AARST_Radon_Reporter_Q32022_FINAL

6 | January 2023 SYMPOSIUM A feature special to the exhibit hall this year was the brainchild of the 2022 Symposium Planning Committee. The committee chose the 2023 theme Growing Our Voice, Saving Lives to focus on Advocacy, which is at the core of AARST’s work, and one of the AARST organization’s pillars. Growing radon awareness, making changes that protect people from radon, partnering with agencies with the same interest, and working towards legislation to ensure people have the basics of healthy homes, all occur through advocacy. The committee decided to give attendees the opportunity to understand this central element of AARST’s mission better, understand what it means to be an advocate, and learn from others what is and can be done to make effectual changes. This was accomplished with an Advocacy Passport, which each attendee received in their welcome bag. The passport was the tool to guide attendees in meeting with and learning from representatives of five specific exhibitors whose work involves advocacy and recording their “observations” regarding take-home lessons in outreach and policy activities. The passports were judged by the Government Affairs Committee’s leadership, who selected a winner, Alexandra Bahadori, a staff member at Kansas State University / SOS Radon. Click here to view the winner and her passport. The agenda, speakers, and topics were determined as the culmination of a public “call for presentations” combined with the committee and AARST leadership’s consideration of additional important topics. The subject matter presented was in the form of updates, practical sessions using new technology, research and studies on radon, and outreach in communities focusing on social justice. This year’s keynote speaker was Dr. Wallace Akerley, a medical oncologist who actively cares for patients with lung cancer and has more than 30 years of experience as a principal investigator on numerous clinical research trials at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), University of Utah. Akerley discussed the dramatic evolution of the scientific understanding of lung cancer through precision medicine, genetics and immunology. He noted the improving mortality trend for lung cancer and the possibility that it could again become a rare form of cancer. In his experience, radon is associated with all forms of lung cancer and will show a large variety of mutations and have a gene signature that mimics radiation or smoking. He described Huntsman Cancer Institute’s current groundbreaking study of mice exposed to radon following the radon exposure metrics of human patients, an important effort to clinically identify radon-induced lung cancer. AARST’s annual business meeting took place on Tuesday, where attendees were greeted with a message from the president, Kyle Hoylman. Reports by the association Treasurer, Dan Potter, and the chair of the AARST Foundation, Crystal Lytle were also presented. Kyle recognized several leaders with the President’s Award: Gary Hodgden for his continued work on AARST’s national consensus standards; Rocky Mountain AARST Chapter for leadership in legislative and coalition building efforts; Lindi Campbell for effective radon risk education efforts; and AARST board member Steve Tucker (posthumously) who was integral in organizing the Northwest Radon Coalition, leading its collaboration with AARST National, and bringing the Symposium to the Pacific Northwest. The new Radon Community Stakeholder Award was presented to Richmond American Homes for leadership in building homes with radon-reducing features. The annual meeting closed with the announcement of the annual BOD election results. Those who served in leadership roles were thanked for their time and passion for the association, and the new board members were announced and congratulated: George Schambach (VP), re-elected National Directors Aaron Fisher and Dawn Oggier, and newly elected: Lila M. Beckley, PG, Aaron Friedrich, and Duane West. The 2023 symposium will be held in Nashville, Tennessee, at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel, October 29 - November 1. Save the Date!