Issue StoriesThe Cream of the Cropby Dana Hinesly Readers honor the best people and places in imaging in the second-annual Medical Imaging Industry Top 10. Categories include top radiology department, freestanding imaging center, radiologist, technologist, women's imaging specialist, and association. 
Leonardo da Vinci is quoted as saying, "Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do." No one embodies this adage better than medical professionals, whose knowledge is judiciously incorporated into practice—improving the lives of countless people with modern-day miracles. The second annual Medical Imaging Industry Top 10 honors the professionals and facilities that put this principle into action. In response to an e-mail survey and an online poll, more than 600 readers cast ballots to recognize their hardworking colleagues in a range of categories:
Voters could select up to three of the candidates listed or write in their own choices—which, as with last year, was a popular option—to express their opinions on who is leading the way in a number of categories, including patient care and outcomes, cutting-edge techniques, industry interaction, attitude, problem-solving abilities, and imaging techniques and research. Congratulations to everyone on the list, and thanks to all of the readers who put them there!
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Freestanding imaging center or group
1) Radiological Associates of Sacramento Medical Group Inc (RAS), Sacramento, Calif
www.radiological.com #4 in 2006
RAS has a long history of successful growth and patient-centered care that has allowed it to stay ahead of the competition. As one of the largest health care providers in Northern California, RAS is committed to improving the well-being of patients and increasing awareness of healthy lifestyles. The company's Quality Assurance Program is nationally recognized, and RAS, which performed more than 1 million diagnostic examinations last year, has earned approval from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care Inc since 1998. RAS makes extraordinary efforts to provide superior patient satisfaction by empowering the staff to respond directly to the needs of those who entrust them with their care, according to Narasimhachari Raghavan, MD, RAS president and chairman of the board.
"RAS continually looks for new opportunities in areas where we have core expertise, including imaging, radiation oncology, nuclear medicine, interventional radiology, information systems, and medical management services," Raghavan says. "Our leadership keeps a keen eye on market trends, locally and nationally, making strategically driven decisions."
2) Center for Diagnostic Imaging (CDI), Minneapolis
www.cdiradiology.com #1 in 2006
"We are pleased to have been recognized again this year by the readers of Medical Imaging," says CDI CEO Robert V. Baumgartner. "Our associates and radiologists work hard each day to provide our patients and referring physicians with the highest quality care and results—so to be recognized for these efforts nationally is an honor."
Founded in 1981 by spine radiologist Kenneth Heithoff, MD, CDI was one of the first outpatient imaging providers in the United States. Since then, the company has expanded to encompass 39 centers in eight states, with nearly 700 associates and more than 85 affiliated radiologists.
CDI's ongoing mantra is: "The right test at the right time, done right." This translates to a commitment to quality and service, with a focus on close collaboration with referring physicians and office staff. To that end, the company's team of radiologists is constantly communicating and consulting in the marketplace. "CDI continues to grow, both in services and in centers, and we see many exciting opportunities on the horizon," Baumgartner says. "That said, the continued scrutiny of our industry at federal and state levels means that CDI will stay very involved in helping to shape and lead industry efforts around defining, measuring, and paying for appropriate, high-quality imaging."
3) Austin Radiological Association (ARA), Austin, Tex
www.ausrad.com first mention
Committed to excellence in imaging, ARA is a specialty health care organization that has been providing services in the Austin community since 1954. "We take all aspects of that [commitment] very seriously: purchasing the most advanced technology in imaging equipment, hiring highly qualified physicians and staff, and focusing on superior customer service," says Debi Brannan, director of business development at ARA." We take quality health care and customer satisfaction very seriously."
The company's 66 board-certified radiologists, technologists, and registered nurses are dedicated to giving superior customer service through compassion, integrity, and teamwork, according to Brannan. In addition to diagnostic radiology, ARA provides specialists for a variety of subspecialties, including body imaging, nuclear medicine, women's imaging, neuroradiology, interventional, neurointerventional, musculoskeletal, and pediatric radiology.
4) Atlantic Medical Imaging (AMI), Galloway, NJ
www.atlanticmedicalimaging.com first mention
The mission at AMI—a full-service, freestanding imaging practice operating seven offices in New Jersey—has always been patient care, according to Marc Peck, MD, AMI's CEO and past president. "All physicians are encouraged to embark on new and interesting radiology studies, to allow AMI to progress beyond what is commonly expected in a community hospital setting—and even challenge our academic colleagues," Peck says. "As a result, AMI had the second functioning PET scanner in our area."
Providing professional services to three area hospitals, AMI's 30 board-certified, subspecialty-trained radiologists and 300 technical, clerical, and administrative personnel offer a full spectrum of imaging services, including CT, coronary CT angiography, MRI, nuclear medicine, PET/CT, digital mammography, ultrasound, DEXA, general radiology and fluoroscopy, and interventional radiology.
"Having been at AMI from its humble beginnings in 1964 and witnessing its ascendancy from a four-man hospital-based group to the current multidimensional, multidiscipline radiology practice has been a challenging and very gratifying experience," Peck says. "To be recognized by the readers of Medical Imaging as one of the elite facilities is indeed a great honor."
5) Elizabeth Wende Breast Clinic (EWBC), Rochester, NY (tie)
www.ewbc.com #3 in 2006
"We are honored to have our peers place the Elizabeth Wende Breast Clinic as one of the industry's top facilities," says Posy Seifert, DO, managing partner of EWBC. "We work very hard at doing the right thing for our patients—which means efficient quality care—and getting the recognition means we are right on target."
The Medical Group Manage-ment Association presented EWBC with a Certificate of Superior Performance in the areas of productivity, capacity, staffing, and accounts receivable. And last year, more than 80,000 patients traveled from all over New York State to be treated in EWBC's 30,000 square-foot clinic. Currently about 50% digital, EWBC has plans to install another digital unit and CR. Other modalities include nine analog units, four full-field digital mammography units, two stereotactic breast biopsy tables, MRI, ultrasound, CAD, PACS, RIS, and DEXA.
5) Northern California PET Imaging Center (NCPIC), Sacramento, Calif (tie)
www.ncpic.info first mention
NCPIC offers PET scans to the community at both its fixed-site location, which boasts two scanners, and from the mobile PET/CT scanner, which provides service throughout Northern California. The not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization is working to be the leading PET/CT provider in Northern California by serving the community in the provision of PET/CT scans, providing education to physicians and patients, and continuing clinical research in the field of PET and molecular medicine. NCPIC also provides physician and technologist training programs for PET and is actively involved in clinical PET research in the areas of dementia, carotid occlusion, and oncology.
"The entire technical, administrative, and medical staff makes the difference for NCPIC; they are dedicated to patient care and quality," says Ruth Tesar, executive director of NCPIC and president of ImageMed Group LLC. "NCPIC differentiates itself by having physicians dedicated to being involved with only PET and CT scanning, so that they can focus on their area of expertise. NCPIC also has a cyclotron on site so that it can make use of providing studies that involve the short-lived PET tracers, such as oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon."
6) Seattle Radiologists APC (Searad)
www.searad.com #6 in 2006
The 39 board-certified, subspecialty, and fellowship-trained radiologists at SeaRad provide professional services to Seattle's Swedish Medical Center, one of the largest and most prestigious hospitals in the Pacific Northwest. Established more than 40 years ago, Searad also provides outpatient radiology services to several large, local, multispecialty clinics through its two-volume outpatient imaging centers. These centers are equipped with cutting-edge equipment and serve as beta sites for GE Healthcare's 1.5T and 3T MRI scanners. SeaRad owns four MRI scanners, including the first 3T MRI system in the Pacific Northwest; two 1.5T scanners; a .35T scanner; a PET/CT scanner; and a 64-slice CT scanner, performing coronary CT angiography and C-arm fluoroscopy for pain-management injections and musculoskeletal procedures.
7) South Florida Medical Imaging (SFMI), Boca Raton, Fla
www.sfmipa.com #8 in 2006
"It is a great honor to be recognized for our hard work and commitment to satisfaction of both patients and referring physicians," says SFMI Director Claudio Smuclovisky, MD. "[SFMI sets itself apart] by investing in the latest technology and achieving the expertise that is recognized as among the best in the United States."
Cardiac CT angiography is one example of where SFMI has made strides in getting ahead of the competition. The organization also is in the process of becoming an accredited level 3 teaching center. Recently, SFMI added a second 64-slice CT scanner, and the facility plans to expand its teaching center to offer worldwide educational opportunities to physicians, Smuclovisky says. Every year, SFMI performs 15,000 to 20,000 imaging procedures—more than 90% of these are digital. With its RIS/PACS solution, SFMI enables remote access to digital images by staff and referring physicians, as well as links to five area hospitals.
8) University Physicians Healthcare's Tucson Breast Center, Tucson, Ariz (tie)
www.uph.org/Clinics.aspx #9 in 2006
Being ranked in the Top 10 is an honor that encourages the Tucson Breast Center "even more to stay focused and dedicated to [its] mission," says Per Granstrom, MD, medical director. In 2001, the company began the transition to digital imaging and, since 2003, is 100% digital with CAD. Up to 130 mammograms are performed daily, along with breast ultrasounds, upright digital stereotactic, and ultrasound-guided interventional procedures. DEXA and total body fat composition examinations also are available.
"Today, we service six different remote sites," Granstrom says. "Mammograms are interpreted, and reports are sent via a Web-based system within an hour. We also have accommodated approximately 230 patients with UltraClinics, a system to get biopsy results; the final histology is available the same day as the procedure."
Plans are under way to expand to UMC North's Arizona Cancer Center by adding breast MRI and another digital mammography unit. The Tucson Breast Center also is working to provide tomosynthesis with GE Healthcare's Essential upon FDA approval, and MRI-guided biopsy in Fall 2007.
8) Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS), Houma, La (tie)
www.cardio.com first mention
CIS has always strived to provide the latest, most innovative care to its patients. "This sometimes comes with criticism about being too aggressive," says Peter Fail, MD, director of cardiac catheterization laboratories and interventional research at CIS. "But as statistics show, heart disease is the number one killer—and I don't think you can afford to not be too aggressive."
CIS offers a comprehensive heart and vascular program that includes specialized medical professionals trained in nuclear cardiology, electrophysiology, prevention services, and lipid management, as well as interventional cardiovascular procedures and cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. Surgical services offered by CIS are extensive.
"The imaging department is just one aspect of innovative care," Fail says. "If we can recognize a problem before it causes irreversible damage, we may be able to afford that patient a better quality of life."
9) Breast Imaging of Oklahoma, Edmond, Okla
www.breastimagingofoklahoma.com #7 in 2006
The staff of Breast Imaging of Oklahoma is "very proud to be an example for the industry of how a breast imaging center can be created from scratch and grow and thrive," says partner Debra Mitchell, MD. "For many years, naysayers in the radiology world did not believe that breast imaging could survive outside of a hospital setting. It is exhilarating to see independently owned centers come to maturity and dispel the preconceived notion that breast imaging is a draining financial burden to radiology."
The freestanding breast center's four female breast imaging radiologists treat more than 20,000 patients each year between its 10,000-square-foot main facility and two satellite locations that perform digital screening mammography. Also, Breast Imaging of Oklahoma offers a breast imaging fellowship program.
