicine Autumn School 2024, an international event for representatives of the nuclear medicine industry, took place in Latvia for the first time, one day before the Baltic Congress of Radiologists (BCR2024). This event brought together leading nuclear medicine experts and those interested in the field not only from the Baltic States but also from several European countries. We take pride in the event as its participants were addressed by several widely recognized professors in this field, Prof. Francesco Giammarile from France, Prof. Sergei Nazarenko from Estonia, and also physicians from Austria and Canada.
The Baltic Nuclear Medicine Autumn School 2024 was led by our specialist, radiologist Dr Marika Kalnina, Head of ARS kodolmedicīnas klīnika / ARS Nuclear Medicine Clinic. Dr M. Kalnina organized a tour to the clinic as part of the event where all those present were introduced to the latest novelty at the ARS kodolmedicīna klīnika / ARS Nuclear Medicine Clinic: the CZT SPECT/CT digital scintigraphy machine, the only one of its kind in Latvia that we will start using for patient examinations very soon, on 4 November. Dr Kalnina also offered the audience an opportunity to take a look at the cyclotron, PET/CT equipment, and facilities for the production of radiopharmaceuticals and introduced to the production process of radiopharmaceutical preparations. The visitors had an opportunity to follow step by step the process of production and delivery to patients. This presented a unique opportunity for learning and gaining new experience since these medical technologies are not available at a single location anywhere else in Latvia.
Dr Marika Kalnina shared her impressions from the event:
‘We visited the ARS Nuclear Medicine Clinic for a closer look, discussed the latest PET/CT therapy options and the latest diagnostic methods in nuclear medicine. At ARS, we provide PET/CT examinations at the European standard level: we use the latest diagnostic methods both in positron emission tomography and in single-photon emission tomography with an advanced CZT detector, etc. We also discussed theranostics a lot; it is a new method of diagnostics and precision therapy, and, as a result of the conference, we are planning to introduce it in Latvia. The event provided a wonderful, highly valued opportunity to exchange knowledge and experiences during the day. I wish to thank everyone who took part in this important event and supported it!’
The Baltic Nuclear Medicine Autumn School 2024 has received the accreditation from the European Accreditation Council (EACCME) for further medical education. Our autumn school has been awarded 4 European CME credits, thus confirming the high level and quality of this event.
This was the very first high-level nuclear medicine event held in Latvia thanks to the initiative of Dr Marika Kalnina, Head of the ARS kodolmedicīnas klīnika / ARS Nuclear Medicine Clinic, and the enthusiasm of her colleagues who organised the event in close cooperation with the Baltic Nuclear Medicine Association.
‘We are really proud about this; events like these help us to become increasingly visible not only in Europe but also on an international level and demonstrate our capabilities and the ability to organise events for learning and exchange of experience at the top level.
