On behalf of the individuals listed above, I would like to thank all of those responsible for organizing the 1998 AAPM Annual Meeting. The success of the meeting is a result of the untiring efforts and voluntary time contributed by many AAPM Members.

This is a landmark year for the Annual Meeting for two prominent reasons. For the first time, both the positions of Scientific Program Director and Co-Director are filled by women members of the Association. Drs. Mary Martel and Maryellen Giger have worked diligently to develop an outstanding scientific program for this year's meeting.

Secondly, a long range goal of the Program Committee was brought to fruition with the implementation of an electronic abstract submission process. With the help of Mary Martel, Bruce Curran, and Headquarters staff, a database system was developed that allowed the receipt, reviewing, and assigning of all abstracts via the Internet. Authors were also notified electronically regarding the acceptance of their abstract submissions. Barring the usual glitches of any new process, it has been an overwhelming success and I want to thank everyone involved for making this goal a reality.

Finally, I would like to recognize the Abstract Reviewers, the members of the Local Arrangements Committee, and the Invited Speakers, Symposia Moderators, and Session Chairpersons. These individuals have contributed their time and efforts to help ensure the overall success of the meeting.

This is my last year to serve in the capacity of Program Committee Chairman, and it has been both an honor and a pleasure to serve the association. I am grateful for the experience.

Robert G. Gould, Sc.D.
Program Committee Chairman