"One of our challenges in the near future is to balance demand with physician resources," Mitchell says. "Paying attention to the varying risk and needs of a very heterogeneous screening population will be a challenge for breast imaging in general in the next decade. The appropriate utilization of our more costly procedures will be a focus of our clinic as we attempt to match the appropriate imaging procedures with risk."
10) ProScan Imaging LLC, Cincinnati
www.proscan.com #5 in 2006
Operating a network of 24 imaging centers throughout the United States, ProScan radiologists also read for more than 400 other locations. The company's professionals perform approximately 1,000 advanced imaging cases per day in a variety of modalities, including MR, CT, and PET.
"Our goal has always been to be the most trusted and respected in our medical field of endeavor, advanced imaging, and MRI," says Stephen J. Pomeranz, MD, CEO and medical director of ProScan Imaging. "Our second annual top-10 ranking is evidence that our referring physicians, patients, and peers in the medical industry recognize our commitment to raise the bar of care."
Recently, ProScan acquired WorldCare Clinical, a leading imaging contract research organization based in Cambridge, Mass, that speeds delivery of drugs and medical devices to market for biopharmaceutical and medical companies.
The future also promises more innovation from ProScan. Pomeranz explains: "Enabling a paperless environment; providing seamless access to our referring physicians and, when appropriate, patients for their digital imaging needs in a HIPAA-compliant environment; expanding our ProScan Online and EZ-Send PACS solutions for image delivery; sharing our educational mission with more physicians; and raising the bar of advanced training with our year-long fellowship training programs—all are in our future."
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Radiologist
1) Elliot K. Fishman, MD, FACR
Professor of Radiology and Oncology and Director of Diagnostic Imaging and Body CT for the Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore first mention in this category
More than 20 years ago, Fishman became involved in the development of 3D Medical Imaging and continued his work in the field with Pixar, a spin-off of LucasFilms. His efforts were critical in the development of 3D imaging. More recently, he created the award-winning www.ctisus.com, one of the largest medical Web sites that currently is used by more than 50,000 medical professionals each month.
"[My future goal is to] focus on image processing, [making] the job of the radiologist easier and more productive on a daily basis, as well as looking at the increased role of multimodality data sets in clinical practice," says Fishman, who continues to maintain a busy clinical schedule.
2) Elizabeth G. McFarland, MD (tie)
Body Radiologist at Diagnostic Imaging Associates at St. Luke's Hospital; National Virtual Colonoscopy Medical Director for the Center for Diagnostic Imaging; and Adjunct Professor at the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Chesterfield, Mo #3 in 2006
Honored to be recognized among other leaders in the industry, McFarland continues to work on the clinical research and political implemention of CT colonography (CTC). "Although widespread reimbursement continues to lag, it is very encouraging to see the collaborative relationships among radiologists, gastroenterologists, and surgeons toward the use of CTC in the community," says McFarland, who notes that at the national level, the GI societies, along with the American Cancer Society and the American College of Radiology (ACR), are working together to define appropriate use of CTC. "This year will be a critical year for CTC. Following the large ACRIN [American College of Radiology Imaging Network] trial results, the political and payor reactions will follow." McFarland plans on being a part of the efforts to define standards, create quality metrics, and perform clinical trials.
2) Donald Resnick, MD (tie)
Professor of Radiology at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) #8 in 2006
Resnick is most proud of his participation in the very successful bone radiology fellowship program that has been in existence for more than three decades. "Through these 30 years, we have trained in bone radiology more than 150 clinical fellows and about 1,500 research fellows, the latter from all over the world," he says. "Recently, we had our first fellow reunion, and well over 100 clinical fellows returned to San Diego for the event. Teaching these fellows each year, which I do along with my UCSD radiology colleagues, is truly a joy and keeps me going. They are thirsty for knowledge, and their questions make me go home every night and try to learn more. And, to boot, I have made lifelong friends. It truly is an extended family."
Currently working to "not retire," that feeling of family helps fuel Resnick's career, which has included a number of awards and honors, such as a gold medal from the Brazil Radiological Society in 2004 and an honorary doctorate from the University of Zurich last year.
3) Barry A. Siegel, MD, FACR
Professor of Radiology and Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine; Director of the Division of Nuclear Medicine at the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology; Member of the University's Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, St Louis #7 in 2006
For the past year, Siegel has devoted much of his time and energy to establishing the National Oncologic PET Registry (NOPR), which is a collaboration of the ACRIN, the ACR, and the Academy of Molecular Imaging. Working to ensure access to Medicare reimbursement for certain types of PET scans, the NOPR tops Siegel's to-do list for the immediate future, with the goal of publishing the initial results of the NOPR and continuing to tap into the wealth of useful data the alliance has collected.
"[I am proud of] working through ACRIN to help establish PET as an important component of clinical trials of cancer therapy," he says, adding that he also is proud of the many residents he has helped train. A prolific writer and editor—with more than 280 journal articles, book chapters, and books to his credit—Siegel also is actively involved as an editorial board member for several journals. From 1988 to 2002, he served as editor in chief of the Professional Self-Evaluation Program (the "Syllabus Series") published by the ACR.
4) Barry Goldberg, MD
Professor of Radiology at the Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University; Director of the Division of Diagnostic Ultrasound at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and the Jefferson Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Philadelphia #1 in 2006
Goldberg, who has been involved in the profession for more than four decades, is humbled that his peers have recognized his contributions to the speciality. "I was fortunate to begin my work in ultrasound when the field was in its infancy, and I have had the privilege of being involved in new developments," he says. "To be recognized for my accomplishments in a field of medicine that I love is an honor, indeed."
As part of his involvement in the international education aspect of radiology, Goldberg works in the "Teaching the Teachers" program, which resulted in the development of 72 ultrasound education centers in developing and emerging countries. These centers are affiliated with the Jefferson Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, which was created in 1993 under the direction of Goldberg, who continues to serve as director. The Institute conducts CME courses and offers visiting fellowships.
"My most recent research efforts have been in the use of ultrasound contrast agents to image the lymphatic channels and sentinel lymph nodes draining tumors," he says. "I predict that this research, which currently is funded by a grant from the National Cancer Institute, will improve the detection of metastatic lymph nodes and, as a result, increase the cure rate of a variety of cancers."
5) Vijay M. Rao, MD
Professor and Chair of the Department of Radiology at the Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University (TJU), Philadelphia #2 in 2006
Being singled out as a leader is nothing new to Rao—she has been named as one of Philadelphia Magazine's "Top Docs" in diagnostic radiology for 6 years—but she is still touched by the praise. "I am honored to be selected to be included in the second annual Medical Imaging Industry Top 10 by the readers," Rao says. "Recognition by peers and colleagues, many of whom are equally deserving, is most gratifying."
Looking ahead, she is eager to pursue her clinical and research interests in head and neck imaging, with a focus on sinonasal imaging and advanced head/neck tumor imaging. She also looks forward to playing a major role in developing quality measures, implementing patient safety goals, and improving access to health care initiatives at TJU. Rao works to create an impact beyond her immediate environment. "I believe I serve as a role model for women physicians and am a source of inspiration and encouragement, especially for immigrants," she says. "I am proud to have mentored many trainees at Jefferson; many of them have blossomed into leaders of today. I am especially proud to be leading one of the most well-reputed academic departments in the country, and would like to take this opportunity to thank my faculty for their commitment and dedication."
6) John Lipscomb Ulmer, MD
Neuroradiologist at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital; and Professor of Radiology, Chief of Neuroradiology Research, and Director of fMRI at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee #9 in 2006
As a functional neuroradiologist, Ulmer is focused on translating advanced brain imaging techniques into clinical practice. Through a number of multidisciplinary collaborations, his team has successfully improved patient outcomes at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital using advanced physiological, biological, and functional imaging techniques.
"From the perspective of a translational neuroradiologist, that has been the most satisfying and rewarding aspect of my work," says Ulmer, who is looking forward to a joint endeavor between academicians and selected parties in the corporate sector to translate advanced brain imaging techniques to private clinical practice. "I am extremely enthusiastic about this joint effort, for it promises to make the clinical accomplishments of our investigations available to all patients, be they in an academic institution or a private practice setting."
For more than 10 years, Ulmer has served on the editorial board of the Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography. He is a reviewer for the American Journal of Neuroradiology, Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography, and Human Brain Mapping, as well as being on the Neuroradiology Exhibit Editorial Selection Committee (RSNA) for the journal Radiographics.
7) David Bluemke, MD, PhD
Professor of Radiology and Medicine, Johns Hopkins University; Clinical Director of MRI, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore first mention
Bluemke thanks the readers who voted him into the Medical Imaging Industry Top 10. A prolific author, he is actively involved in visualizing the earliest stages of atherosclerotic plaque formation in humans using very high-field MRI and multidetector/dual-source cardiac CT. "We are relating this early disease directly to its functional consequences both in the individual patient as well as in large epidemiologic studies involving hundreds to thousands of patients," he says.
Despite this important work, Bluemke is most proud of the work he has done to train at least 15 outstanding fellows a year and many residents, both in the research lab and in clinical activities. "Having an opportunity to work at the forefront of imaging in cardiovascular medicine and oncology with these trainees," he says, "as well as with my colleagues at Hopkins, is very gratifying."
8) Eliot L. Siegel, MD
Professor and Vice Chair of Information Systems in the Department of Diagnostic Radiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine; Chief of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine for the VA Maryland Healthcare System, Baltimore; Lead Imaging Informatics for the National Cancer Institute #6 in 2006
Looking at the designation as more than just a personal success, Siegel is "delighted to be recognized by the readers of Medical Imaging as one of the top 10 radiologists again this year, particularly because of the increasing recognition of the critical importance of imaging informatics in medical imaging."
Taking on responsibilities outside of his job description, Siegel has been part of numerous groups within the VA. For 20 years, he has participated in the Cancer Committee, the Utilization Review Committee, the Research and Development Committee, the Clinical Executive Board, and the Automated Data Processing Committee, as well as chairing the Radiation Safety Committee. Siegel also is involved with the National Cancer Institute's cancer biomedical informatics grid and the National Cancer Institute's Imaging Archive, through which he has contributed to cancer research in radiology, while working in conjunction with the RSNA, the ACR, and other research groups.
"This has been a year of tremendous accomplishments with the launch of exciting projects, such as the Extensible Imaging Platform," he says. "[This] will support sharing and collaboration of algorithms for image display, enhancement, and decision support as well as the Research RadLex Playbook and the Annotation and Image Markup standard for connecting human and machine knowledge' with medical images."
9) Leonard Berlin, MD, FACR
Chairman of the Department of Radiology at Rush North Shore Medical Center, Skokie, Ill; Professor of Radiology at Rush Medical College, Chicago first mention
"I am a very fortunate person in having been selected to be among the top 10 radiologists by Medical Imaging's readers. No greater award or honor can be bestowed on a person than recognition by that person's peers," says Berlin, who is doing what he loves. "I also am fortunate to have entered the medical profession—a profession that is synonymous with, and dedicated to, service to society and all its members."
For Berlin, radiology is more than just a career. Active in the field for nearly 50 years, he feels privileged to have witnessed the revolutionary new technology that has exponentially advanced the modality. He has authored more than 275 scientific articles as well as a book, and has delivered more than 260 lectures internationally on the topic of radiologic malpractice and risk management.
