“The San Francisco SMI meeting seems like only yesterday, but through the years since that meeting you have helped all of us build a solid foundation for the SMI that will last well into the future. It has been your energy, insights, experience and tremendous attitude that have turned this society into a well-tuned, professionally run organization, and built its annual meeting into an internationally renowned platform for reporting on the most important advances in molecular imaging. You should be very proud knowing that you have contributed greatly to this emerging field, and we are all indebted to you for helping us build a vibrant organization that serves the imaging community so well. You have helped convert a vision into a reality, and even though you have left the SMI in the very capable hands of Charles and his team, we will miss you very much.” Past-President of the Society for Molecular Imaging, SMI, and Program Chair for the 2nd Annual Meeting of the SMI in San Francisco, USA (now the World Molecular Imaging Society).
“Mrs. Joan Oefner is one of the brightest Executive directors I have worked with. Her passion for the job at hand and profound knowledge of the business, makes her an asset for anybody, who wants to grow an organization or business. Excellent personality and outstanding character is recognized by everybody who had or will have the pleasure to collaborate with her. I therefore can only highly recommend her organizational skills and her exceptional leadership qualities.” Norbert Wilke, MD, FACC, FSCCT, FESC, Nürnberg, Germany, Program Chair for the 2004 and 2005 Annual Meetings of the North American Society for Cardiovascular Imaging (NASCI), (450 – 550 participants at the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island, Florida, USA.)
“Rhema took over management of all functions of the California Separation Science Society in 1996. Our situation was dire. Under Joan’s leadership, Rhema took over and saved the society from almost certain bankruptcy. Joan’s outgoing personality, wisdom and drive all combined to make the turn-around exciting and fun. Plus, we kept her two best employees when she relocated to Regensburg. They are with us still. I recommend Rhema and Joan for any society that needs competent, energetic management with a respectful soft touch and big smile. She will not let you down.” Robert Stevenson, PhD, Editor, American Laboratory & Treasurer of CASSS.
“Joan has served the SF Neurological Society as executive director and then as communications director for many years (1995 is a guess as she started before I came on the board). She helped draft bylaws, arranged for the organization to become a 501 (c) 6 and took the society through the process of being certified to provide CME (educational credit). She continues to manage our website and design and send mailings and email blasts for meetings. She is extremely knowledgeable, efficient, dedicated, trustworthy, reliable, creative and a really nice person. She has always had our backs and I hope that she will continue to do so, whatever her principle project is.” Robyn Young, MD, President of the California Neurology Society, former President of the SF Neurological Society (SFNS).