Dear ISTU Community:

I hope that this message finds everyone healthy and staying safe during these challenging times around the world. The board met virtually last month, and I would like to provide you with an update of the status of ISTU and our future plans. The board approved the implementation of a new membership structure for implementation in 2021. As you all know, we unfortunately had to postpone ISTU 2020 in Gyeongju, Korea and we have rescheduled the ISTU 2021 symposium for June 6 - 9th at the same venue in Gyeongju, where we plan to host local attendees and many from around the world that will be able to travel and attend the meeting in person.

Given the uncertainty of future travel restrictions, we have prepared an option to attend the meeting virtually at a discounted rate. Additionally, should your travel plans change, we are offering the ability to convert your virtual registration to an in-person attendee at the early registration rates.

Registration and Abstract Submission opens today, and I encourage you to register early. Please visit the Symposium Website to learn more. The Abstract (Oral and Posters) Deadline is March 1, 2021. The Scientific Committee will review the abstracts and notification of acceptance or rejection will be made by March 23, 2021. There will be a final late-breaking poster only submission deadline of April 15, 2021. No submissions will be accepted after that date.

We have been exploring changes to our membership structure to provide greater member benefits such as access to recorded webinars and presentations from past ISTU symposia, ePosters, and past programs and abstracts. Many of you may remember a time in the past when we had an Annual Membership Fee. We will be implementing an Annual Membership Fee for the Society beginning with the 2021 Korea Meeting.

This new membership structure is an important step for the Society to create less dependence on the revenue from the annual symposium, to ensure coverage of increasing cost structures and to strengthen the longevity of the society. We will use these funds to begin building the reserves to a more acceptable level to protect ISTU against risks for the long term.

Beginning as part of the registration for the Korea meeting, you will be able to add on a discounted Annual Membership for only $100. A Free Annual Student Membership is included with Paid Registration for the Annual Symposium. Regular Annual Membership Rates will be $250 for Annual Membership, and $50 for Annual Student Membership when not purchased as part of the yearly Symposium.

One of our key successes this year was the creation of our new ISTU On-Air Monthly Webinar Series. The final session of the year will feature Professor Gail ter Haar presenting: "History of Focused Ultrasound".

ISTU is proud to welcome Professor Gail ter Haar from the Institute of Cancer Research, London. She is investigating the use of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to rapidly heat and kill tumors of the liver or kidney. She is the founding President of ISTU. In 2014, her team was recognized by being made a Centre of Excellence for HIFU physics and bone studies by the Focused Ultrasound Foundation.

This webinar will be held live on December 10th at the following local times:

We have recently sent out a call for nominations for our open positions on the board. Four ISTU Board Members will be coming to the end of their 3-year term at the end of the 2021 ISTU Symposium. In accordance with the Bylaws of the International Society for Therapeutic Ultrasound, we are issuing a Call for Nominations for four Board positions and your nominations would be appreciated. ISTU Board members are expected to be active in the Society governance and scientific meetings. The deadline for nominations is December 31, 2020. Current members of the Board as listed on the website do not qualify.

The annual election will take place via email electronic ballot in January 2021. Each voting member may submit one electronic ballot only. Voting members are composed of active ISTU members only which are defined as those members that have attended at least one meeting in the last three years of meetings.

Please nominate potential candidates for the following categories; an additional At Large Candidate will be selected from the nominations:

Position 1) Industry Representative

Position 2) Academic Representative

Position 3) Clinical Representative

I wish everyone good health during these unprecedented times, and I’m looking forward to the day that we can all meet again in person. In the meantime, please plan to join us on December 10th for a special ISTU On-Air Webinar to close out 2020 with our founding President, Professor Gail ter Haar.

Sincerely,

Joo Ha Hwang

President, ISTU