Berlin believes the golden years of radiology are still ahead, and he is eager to embrace them: "I hope to continue for many years what I am doing right now: practicing radiology, learning new things every day, and educating my colleagues."
10) M. Linda Sutherland, MD
Director of Breast Imaging at St. Joseph Comprehensive Breast Center, Orange, Calif first mention
Making the Top 10 took first-timer Sutherland off guard. "I was absolutely stunned when I received the announcement regarding being ranked in the Medical Imaging Industry Top 10," she says. "I had no idea that I was even in the running!"
Clearly, her reputation precedes her. Sutherland is one of the founding members of the "Team Approach to Breast Cancer Care," a multispecialty Comprehensive Breast Center in Southern California. "I am very excited about our Comprehensive Breast Center's future home in the new Cancer Center, which is currently under construction," Sutherland says. "There, we will be able to extend our mission of patient/family-centered cancer care in a total, comprehensive environment where state-of-the-art, patient-centered diagnosis and treatment will be delivered in a warm and supportive environment."
Sutherland also collaborates with the Center's equipment manufacturers, testing new devices and software, in order to help advance products, with the ultimate goal of making diagnosis more certain and treatment more tolerable for patients.
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Technologist
1) Therese "Terry" Duggan-Jahns RT(R)(M)(CT)(MR)
Director of Clinical Services at the Center for Diagnostic Imaging-CDI Northwest, Federal Way and Lakewood, Wash #2 in 2006
"I have been fortunate to work in a profession that I am passionate about and that continues to challenge me," Duggan-Jahns says. "I have had the privilege to work with a great team of co-workers, radiologists, and administrators throughout my career."
Duggan-Jahns' professional accomplishments include involvement as a part-time instructor for Tacoma Community College's Radiologic Technologist Program for the past 27 years. She also is a member of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Advanced MRI Certification Exam and the Society for Magnetic Resonance Technologists Education committees. Duggan-Jahns is quick to thank those who helped her achieve her professional goals. "I am proud to share this honor with everyone who has encouraged and inspired me and who has supported me throughout my career," she says, "especially my spouse, Jeff Jahns, and our two daughters, SarahAnne and Rhiannon. Without their support, I would not be where I am today."
2) Nancy M. Swanston, CNMT, PET, RT(N)
Manager of Diagnostic Imaging in the Section of Clinical PET, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston #3 in 2006
Swanston manages one of the largest PET/CT programs in the nation. "I am flattered to be known as one of the top specialists in the field for my contributions in nuclear medicine and PET," she says. "I am so proud to be a part of a team that truly strives for excellence in patient care."
Swanston credits her team with the success of the PET/CT imaging program at MD Anderson, which supports the diagnosis, treatment, and management of cancer patients. "Without their support, we could not accomplish our mission," she says. "I also am excited to have been part of an effort to continually educate about PET/CT and clinical nuclear medicine as modalities."
In her current position, she supervises operations more than five PET and PET/CT systems that serve 45-plus patients each day. The coming years will see Swanston building the practice in the PET facility, adding new services to the program designed to complement existing offerings to patients in an effort always to improve the quality of care. She also will be a contributing author for a textbook to be published later this year.
3) Daniel C. Fernandez, RT(R)(MR)
MRI Technologist++, Florida Radiology Imaging (FRi), Lake Mary, Fla #7 in 2006
"Being chosen by the readers of Medical Imaging magazine is an honor and drives me to work even harder to earn that trust," says Fernandez, who approaches his career with energy and enthusiasm. By traveling and looking for the moments of life that "take your breath away," Fernandez has been successful at maintaining a vigor and passion for his career. Professionally, he is working on creating even better protocols to aid in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, an area of MRI he believes can be improved. He also is planning his next expedition: hiking to Machu Pichu, Peru, followed by a climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.
4) M. Robert De Jong, Jr, RDMS, RDCS, RVT
Radiology Technical Manager of Ultrasound at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore #3 in 2006
After 30 years in radiology, De Jong still loves to share his skills and knowledge with sonographers, sonologists, and radiologists at local and national meetings—as much as he enjoys interacting with patients, teaching students, and mentoring staff. "I am blessed to work with some of the best sonographers, radiologists, and radiology imaging technologists in the world. They keep me motivated and continue to believe in me, pushing me to new limits," De Jong says.
He is active in the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (SDMS), and the RSNA. De Jong also works with ultrasound manufacturers to evaluate new products and transducers. Last year, he acted as a facilitator for a diverse group of radiology employees, including front-desk personnel, escorts, nurses, and technologists; and in 1996, he was honored with the Joan Baker Pioneer Award at the 13th Annual Conference of the SDMS.
5) Tracey Adams, RT, RDMS
Ultrasound Manager at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center #6 in 2006
For more than three decades, Adams has been part of the team at Cincinnati Children's. She was made manager of the ultrasound department 19 years ago, and is delighted to work with the team of sonographers that she has assembled. "After 29 years in the field of ultrasound, it's hard to pinpoint [which accomplishments I'm most proud of], but in those years, I have had the opportunity to work with the most wonderful people—my staff is the greatest," she says. "I have learned so much from our physicians and fellows—which makes my job very interesting. I am very proud to be a part of the Medical Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital." She also finds working with children—and doing her part to improve their health—as being one of the most rewarding aspects of her job.
6) Bernadette E. Garofola, MEd, RT(R)(CT)(T), ARRT
Chief Radiation Therapist, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia first mention
An involved professional—Garofola is a board member for the Philadelphia Society of Radiologic Technologists (PhilaSRT), the only active city affiliate within the ASRT—she is "at once stunned, thrilled, and humbled to have been voted this honor by [her] colleagues."
Bringing more than 41 years' experience as a radiographer and 23 years as a radiation therapist, Garofola's current role has afforded her the opportunity to address the many challenges of an innovative, research-based, patient-oriented, and technologically sophisticated work environment. "The integration of groundbreaking cancer research in the delivery of state-of-the-art patient care, while intensely demanding, has been professionally rewarding," she says. "We also have a Student Day Program that has grown to more than 600 participants, and we sponsor two seminars for imaging professionals in the Philadelphia metropolitan region." Garofola, who is currently on the ballot for ASRT secretary/treasurer, looks to earn Fellow Status.
7) Jill Blackburn, RT(R)(CT)
CT Technologist, SimonMed Imaging, Phoenix #4 in 2006
Blackburn recently moved to a full-service outpatient imaging center, where she will be part of the team performing the first examinations with the facility's new 64-slice scanner. "So many amazing changes are occurring in the field, and I look forward to learning about—and being part of—all of the new applications that will develop in the coming years," she says. "I have been privileged to work with an incredible team of doctors and technologists, who were always willing to share their knowledge and insight with me."
Blackburn put her strong background in the development and implementation of CT scan protocols and research studies requiring CT imaging to help develop a 12-month CT certificate program, which recently entered its second year. "We've had such an incredible response that we'll be offering more classes next year to accommodate all of the students," she says. Her passion for the field is contagious. "My son got married last year, and I convinced my new daughter-in-law to change her major to radiography!"
8) Tracy Cothran, BSRT(R)(M)
Clinical Program Manager of Breast Imaging Services at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance #9 in 2006
"I am most pleased with the breast imaging department that I am a part of," Cothran says. "I truly believe each individual is fantastic at what he or she does—and together we make a great team." In addition to her responsibilities as the clinical program manager, Cothran serves as a full-time mammography technologist while maintaining all quality control for mammography and stereotactic biopsy accreditation.
Cothran assisted in the development of the Breast Brachytherapy program at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, which recently received a large donation that will enable the team to develop a mobile digital mammography program. "I am looking forward to taking high-quality mammography services to many women that are not currently receiving annual screening mammography," she says. "I believe we can really make a difference."
9) Gary Goble
Senior Business Analyst, Radiology Manager, and PACS Coordinator at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas first mention
A Navy veteran, Goble has been a radiographer for more than 20 years, with experience in diagnostic, trauma, CT, and PACS. "Being recognized by peers whom you respect is a feeling beyond description. We are a group that can honestly claim to be engaged in one of the most interesting, challenging, and fulfilling occupations existing in the modern world," he says. "We help the sick get better as a direct result of what we do every day, and that makes the long hours and hectic workday 100% worthwhile!"
This proud father is delighted to be working with an organization that he says provides a truly interdisciplinary atmosphere focused on innovation and superior quality health care for the community. "The medical community's transition to PACS is inevitable, and the management at UT Southwestern encourages its staff to develop their skills and interact across a spectrum of the many disciplines providing the support necessary for top-quality health care," Goble says. "Being a member of both radiology and PACS provides me with the unique opportunity to be involved in nearly every facet of medical imaging and its very positive impact on health care."
10) Dottie S. Brown, RT(R)(M)
Lead Dedicated Breast MRI Technologist at Breast Imaging of Oklahoma, Edmond, Okla #8 in 2006
"What a surprise to be recognized by my peers," Brown says. "I have been privileged and blessed to work with innovative and inspirational physicians." Having recently become registered by the ARRT in breast sonography, she is currently preparing to take the examination with ARDMS for breast ultrasound and physics. She also plans to take the ARRT MRI registry next year. This is all part of a day's work, according to Brown. "This is a pursuit for a dedicated breast specialist," she says, which is only part of what it takes to excel in her field. "Integrity, compassion, and leadership help maintain a strong sense of pride and dedication to the women we serve."
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Radiation oncologist/cancer researcher
1) Sarah Donaldson, MD
Catharine and Howard Avery Professor in the Stanford School of Medicine; and Associate Chair and Residency Program Director of Radiation Oncology at the Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, Calif #3 in 2006
Donaldson's year is off to a good start: She is slated to receive the gold medal from the American College of Radiology (ACR); she was named as a member of the RSNA Board of Directors, Liaison for Science; and she was once again named in the Who's Who in Science and Engineering.
In addition to her roles at Stanford, Donaldson is involved in a variety of community service activities, including donating 6 hours each month as a reference associate in the Stanford Health Library and as a volunteer for the Ronald McDonald House at Stanford. Equally active in the professional community, she is on the steering committee for the Children's Oncology Group, a member of the external advisory board for MD Anderson Cancer Center, and part of the Pediatric Radiation Oncology Society's program committee.
2) James D. Cox, MD
Professor of Radiation Oncology, Hubert and Olive Stringer Chair in Oncology, and Head of the Division of Radiation Oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston #2 in 2006
"I am delighted to be recognized for my contributions to the field of radiation oncology," says Cox, who heads one of the largest radiation oncology programs in the nation, recognized for clinical and technical advancements. "I am sure that this is in partial recognition of our efforts in image-guided radiation therapy." Cox is particularly proud of his role as chair of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) for more than a decade. "During [that time,] we initiated or completed clinical trials that have changed the practice of medicine, especially for cancer of the lung, esophagus, head and neck, and cervix," he says. Cox also is leading the development of a new proton therapy center at MD Anderson Cancer Center. He hopes this work will result in new benefits for patients with common diseases, as it has in the past for several uncommon diseases, such as uveal melanoma and sarcomas of the base of the skull.
3) Hedvig Hricak, MD, PhD, Drhc
Chairman of the Department of Radiology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York; Carroll and Milton Petrie Chair in Radiology first mention
Hricak's future involves the opening of a new outpatient breast and imaging center, as well as opening a center dedicated to image-guided intervention, which will allow radiologists and surgeons to work closely together to accelerate the development of minimally invasive therapies. Such successes are due to her hard work and the collaborative efforts of others in her department. "I am honored [and] want to share this honor with all of my colleagues at MSKCC in radiology and in the subspecialties related to my work," she says. "Without them, the work would never be possible."
Hricak is a fellow of the ACR, the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM), and the Society of Uroradiology; she's a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies; and she serves on the National Cancer Institute's Board of Scientific Advisors. Through hard work and dedication, her hospital's prostate research group is providing evidence to support the use of imaging—especially MRI, MR spectroscopic imaging, and PET/CT—in prostate cancer diagnosis and follow-up.
Hricak received the Marie Curie Award from the Society of Women in Radiology, the gold medal of the ISMRM, and the Beclere Medal—the highest honor conferred by the International Society of Radiology. Hricak is a dedicated promoter of international scientific collaboration and training and is helping to organize and run breast imaging and ultrasound training programs for the countries of Southeast Europe.
4) Anthony V. D'Amico, MD
Professor and Chief of Genitourinary Radiation Oncology at Brigham and Women's Hospital Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston; Professor of Radiation Oncology at Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Mass #10 in 2006
D'Amico has contributed to the residency training program at Brigham and Women's Hospital Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital as its associate director. Research is, and will continue to be, a vital component of D'Amico's professional commitments. "My research group's long-term goal is to develop minimally invasive focal ablation and radiation therapy as an alternative to radical prostatectomy for select patients with localized prostate cancer," he says. "This will be accomplished by coupling 3T MRI, optical imaging, and high-intensity focused ultrasound to define and ablate the intraprostatic index cancer."
D'Amico participates in a number of local, national, and international committees; he serves as co-chair of the Bi-Annual Harvard Medical School Course in Genitourinary Oncology; written boards author for the American Board of Radiology, Genitourinary Cancer; and chair of the international Congress on Prostate Cancer.
5) John H. Suh, MD
Director of the Gamma Knife Center and Chairman of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation; member of the Medical Imaging Editorial Advisory Board #4 in 2006
"I am very honored to be selected by the readers of Medical Imaging as one of the top-ranked cancer specialists," Suh says. "I have been very fortunate to work for an institution that encourages physicians to develop research and clinical interests." Suh has made the most of these opportunities by helping to increase recognition of the clinical, research, and educational accomplishments of the Cleveland Clinic's radiation oncology program. He also has mentored a number of residents, helping them move toward academic and educational accomplishments.
Suh's organizational commitments include acting as a board member of the International Stereotactic Radiosurgery Society; working as a written board contributor for the American Board of Radiology (Pediatrics); serving as a reviewer for both the Society of Neuro-oncology and American Society for Therapeutic and Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) abstracts; organizing the annual ASTRO Review; and lecturing for the Gamma Knife course. Since 1994, he has worked as a principal investigator for RTOG at the Cleveland Clinic, and he recently was named as the new chair of the radiation oncology department. He says, "I am working very hard to develop a dynamic, integrated radiation oncology department with the many talented personnel I work with every day."
6) C. Carl Jaffe, MD, FACC
Branch Chief, Diagnostic Imaging Branch of the Cancer Imaging Program in the Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis for the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, Md #5 in 2006
Acknowledging his rank in the Top 10, Jaffe says, "I am flattered, but also know that our success as imagers in the health care community requires us to work together as equals to achieve the best outcomes for our patients."
With a career focused sharply on computer applications in diagnostic imaging, Jaffe's work at the NCI is providing direction and support for imaging in oncologic clinical trials, and the role of imaging as a biomarker and therapeutic response assessment. "[I am eager to see] the advance of molecular imaging as a critical technique that can better understand the origins of cancer and lead to better health outcomes," he says.
His professional contributions extend beyond his role as chief. Jaffe has served as a board member on the Whitaker Foundation, was chairman of the Board of Scientific Counselors National Library of Medicine, and was second vice president of the RSNA. Jaffe has held a variety of grant awards, including an NIH Research Career Development Award, James Picker Foundation Scholar, and investigator-initiated grants from the National Institutes of Health. Jaffe also founded the Center for Advanced Instructional Media at the Yale School of Medicine, which received the prestigious Pirelli INTERNETional Award in 2005 for communication of science and technology entirely carried out on the Internet.
7) Walter J. Curran, Jr, MD
Professor and Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital; and Clinical Director of Jefferson's Kimmel Cancer Center, Philadelphia #1 in 2006
Curran leads the department of radiation oncology's efforts to optimize the delivery of ionizing radiation in cancer therapy. Under his guidance and leadership, the department continues to develop and use innovative radiation therapy technology in treating cancer. "We are extremely proud of the clinical research program here at Jefferson, which derives its strength from our innovative radiotherapy delivery program, our link with the pharmaceutical industry, and our strong research support infrastructure," he says. "We had a record-breaking year in 2006 in accrual to cancer clinical trials at Jefferson and also within the RTOG."
Curran and his colleagues soon will conduct a series of clinical trials at Jefferson and within the RTOG. In these studies, serum, urine, and buccal swabs will be collected from all patients both before and after clinical trial therapy to evaluate a series of biomarkers and their fit with treatment outcome and treatment-related toxicity. "Such observations," Curran says, "should be invaluable in determining the best personalized medicine for cancer patients."
8) Thomas Guerrero, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston #6 in 2006
After authoring the first paper on whole-body PET imaging in 1990, Guerrero went on to invent ventilation from 4D CT and to discover linear radiation dose fluorodeoxyglucose uptake response in pulmonary tissue. In addition to his position at MD Anderson, Guerrero works as an adjunct assistant professor for the Department of Computational and Applied Mathematics at Rice University in Houston. The coming year promises much more for Guerrero, with an investigation of biologically targeted drugs to prevent radiation pneumonitis, as well as a closer look at compressible flow-based, deformable image registration for lung tissue. He will also create a rodent model of radiation pneumonitis using microPET/CT.
9) John M. Buatti, MD
Professor and Head of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City #9 in 2006
Buatti has worked to advance image-guided therapy through the multidisciplinary collaborations with his colleagues in physics, neurosurgery, computer engineering, and medical oncology, among other fields—and he is looking to continue extending the capabilities of image-guided therapy into quantitative target definitions with molecular and spectroscopic imaging.
Named in last year's Guide to America's Top Radiologists, Buatti spends 20 hours each week teaching at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) Outpatient Clinic. Other teaching commitments include serving as a medical advisor for the UIHC Radiation Therapist Training Program, as co-director of the Iowa Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology Conference, and as faculty participant in the Medical Student Community, Boulware, at the University of Iowa.
In addition to participating on the Scientific Program Committee of the upcoming International Stereotactic Radiosurgery Society Congress and Exhibition, this year, Buatti will work on the translation of basic biologic interventions based on the molecular imaging assessments, something he believes will be an active area of advancement.
10) David A. Jaffray, PhD
Head of Radiation Physics at Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto #7 in 2006
Jaffray was not necessarily expecting to make an appearance in the Medical Imaging Top 10 for a second time. "I am somewhat surprised," he says. "However, it may reflect the growing role of technology in cancer intervention and the need for clinician-physicist partnerships to define these technologies and to bring them into clinical application."
Being recognized for his work might have taken Jaffray off guard, but it would likely not surprise anyone tracking his career. He has a list of awards for his work, which includes his efforts in the development of cone-beam CT technologies and maturing them for clinical application in image-guided radiotherapy.
Next, Jaffray will tackle the evolution of cancer intervention to accommodate intratherapeutic information. "This new information will arise from image-guidance systems and from increased use of diagnostic imaging systems with a focus on response assessment," he says. "The tools and biological models that allow us to act on this information are lacking and will be the focus of research and development into the next several years."
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Nuclear Physicist/Nuclear Medicine Researcher
1) Richard L. Wahl, MD
Professor of Radiology and Oncology, Director of the Division of Nuclear Medicine/PET, Henry N. Wagner Professor of Nuclear Medicine, and Vice Chair Technology and New Business Development of the Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore #2 in 2006
Wahl is most proud of the contributions he has made toward the development of fluoro-deoxyglucose PET and PET/CT imaging as a broadly applicable tool for imaging cancers and infections. "[Being ranked at the top of the field] is a great honor, but one I must share with the many trainees and colleagues who have worked on projects with me over the years," he says. Wahl also is responsible for training a fairly large number of nuclear medicine physicians and radiologists, who are now assuming leadership positions in the United States, Japan, and elsewhere. "I am very hopeful that the use of PET/CT to quickly assess and predict the response of individual patients' cancers to treatment will become more widely accepted through the use of risk adaptive' chemotherapy, where imaging is rapidly used to change the treatment of cancer patients to make the therapeutic choice more likely to be successful."
In addition to working on cures for some non-Hodgkins and other lymphomas with radioantibody therapy and patient-specific dosing methods, Wahl is keeping busy with publishing duties. He is editing the second edition of Principles and Practice of Positron Emission Tomography—a textbook currently slated for release at RSNA 2007—as well as the pending publication of a teaching file textbook, Atlas of PET/CT and SPECT/CT, with Ora Israel, MD, this summer.
2) Dean F. Wong, MD, PhD
Professor of Radiology, Psychiatry, and Environmental Health Sciences, and Radiology Vice Chair for Research Administration and Training for Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore #6 in 2006
"This is an honor that I greatly appreciate," says Wong, who is playing a major role with the team that carried out the first human D2 dopamine PET study in 1983 at JHU. "It is giving us the opportunity to envision, develop, validate, and apply central nervous system radiotracers to neuropsychiatric disorders and drug development with many creative and outstanding collaborators over the years," he says. This work also includes aid in the training and mentoring of future imaging researchers.
Wong hopes the coming year will bring progress on new state-of-the-art techniques for high-resolution, high-throughput brain PET and SPECT imaging, making it possible to extend the physical technology and new pharmacological bookmarker approaches. He believes this will have an impact on the specialty's knowledge of pathophysiology and treatment, especially in neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, dementia, and substance abuse.
3) Peter S. Conti, MD, PhD, FACR, FACNP
Professor of Radiology and Director of the PET Imaging Science Center for the University of Southern California, Los Angeles #3 in 2006
"I'm honored to be cited by my peers as a leading specialist in the field of molecular imaging," Conti says. "To have this bestowed on me 2 years in a row is certainly unexpected and fulfilling."
Conti recently completed a year as president of the Society of Nuclear Medicine (SNM), during which the organization successfully launched a capital campaign directed at raising funds ($5 million) for the SNM's initiative in molecular imaging. "I'm proud to say that in less than 1 year, we already have raised $3.25 million toward our goal, with a lead donation by GE Healthcare of $1 million," he says. "This [and] the successful launching of the SNM's Molecular Imaging Center of Excellence have been two of my most exciting accomplishments this past year."
Conti, who sits on the board for the SNM's Education and Research Foundation, is a lifetime member of both "Strathmore's Who's Who" and the "Global Directory of Who's Who." He cites working with a variety of molecular imaging experts toward developing the role of novel technologies for patient care as one of the most rewarding aspects of his career.
4) Daniel S. Berman, MD
Director of Nuclear Cardiology/Cardiac Imaging at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles first mention
Berman handles a range of responsibilities at Cedars-Sinai, including co-directing the Artificial Intelligence in Medicine Program and working as an attending physician for the departments of imaging and medicine. Extremely active in the professional community, Berman served for two decades as the course director for The Clinical Nuclear Cardiology: Case Review with the Experts through the American College of Cardiology (ACC), Extramural Program. Since 2004, Berman has been involved with the ACC's Learning Center Subgroup of the Live Programs Working Group, Education Committee, Annual Scientific Session Program Committee, and Education Strategic Directions Committee Working Group on Live Programs. Berman also is a professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine.
5) Marcelo F. Di Carli, MD
Chief of the Division of Nuclear Medicine/PET; Co-director of Cardiovascular Imaging at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston #5 in 2006
Although Di Carli has taken on several administrative responsibilities at Brigham and Women's—including serving as the director of nuclear cardiology, as chief of the division of nuclear medicine/PET, and as co-director of cardiovascular imaging—he spends a significant portion of his time in education and clinical research. Honored to be singled out by the readership as one of the specialty's best, Di Carli recently helped integrate all noninvasive cardiovascular imaging services across both the radiology and cardiology departments at his hospital. He also was involved in the successful expansion of Brigham and Women's nuclear medicine program, which will incorporate a cyclotron and advanced radiopharmaceutical laboratories by the end of 2007. The facility's research program is expected to grow in the coming year, extending into molecular imaging, new technology assessment, and imaging-based clinical trials.
6) James M. Galvin, DSc
Professor and Director of Medical Physics in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia #9 in 2006
"I am pleased to learn that I was chosen by the readers of Medical Imaging magazine as one of the top 10 individuals working in the area of imaging physics," Galvin says. "Although my initial training concentrated heavily on nuclear medicine and diagnostic radiology imaging, my efforts over the years have concentrated mostly in the area of radiation oncology physics." Galvin's work focuses on merging these three medical disciplines in exciting new ways, particularly the use of imaging for stereotactic targeting of small targets in the lung.
Galvin is board certified in therapeutic radiological physics. He has co-authored numerous publications, abstracts, and chapters in the fields of medical physics and radiation therapy. "Bringing sophisticated imaging technologies into the radiation treatment room to help guide the targeting of lesions in the patient's body is just one example of this new relationship," Galvin says. "The changes we see are varied, but the changes in the use of advanced imaging technologies are most remarkable. It is a very dynamic time for those of us working in radiation oncology, and I find it interesting and rewarding to be a part of this evolving process."
7) H. William Strauss, MD
Clinical Director of Nuclear Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCCC), New York; and Professor of Radiology/Nuclear Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical School, New York #4 in 2006
Strauss works to pass along his knowledge and experience to the next generation of specialists. "I am proud of training more than 70 physicians in nuclear medicine and nuclear cardiology, and watching the success of these trainees," says Strauss, who also is an attending physician, and clinician director for the Nuclear Medicine Service at Weill Cornell. "We continue to develop and test new radiopharmaceuticals and investigate the growing role of PET/CT and SPECT/CT in the detection and characterization of atherosclerosis." Throughout his career, Strauss has been awarded a number of patents for processes and products resulting from both individual or collaborative research. His most recent, in 2004, was for "Methods and Apparatus for Characterizing Lesions in Blood Vessels and Other Body Lumens" (patent no. 6,782,289).
8) Ernest V. Garcia, PhD
Professor of Radiology at Emory University Hospital, Atlanta #7 in 2006
"It is a humbling privilege to be recognized as a top nuclear medicine researcher by the readers of Medical Imaging 2 years in a row," Garcia says. "I've been fortunate in my 30-year career to work with remarkable physicians and scientists at Emory University, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and the University of Miami."
Garcia's main area of development has been in the field of quantitative analysis of cardiac images. He developed the first computer interface for the real-time acquisition and display of 2D echo images, and, 25 years ago, he created the polar map display for representing the left ventricle—a device that continues to be used extensively by all cardiac modalities. More recently, Garcia's team has developed software tools to quantify myocardial perfusion and function, and these tools are used in more than 10,000 institutions worldwide.
"I continue to be most excited about making contributions in the field of nuclear cardiology," Garcia says. "Our research plans include development of software tools for measuring LV dyssynchrony from ECG-gated myocardial perfusion scans; image fusion tools to fuse cardiac perfusion and CT imagery; and expert system development as decision support tools for diagnosticians."
9) Mark T. Madsen, PhD, FAAPM, FACR
Professor of Radiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City #10 in 2006
For Madsen, who has been an active member of the SNM for more than 20 years, one of the attractions of a career in nuclear medicine is the widespread support and cooperation among all professions. "This spirit of collaboration with physicians, radiochemists, radiopharmacists, technologists, physicists, and engineers has made this field exciting and vibrant," he says. "It has been, and continues to be, a pleasure working in nuclear medicine, and I am very grateful for this recognition."
Madsen's recent work is on combined agent radionuclide therapy and the completion of a task group report for shielding PET/CT facilities. Teaching also gives him much satisfaction, as he continues to be involved directly in the training of technologists, residents, and graduate students. With his sights firmly fixed on nuclear medicine and molecular imaging, Madsen's future also will include a project to facilitate image perception research through the image-manipulation abnormalities.
10) David Bushnell, MD
Chief of Diagnostic Imaging Service at Iowa City Veterans Hospital; Professor of Radiology at University of Iowa College of Medicine first mention
Bushnell first acknowledges his colleagues. "I've been very privileged over the past 8 or 9 years to work with a pair of wonderful clinical co-investigators: Tom O'Dorisio, MD, and M. Sue O'Dorisio, MD, PhD," he says. "What little success I have achieved would honestly not have been possible without them."
Some of those accomplishments include the completion of three separate clinical trials using Y-90 DOTATOC to treat patients with a variety of neuroendocrine tumors at the Iowa City Veterans Hospital and UIHC. Bushnell also acts as a clinical and research mentor for a young colleague at his facility.
Next up for Bushnell: "We are initiating a phase 1 trial evaluating I-131 MIBG for treatment of pheochromocytoma under the sponsorship of Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals," he says. Under the same sponsor, his team is collaborating on the design of a phase 3 trial of Y-90 DOTATOC: "This is particularly exciting because of the extremely high specific activity of the I-131 MIBG we will be using."
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Cardiovascular imager/cardiac catheterization lab director
1) Geoffrey D. Rubin, MD
Professor of Radiology, Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, and Chief of Cardiovascular Imaging at the Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif first mention
Rubin brings more than a quarter century of experience to his position at Stanford, where his team helped to create a dedicated noninvasive cardiovascular section within the department of radiology. "I am very proud of our department's efforts to rally around this initiative and make the difficult choices to bring all cardiovascular CT and MR under one service, where devoted practitioners could provide a high level of quality and consistency," he says.
And more collaboration is on the horizon, as two colleagues from the division of cardiovascular medicine join Rubin's group. He predicts the new expertise will help the department to realize a broader, multidisciplinary approach to cardiac imaging.
Rubin feels that his team members truly deserve the recognition. "I am deeply honored to receive this recognition on behalf of the terrific cardiovascular imaging team at Stanford University," he says. "We are very fortunate to practice cardiovascular imaging during a time of tremendous technological development and changing practice patterns. Being at the vanguard of the emergence of CT and MR as primary modalities for characterizing cardiovascular disease has been thrilling."
2) Eric J. Topol, MD
Director of Scripps Translational Science Institute; Chief Academic Officer of Scripps Health; Professor of Translational Genomics at The Scripps Research Institute; Senior Consultant of Division of Cardiovascular Diseases at Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, Calif #3 in 2006
With a career including many firsts—such as being the first physician to administer recombinant TPA to a patient, as well as founding the first new medical school in the United States in more than 25 years (the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine)—Topol now looks to make more history. The immediate future includes work to determine the major genomic basis of health and diseases.
Active in the professional community, Topol is a fellow of the ACC, American College of Physicians, and European Society of Cardiology. He also was elected to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Association of Physicians, the American Society of Clinical Investigation, and the Johns Hopkins Society of Scholars. Topol has been recognized by the Institute of Scientific Information in its list of the top 10 cited biomedical researchers in medicine (1995 to 2005).
3) Stanley Katz, MD
Chief of Cardiology at North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, NY; Senior Vice President of Cardiovascular Services at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System #5 in 2006
Katz feels fortunate to have experienced some of the dramatic improvements in cardiac imaging that have led to more successful procedures over the years. "I continue to be thrilled by the advances of cardiac CT, which I believe will become the forefront for cardiac diagnostic testing in the near future," he says. "I believe flat-panel CT will be the next breakthrough, eliminating calcium as an interfering item for accurate coronary diagnoses."
Katz is an active member of the New York State Cardiac Advisory Committee, and he holds a number of principal clinical and hospital service responsibilities at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health Systems—he is vice president of cardiac services, chief for the division of cardiology, and director of the cardiac catheterization laboratory.
4) Ethan Halpern, MD, MS
Associate Professor of Radiology and Professor of Urology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University (TJU); Co-director of the Jefferson Prostate Diagnostic Center, Philadelphia #1 in 2006
"I am thankful for the recognition, but [believe it] really should go to the entire cardiac CT imaging group at Jefferson," Halpern says. "We have assembled the best trained and most dedicated team of physicians, nurses, and technologists in the Delaware Valley to perform these studies."
The team, along with a 64-slice scanner, is part of the cardiac imaging program established by Halpern. The program, which includes clinical, research, and educational components, handles clinical referrals from various cardiology and internal medicine groups, including patients with complicated postoperative anatomy and cardiac stents and those who require percutaneous cardiac procedures and electrophysiological ablation. "We [also] have several ongoing research projects and have presented our results on coronary arteries and cardiac valves at several national meetings," he continues. The program offers a quarterly course on cardiac CT to teach this technique to other physicians.
Halpern currently is leading a clinical trial at TJU Hospital to find out whether a type of ultrasound imaging that uses a contrast agent can improve prostate cancer diagnosis. The trial, supported by a 3-year grant from the Department of Defense, is the first large-scale study in the United States to evaluate contrast-enhanced ultrasound for prostate cancer.
5) Mario J. Garcia, MD, FACC, FACP
Director of Noninvasive Cardiac Imaging at Mount Sinai Heart; Professor of Medicine and Radiology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York City #2 in 2006
"We know that your audience is diverse and has a genuine interest in academic Medical Imaging, and many other outstanding imaging specialists have the qualifications to make it into your list," Garcia says. "I accept this recognition with great honor."
A member of the editorial board of myamericanheart.org, Garcia recently completed and published the hospital's multicenter (CATSCAN) trial in cardiac CT. Garcia and his colleagues soon will begin participating in the high-risk plaque study of atherosclerosis imaging in asymptomatic patients who are at risk.
An active member of several professional societies—including the American College of Physicians, the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, and the ACC—he also received the Feigenbaum Award of the American Society of Echocardiography in 2004 for more than a decade's worth of research in quantification of left ventricular dysfunction.
6) Roberto M. Lang, MD, FACC, FAHA, FESC, FASE
Professor of Medicine, Director of Noninvasive Cardiac Imaging Labs, and Director of the Cardiology Fellowship Program at the University of Chicago Hospitals #4 in 2006
A member of the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) for more than 15 years, Lang prizes his work with the organization as one of the jewels in his prolific career. "I am proud of the work performed by the ASE to promote cardiovascular ultrasound," he says. Lang has been an ASE fellow since 2002 and participates in numerous capacities, such as working with the writing groups on both contrast echocardiography and 3D echocardiography; serving on the nominating, education planning, and oversight committee; co-chairing the scientific program committee; and joining the nominating, bylaws, and ethics committee.
Lang's research covers a range of interests, from the interaction of the heart and systemic circulation as determinants of left ventricular loading conditions and systemic hypertension, to automated border detection and contrast echocardiography for the evaluation of ventriculo-vascular function.
Lang also is pleased with the University of Chicago's accomplishments in promoting 3D ultrasound, and he is eager to expand the division. "[We will] create a world-class imaging center at the University of Chicago that will integrate cardiac ultrasound, CT, and cardiac MRI," he explains. "I am proud of the work we have done to promote 3D ultrasound."
7) John Carroll, MD
Professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado; Director of the Cardiac and Vascular Center, and Chief of Cardiology at the University of Colorado Hospital, DenverAurora #8 in 2006
"We have a wonderful collaborative environment for imaging research at the University of Colorado," Carroll says. "This team is able to simultaneously tackle the technical and clinical issues that are involved in Medical Imaging." Such issues include working on 3D imaging—especially of coronary arteries—for more than 14 years, as well as transitioning those efforts from the research lab to becoming a part of routine clinical practice. Up next, Carroll and colleagues will determine the best method of integrating images from x-ray, CT, and ultrasound to help direct cardiac interventions and improve patient outcomes.
8) J. Jeffrey Carr, MD, MSCE, FACC
Professor and Vice Chair of Clinical Research in the Division of Radiologic Sciences, Division of Public Health Sciences, and Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Cardiology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC #9 in 2006
Last year, Carr played a critical role in establishing a new cardiovascular imaging program, which was a joint effort between cardiology, radiology, and the hospital. "The success of our cardiovascular imaging center in integrating cardiac MR, CT, and echocardiography has exceeded my expectations," he says. "The collaborative environment around our imaging core is not only having a positive influence on my practice, but I also see it making a real difference in the care of our patients."
Carr also participated in the writing group for the American Heart Association consensus statement on cardiac CT, which was published this past fall. His team's work in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) study on coronary artery risk determinants in young adults (CARDIA) demonstrated that cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors measured in early adulthood strongly predict who goes on to develop coronary artery disease.
The future looks just as bright—and busy—for Carr. Results from the NHLBI's Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, presented in March, provide additional information on risk prediction with coronary artery calcified plaque. Carr will be compiling supporting data to target populations for enhanced CVD prevention to dramatically reduce the risk of heart attacks. "It is a definite honor to be recognized by your readers as someone making a contribution to cardiovascular imaging. The field is dramatically expanding in both clinical and research applications, and I feel extremely lucky to be a part of this exciting field," Carr says. "I am constantly reminding myself and our trainees at Wake Forest that we must remain focused on helping people. To achieve this, we must better define the role of cardiovascular imaging in prevention and diagnosis of cardiovascular disease."
9) David Dowe, MD
CEO and COO, Atlantic Medical Imaging, Pleasantville, NJ first mention
"Paying it forward" is more than just a catchphrase for Dowe, who says he is honored to be recognized by readers. "I am most proud of the thousands of radiologists who have come through my practice for education and have gone home and started successful CCTA [coronary CT angiography] programs," he says. "I also am proud of the superior image quality that these radiologists produce."
Dowe will host a cardiac CT course in Scotland this summer. His team also will be working on low radiation dose prospective gating CCTA, as well as establishing Emergency Cardiac Imaging, a company that will provide remote, around-the-clock CCTA postprocessing and readings for emergency departments across the country.
10) U. Joseph Schoepf, MD
Associate Professor of Radiology and Medicine, Director of CT Research, and Co-director of the Center for Advanced Imaging Research at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston #7 in 2006
Named among the elite in his field for 2 years running, Schoepf appreciates the designation from his peers. "Again, I'm deeply honored to have my humble contributions to the field so graciously acknowledged by the vast readership of Medical Imaging," he says. "It is a very pleasant surprise for me to see how much my work is noticed in the medical-imaging community. Of course, this will entice me to continue my quest to provide the best possible service to my patients and serve as a source of information and an educator for people interested in and involved with cardiovascular imaging."
In the coming year, Schoepf and his organizations will move the cardiovascular imaging enterprise into a state-of-the-art facility. Located in the immediate vicinity of the cardiology clinics, acute chest pain unit, and cardiothoracic surgery suites, the new facility will house the latest equipment, including cardiovascular MRI, nuclear medicine, and CT scanning facilities.
"It is my desire and goal to foster and develop the field of cardiovascular imaging at my institution, the Medical University of South Carolina, to the highest possible level of excellence," Schoepf says. "I'm proud and excited about how everyone at my institution is so helpful and supportive in the pursuit of this goal. The entire enterprise is pulling together to make cardiovascular imaging an interdisciplinary showcase of our institution's excellence, both on a national level and on an international level."
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Womens imaging specialist
1) Robyn L. Birdwell, MD
Section Head of the Division of Breast Imaging at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston; Associate Professor of Radiology at Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Mass #3 in 2006
"I am excited and somewhat amazed," Birdwell says. "I hope that my clinical, educational, and research efforts directed toward breast imaging and health care, are worthy of such recognition." In addition to her many professional commitments, Birdwell makes time to volunteer as a consultant at the Community Breast Health Project, a nonprofit organization that provides support for patients with breast cancer. A proud mother, Birdwell is equally invested in the trainees, medical students, residents, and fellows who develop their skills as clinicians, imagers, and compassionate individuals under her tutelage. "Playing even a small part in the creation of tomorrow's physicians and knowing that women's health is of paramount importance to these aspiring caregivers is a privilege," she says.
The future is bright for Birdwell and her team, who are focusing on the new Lee Bell Breast Imaging Center within the Brigham and Women's Hospital. "With an emphasis on a team approach, individualized health care is beginning to flourish. We look forward to further strengthening those aspects of breast health care where we know there is room for improvement, while continuing to provide the personal, knowledge-based, compassionate care that women have come to expect and deserve."
2) Carol H. Lee, MD
Professor of Diagnostic Radiology at Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn; Chair of the Breast Imaging Commission of the American College of Radiology (ACR) #7 in 2006
Active in several professional organizations, Lee relishes her opportunities to give back to the specialty. She is a case reviewer for the ACR Stereotaxic Biopsy Accreditation Program (since 1996), a member of the ACR Committee on Mammography, Interpretive Self-Assessment (since 1999), and a manuscript reviewer for both Radiology and AJR (since 2001). Lee also is incoming president of the Society of Breast Imaging. She will leverage this and her other roles to advance the performance and delivery of breast imaging services and to help support breast imaging and breast imagers.
"Of all of my accomplishments, I am most proud of the ongoing relationships I have developed with my patients over the years," she says. "[I also am proud] of the residents and fellows who have trained in our program who have gone on to be successful in women's imaging careers of their own."
3) Ellen B. Mendelson, MD, FACR
Professor of Radiology at The Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University; Chief of the Breast Imaging Section and Director of Breast Imaging at the Lynn Sage Comprehensive Breast Center of Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago #4 in 2006
The 2003 recipient of the Gold Medallion Award from the Pennsylvania Radiological Society, Mendelson is very active within the specialty. She is a committee member for a number of organizations at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, including the Graduate Medical Education Committee, Search Committee for Director of Lynn Sage Comprehensive Breast Center, and the Executive Committee for the Department of Radiology. Mendelson also lectures extensively. Recently, she spoke at the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, where she discussed "Modern Methods and Procedures in Breast Ultrasound." She also participated in several panel discussions and led a workshop on staging cancer at the Institute for Advanced Medical Education's Breast Imaging Interventions and Innovations meeting.
4) Etta D. Pisano, MD, FACR, FAIMBE
Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, Kenan Professor of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering, and Director of the UNC Biomedical Research Imaging Center at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC #6 in 2006 (tie)
As the principal investigator for the Digital Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial (DMIST), Pisano is well known to breast imagers. "I am, of course, honored to be recognized for my expertise in women's imaging by the readers of Medical Imaging," she says. In addition to her work in the landmark study, Pisano is proud of her leadership in the clinical development of diffraction-enhanced imaging technology for human imaging, which she hopes to commercialize in the next few years.
Pisano is eager to continue work with DMIST, and expects to complete publication of the DMIST results, including the cost-efficiency analysis and the other subset analyses her team has completed. She says, "We hope to have a better idea, based on review of the DMIST cancer cases, film, and digital mammograms displayed side-by-side—and reviewed by expert readers—of why we obtained the results we did in DMIST."
5) Nagi F. Khouri, MD (tie)
Associate Professor of Radiology and Oncology, and Director of Breast Imaging at the Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center, Baltimore #6 in 2006 (tie)
"[This recognition] gives me a sense of pride," Khouri says. "At the same time, I have a sense of humility and modesty, because I feel that I do my job and try to do my best. Many other women's imaging specialists do a great job in this country and also deserve a lot of credit."
In his role at Hopkins, Khouri has helped establish a high standard of clinical care in the breast imaging department, an accomplishment he credits to teamwork. Next up is building the research effort of his division, as well as helping the development of breast health awareness and early detection programs in countries of limited resources, particularly in the Middle East.
5) Katarzyna J. Macura, MD, PhD (tie)
Assistant Professor of Radiology at the Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore #9 in 2006
Macura pioneered the use of high-resolution MR imaging to evaluate the female urethra and urethra-support structures responsible for maintenance of urinary continence. She also described defects, which can be detected on MR imaging, that lead to incontinence. In addition to breast imaging, Macura focuses on the use of MRI in pelvic floor disorders in women, specifically in stress urinary incontinence. She believes that the better the assessment before treatment, the more successful the treatment outcome.
She was recognized in 2005 with the Outstanding Teacher's Award in the diagnostic radiology residency program at Johns Hopkins; the same year, Macura served as the president of the American Association for Women Radiologists. Last year, she was awarded the American Roentgen Ray Society Philips Medical Systems Scholarship.
"My future plans [include] continuation of my work on MR imaging in pelvic floor dysfunction and urinary incontinence in women," Macura says, "and to conduct a prospective clinical trial to compare different imaging modalities in the assessment of patients with stress urinary incontinence."
6) Catherine W. Piccoli, MD
Head of Women's Imaging at South Jersey Radiology Associates PA, South Jersey, Pa #1 in 2006
"I was particularly surprised and pleased by the honor this year because I have entered the private practice world and have—mostly, but not completely—left academics," says Piccoli, who left Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, last year.
Piccoli's recent accolades include being named as a "Top Doc" in breast imaging by Philadelphia Magazine, and being listed by Best Doctors in America. She has worked for the past year to establish an image-guided breast biopsy program in her new practice, in an area where the service had been provided only by surgeons.
"[South Jersey Radiology Associates] is large and includes multiple offices, and has been actively recruiting breast imagers," she says. "The plan is to extend subspecialty coverage and offer image-guided biopsy at another of our distant sites." Outside of clinical practice, Piccoli will remain involved in a couple of research projects, most notably the Patterns of Care project supported by the ACR.
7) Nancy Elliott, MD, FACS (tie)
Founder and Director of Montclair Breast Center, Montclair, NJ; a member of the Medical Imaging Editorial Advisory Board #8 in 2006
After her own mammogram showed microcalcifications that required a biopsy, Elliott founded the Montclair Breast Center, an all-digital facility specializing in breast disease management. "I know it sounds strange, but in retrospect, I enjoyed my experience as a patient," she says. "I felt comfortable with my colleagues taking care of me and the same team that treats all of our patients so well. Now, when I recommend a biopsy, I enjoy being able to say I had one,' and I am able to explain the experience from a personal perspective. I feel that our patients appreciate that first-hand knowledge."
Elliott is well known not only for medical expertise in the field of breast disease evaluation and treatment, but also for her sensitivity and commitment to her patients. This approach to health care grew out of advice given by her mentor: Treat every single patient as if he or she were a member of your family—and you will be successful. Elliott also is a member of many professional societies, including the President's Council of the National Breast Cancer Coalition and the New York Metropolitan Breast Cancer Group.
7) Laurie L. Fajardo, MD, MBA, FACR (tie)
Professor and Chair of the Department of Radiology at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City #2 in 2006
"[This] is a wonderful honor that, in my heart, I share with many, many colleagues, collaborators, assistants, and mentors," Fajardo says. "Without these very special people, my career accomplishments would not have been possible." Her accomplishments include the early development, testing, and investigation of both percutaneous, image-guided breast biopsy and digital mammography.
In addition to her professional commitments, Fajardo is involved in political advocacy for health care resource investments in women's health at the local and national levels. She also works to increase support for research in women's health, particularly breast cancer prevention and cure. Fajardo's cutting-edge research will continue for the foreseeable future. She currently is involved in the development and investigations of breast tomosynthesis and breast CT.
8) Constance Lehman, MD, PhD
Professor of Radiology and Chief of the Section of Breast Imaging at the University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle; Director of Breast Imaging at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance #5 in 2006
Lehman, who recently completed the American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) 6667 breast MRI study, was essential to the development of the breast imaging program at the University of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. "The clinical, research, and educational programs in breast imaging that have resulted from the efforts of talented faculty, staff, and administration are moving the field forward in ways I might not have imagined a decade ago," she says. "It is very exciting to see our very best and brightest young talent in radiology drawn to the specialty of breast imaging."
Seeing such talent gives Lehman confidence in the future. She believes that continuing to support and encourage junior faculty in their efforts will result in dramatic improvements in how women at risk for and with breast cancer are diagnosed and treated. "Through advances in imaging, we continue to find better ways to detect breast cancer early, to diagnose more accurately the true extent of disease, and to evaluate at an earlier time how tumors are responding to treatment," Lehman says. "I am excited to be a part of this rapidly changing field of breast imaging."
9) Darrell N. Smith, MD, MSc
Assistant Professor of Radiology and Faculty Assistant Dean for Admissions at Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Mass first mention
Smith's current project list involves developing a comprehensive breast anatomy and physiology curriculum for the Harvard Medical School. This work is possible thanks to a recently installed 3T breast MR magnet at the Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, where Smith founded the interventional breast MRI program. He started a similar program at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston.
Smith is actively involved in a number of professional societies, including the Society of Breast Imaging, the Association of American Indian Physicians, the ARRS, and the RSNA. He also is a Mammography Film Clinical Reviewer for the ACR, and, in 2004, he was appointed the Faculty Assistant Dean for Admissions at Harvard Medical School.
"In my specialty of breast imaging, I see the impact of science on the health of women," he says, "from early detection with screening mammography to early diagnosis via image-guided, minimally invasive breast biopsy techniques, to the revolutionary image-guided treatments for breast cancer that are the future."
10) Beth M. Deutch, MD
Founder and Medical Director, HerSpace Breast Imaging Associates, West Long Branch, NJ first mention
In more than 10 years as a breast imaging professional, Deutch has received the gratitude of patients, but she is less accustomed to being singled out by her peers. "I am humbled," she says. "It is especially rewarding to be recognized for my work by members of my own field who are, after all, in the best position to judge."
In August 2002, Deutch started HerSpace, which offers women state-of-the-art care in a timely and compassionate manner. "I am most proud of having created a safe haven for women with respect to their breast health," she says. "I also am proud of being a successful businesswoman, the first radiologist in my area who had the courage and conviction to practice under a fee-for-service model." That risk paid off, according to Deutch, because it allows her to provide the type of patient care that is not possible to deliver when dealing with insurance programs. As her practice continues to grow, she is eager to find another breast imager to join her team.
Before turning HerSpace from dream to reality, Deutch worked as the director of breast imaging and medical director of the Wilentz Breast Center at Monmouth Medical Center, Toms River, NJ. While there, she started the cancer hospital's breast MRI program and helped pioneer stereotactic breast biopsy.
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Imaging informaticist and PACS/RIS administrator
1) Steven F. Fischer
Chief Information Officer at the Center for Diagnostic Imaging (CDI), Minneapolis #4 in 2006
Responsible for CDI's information technology (IT) strategy and execution, Fischer helped lead the organization through a significant conversion to an integrated RIS. He also has helped to incorporate other technology advancements, including a Web-based medical professionals portal.
"I'm really proud of what the CDI team has accomplished during the past year, including a seamless migration of our infrastructure to a virtual machine environment, and completing the transition of our centers to a filmless and paperless environment," he says. "Also, I'm pleased with the continuing maturity of our data warehouse and business intelligence capabilities in the areas of performance metrics and revenue projection."
Currently, Fischer is focused on two initiatives, the first of which is to develop clinical decision support tools and capabilities. He also will work to enhance connectivity to CDI's customers, referring physicians, patients, and payors to improve clinical outcomes and patient experience, and to streamline processes.
2) Keith J. Dreyer, DO, PhD
Vice Chairman of Radiology at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Boston; Assistant Professor of Radiology at Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Mass first mention
Dreyer says that being named in the Top 10 serves as a tribute to his mentors, James Thrall, MD, and John Glaser, PhD, "for their limitless visions of the future." He says that being part of a pioneering medical field at its threshold of innovation is a privilege, as is being recognized by his peers as an innovator in the field of imaging informatics.
"My time at MGH and Harvard has served as a breeding ground for innovators and innovation itself," he says. "I have seen a stream of ideas develop from prototype into critical clinical applications. It is our hope that these innovations—in such areas as radiology decision support, natural language understanding, clinical data mining, and advanced visualization—will help to solve many of the challenges facing health care today."
Dreyer will continue to be involved in a variety of arenas, including the virtual integration of multiple, disparate imaging information systems (both RIS and PACS) through the creation of independent workflow orchestration and virtual image exchange systems.
3) James Philbin, PhD
Director of Imaging Informatics at Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM), Baltimore #2 in 2006
Responsible for all aspects of IT for the radiology department, Philbin helped JHM go completely digital over the past 2 years. "We are no longer storing film in the libraries, and we have created a true Enterprise Image Archive, which is delivering digital images to approximately 8,000 workstations throughout the Johns Hopkins Health System," he says. Now that the JHM Filmless 2006 initiative is complete, JHM plans to extend the Enterprise Archive to ophthalmology, dermatology, and possibly pathology. Philbin adds, "We also will be using an eMPI [enterprise master patient index] to create a unified imaging record for our hospitals and clinics."
4) Craig Roy
Chief Information Officer of Radiological Associates of Sacramento (RAS), Sacramento, Calif first mention
"I am shocked; it is but a reflection of my company's success," Roy says. "We have taken a company from a single-server environment to what we consider to be a state-of-the-art IT infrastructure, with very few IT professionals."
Scheduled to speak at the Radiology Business Management Association meeting in May, Roy orchestrated the Community Shared Image Service (CSIS) at RAS. CSIS is a shared image archive between RAS imaging centers and the local hospital system supported by RAS radiologists. "Currently, all pertinent patient priors are sent to this middle-ware system in which a team of image technicians associates them with the patient record so that the radiologist can compare without having to intervene regardless of using the hospital PACS or RAS PACS," Roy explains.
The archive can support multiple viewers, which will be made available based on the referring physician's preference. He says, "this will become an option for our referring physician community to query when needing to view patient images in his or her practice, regardless of where the patient was last imaged."
5) David S. Channin, MD, CPHIMS, CRA
Associate Professor of Radiology and Chief of Imaging Informatics at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine in the Department of Radiology, Chicago first mention
Channin takes pride in the Northwestern laboratory of imaging, which he had a hand in building. "We have a tremendous group of people working on some very interesting projects," Channin says. "This is a great time to be in informatics. Medical Imaging is maturing in its use of information systems, and this opens the door to the development and deployment of novel, next-generation systems." Channin is excited about the current state of Medical Imaging. Although the development of EMRs is advancing slowly, it inevitably will provide opportunities for new processing, analysis, and decision support systems targeted not only for research but also for clinical, education, administration, and management needs, he says.
6) Fernis LeBlanc, Jr, MBA, RT(R)(QM)(CT)
PACS Administrator at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center, Thibodaux, La #9 in 2006
"I am extremely flattered and proud to be thought of in such high regard by my peers," LeBlanc says. "The opinion of a person's peers is the truest measure of that person's performance, credibility, and reputation in a given industry."
Striving to make a difference in patients' lives through the next generation of technology and efficiency, LeBlanc is most proud of the way the radiology team at Thibodaux Regional worked with the PACS and HIS/RIS solutions to combine technology and the human touch—ultimately bringing about exceptional patient care. "This has resulted in outstanding health care service and extraordinary patient satisfaction that is second to none," he says. "It is our job as PACS administrators and informaticists to provide an environment through the use of technologies that lends itself to great patient care. The connect must be made; otherwise, the technology does us no good."
7) Paul Nagy, PhD
Director of Informatics Research and Quality in the Department of Diagnostic Radiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore first mention
Securing his section of the Web, Nagy is the creator of a grassroots virtual community at ClubPACS.com, which works to take the fear out of filmless. "With so many technological changes in our industry and so many people coming in from other fields, it has been rewarding to watch PACS administrators helping each other stay up to speed," he says. "At the Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine, I helped start the ball rolling in creating a certification program for PACS administrators. This is now the work of many people, and I'm proud to be a part of this process and watch it grow."
He also believes that quality is an ongoing process and that installing the technology is just the first step. "Once you have installed your PACS and RIS, you can't sit back on your laurels and say, 'Job well done,' " he advises. "I have found immense opportunities in mining the PACS and RIS together for business intelligence to improve operational efficiencies and quality of care."
Nagy also has served as a lecturer for the University of Maryland, covering "Six Sigma in Medicine Smith School for Business"; a resident lecturer on informatics and physics; and the presenter of a 2-hour imaging informatics fellowship lecture each week.
8) Hwa Kho, PhD, MBA
Director of Imaging Informatics at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center; a member of the Medical Imaging Editorial Advisory Board #5 in 2006 (tie)
The past year has been focused on speech recognition for the team at UCLA, led by Kho, who has more than 12 years of experience in imaging informatics and implementing and managing clinical information systems. As director of imaging informatics, Kho led the implementation of an enterprise-wide RIS, PACS, and speech-recognition solution.
"Implementing and integrating this new technology with our RIS and PACS kept us very busy," he says. "But it also has been exciting and gratifying as we start to see the fruits of our efforts—as report turnaround times fall, and we realize savings in transcription. We are very proud to have achieved a major milestone in reducing transcription to 10% of all reports in a much shorter time than in our most optimistic expectation."
With that milestone achieved, the next year will see the UCLA imaging informatics team focusing on upgrading the RIS and PACS infrastructure. The ultimate goal will be to improve the performance of those systems, while architecting them to improve the overall business-continuance and disaster-recovery capabilities.
9) John Dolbinski
PACS Administrator at the Providence Alaska Medical Center, Anchorage #5 in 2006 (tie)
Dolbinski's recent work has been implementing Nuance Communication Inc's PowerScribe with the PACS in several off-campus locations. With a bachelor's of science degree in business administration from North Dakota State University, Fargo, Dolbinski has worked for Providence Alaska Medical Center for 12 years. A registered x-ray technologist, he is most proud of the fact that the radiology department is now fully digital. He also is proud of being on the second-place boat in the 2006 Winter King Derby in Homer, Alaska.
10) Mark J. Halsted, MD
Chief of the Informatics Research Core at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center #3 in 2006
Halsted finds motivation in being named to Medical Imaging's Top 10. "I have lots of additional ideas and look forward to the day when the solutions we've developed are broadly deployed at other institutions," he says. "At that point, I'll begin to feel really proud of what we've accomplished. This recognition provides helpful motivation to keep moving forward."
As the project leader of RadStream, a Web-based application that integrates with RIS and PACS, Halsted is tasked with getting the workflow-enhancing software broadly deployed. He also has several other projects in development. "The future is very bright—the common thread of all of our projects is to improve patient safety, decrease health care costs, and help a strained health care provider workforce keep up with increasing workloads by increasing their workflow efficiency," he says. "I hope that these efforts will have a broad impact on health care, because the need is clearly out there."
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Association/trade show/CME event/imaging-related educational program
1) Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), Oak Brook, Ill
www.rsna.org #1 in 2006
There's a reason everyone travels to the Midwest immediately after Thanksgiving—the RSNA's annual meeting in Chicago is one of the major radiology events of the year. "It is an honor to be recognized by Medical Imaging. At RSNA, we continually strive to improve our annual meeting, online education, journals, and membership programs, and are delighted to be recognized by the radiology community," says RSNA Executive Director Dave Fellers, CAE. "RSNA's mission is education and research. We continually are looking at opportunities to bring our members the best programs possible."
An association of more than 40,000 radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, and related scientists, RSNA promotes and develops the highest standards of radiology and related sciences through education and research. The new Highlights meeting will be continued in 2008, and RSNA's upcoming Quality Improvement Initiative promises to be very valuable to radiology practices.
"Our technology efforts—Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise, Medical Imaging Resource Center, and other programs—continue to develop valuable programs for the specialty," Fellers says, "and we are in the process of enhancing our Web site and online distance-learning programs."
2) American College of Radiology (ACR), Reston, Va
www.acr.org #2 in 2006
One of the largest specialty organizations in the world, the ACR has more than 32,000 members. "I would like to thank the readers for taking the time to vote in this process," says Arl Van Moore, MD, FACR, chair of the ACR Board of Chancellors. "This is a yardstick to let us know how well we are serving our members' educational needs, and it provides valuable feedback on how we can improve in this very important area."
A main aspect of the ACR's mission is advocacy, and its members are encouraged to become involved in issues affecting radiology. According to Van Moore, it is more important than ever for radiologists to be active participants in the political process and support RADPAC, which is the voice of radiology on Capitol Hill.
Founded 80 years ago, the ACR considers education a very important part of its mission. It recently made its educational offerings more interactive and accessible online. "The ACR also has launched the ACR International Volunteer Services portal, which connects health care facilities in developing countries in need of radiologist physicians, personnel, and equipment, with donors or volunteers in the United States and around the world," Van Moore says. "The ACR is making every effort to better represent and serve our members and enhance their ability to provide the highest level of quality patient care."
3) American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), Albuquerque, NM
www.asrt.org #3 in 2006
"We are thrilled that members of our profession view the ASRT as one of the Industry Top 10," says ASRT President Cynthia K. Daniels, MS, RT(R). "Recognition by our colleagues is one of the highest honors we can achieve." Formed in 1920, the ASRT represents more than 122,000 members who perform medical-imaging procedures or plan and deliver radiation therapy. To help prepare RTs for future leadership roles in their local and national societies, the ASRT accepts up to 30 ASRT members for the annual Leadership Academy. Over the past 11 years, more than 300 RTs have been trained to assume leadership roles in the ASRT and its affiliates.
The ASRT Education and Research Foundation has given out about $250 million in both entry-level and professional education scholarships. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Foundation-sponsored Leadership Academy for Educators, which has graduated about 100 members.
"We try to keep abreast of what our members need and what will help them grow professionally," Daniels says. "For example, we have produced continuing education articles on [a variety of] topics, and we have published research on how physical and emotional stress affects radiographers."
4) American Cancer Society (ACS), Atlanta
www.cancer.org #8 in 2006
A nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization, the ACS is dedicated to preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service. The largest source of private, nonprofit cancer research funds in the United States, the ACS is powered by more than 2 million volunteers nationwide. Its research program has invested about $3 billion in cancer research and has funded 40 Nobel Prize winners early in their careers. Across the country, the ACS seeks to fulfill its mission to save lives and diminish suffering from cancer through community-based programs aimed at reducing the risk of cancer, detecting cancer as early as possible, ensuring proper treatment, and empowering people facing cancer to cope with the disease and maintain the highest possible quality of life. The ACS's advocacy efforts work in concert with its research, education, and service initiatives to strengthen laws, regulations, and programs that increase federal funding for cancer research.
5) Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA), Irvine, Calif
www.rbma.org first mention
The RBMA is the leading source of information for radiology business professionals. Founded in 1968, the association offers valuable education, networking, and resources to help members manage their radiology practices effectively and successfully, according to RBMA President Gregory M. Kusiak. The RBMA hosts two annual conferences, complete with exhibit halls, multiple specialty seminars, and monthly Web/audio conferences. Its listservs offer peer-driven solutions to real-time questions, and RBMA journals keep members posted on industry news, events, and strategies.
6) American Healthcare Radiology Administrators (AHRA), Sudbury, Mass
www.ahraonline.org #4 in 2006
"I can say on behalf of our leadership team that we feel privileged to be recognized as a top association," says Jay P. Mazurowski, MS, CRA, FAHRA, who serves as AHRA president and director of radiology at Concord Hospital, Concord, NH. "I think it's a testament to the outstanding volunteer and staff leadership that the AHRA has enjoyed over the years. We've been very fortunate to have had so many experienced, talented, and devoted individuals interested in giving back to the profession by serving in a leadership capacity."
Earlier this year, AHRA piloted a Basic Management Program. Advanced programs are scheduled for this year with basic programs running concurrently, and the executive track is a work in progress. "Through our Education Foundation, and with the support of many visionary corporate partners, the AHRA is creating an Imaging Leadership Institute that will offer a portfolio of development programs designed exclusively for imaging professionals," Mazurowski says, noting that programs will be designed to target the educational needs of administrators, directors, managers, and supervisors at all experience levels. "The Institute's tiered curriculum levels will include a basic management track for first-time managers or supervisors, along with advanced and executive tracks for more seasoned members."
7) American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO), Fairfax, Va
www.astro.org first mention
Founded in 1958, ASTRO works hard to listen to members' needs and give them the tools they need for success. In response to member interest in incorporating new technology, such as IGRT and IMRT, ASTRO offers symposia on how to use the technology and code for it properly. "With dwindling federal research dollars, ASTRO is working to beef up our research and awards grants to make a difference," says ASTRO Chair K. Kian Ang, MD, PhD. "When our members asked us to help educate patients and the public on the benefits of radiation therapy, we created an educational campaign with brochures and a patient-centered Web site called RTanswers.org to help patients and their families learn about their treatment options."
ASTRO's mission is to advance the practice of radiation oncology by promoting excellence in patient care, providing opportunities for educational and professional development, promoting and disseminating research results, and representing radiation oncology in a rapidly evolving health care environment. ASTRO leaders are planning the 49th annual meeting, scheduled for Fall 2007 in Los Angeles. The meeting's theme, "Treating Cancer While Preserving the Quality of Life," embraces all aspects of oncologic care. Online educational initiatives are also available through the new educational portal, ASRO (ASTRO School of Radiation Oncology).
8) Society of Nuclear Medicine (SNM), Reston, Va
www.snm.org #6 in 2006
"SNM takes care of its members by ensuring that every product and service developed is thoughtfully and intentionally provided to serve its members, advance their value, and improve the quality of patient care," says SNM President Martin P. Sandler, MD. "It is an honor to receive this recognition. The credit goes to our members, who are committed to providing exceptional patient care through the research and practice of molecular imaging and nuclear medicine."
The world's largest international molecular imaging and nuclear medicine scientific and professional association, SNM is dedicated to improving health care by advancing molecular imaging and therapy. More than 16,000 members—including physicians, technologists, and scientists—promote the science, technology, and practical applications of molecular imaging and nuclear medicine to diagnose, manage, and treat diseases.
"SNM is an inclusive organization, welcoming all with an interest in molecular imaging and therapy and nuclear medicine," Sandler says. "Over the next 3 to 5 years, SNM intends to become a recognized leader in knowledge of molecular imaging and nuclear medicine by capitalizing on our signature strengths: multidisciplinary members who are gifted researchers, forward-thinking leaders who promote the discovery of new science and new technologies, the extensive body of knowledge published in our journals, exceptional annual meetings that showcase current research, and long-standing and deep commitment to training the next generation of medical practitioners."
9) Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine (SIIM), Leesburg, Va
www.siimweb.org #5 in 2006
"We are very pleased to be named by the readers of Medical Imaging to the Industry Top 10 for the second year in a row. It is gratifying that the medical-imaging community responds to SIIM's continual efforts to provide quality educational opportunities, resources, and leadership in the field of imaging informatics," says SIIM Executive Director Anna Marie Mason. "Over the past year, we reached out to address specific needs of our diverse, interdisciplinary membership, as well as expanded our reach beyond radiology to be inclusive of other specialties."
SIIM aspires to be the leading health care professional organization representing the interests and goals of those who work with and whose work is affected by the rapidly changing world of information and imaging technologies. SIIM has worked to become the premier source for research and education to promote the development and deployment of new imaging information systems.
"SIIM's most exciting new initiative is the establishment of a formal independent certification program, designed to become a respected sign of professional competence in our field, as well as a guide for anyone wishing to hire or promote imaging informatics staff," says SIIM Chair Curt Langlotz, noting that the first certification examination will be given this fall. "As SIIM continues to grow as a professional organization, it is planning several other initiatives, including the expansion of the SIIM grant and award programs and an Educational Advisory Network with IIP educators within the community."
10) Society of Breast Imaging (SBI), Reston, Va
www.sbi-online.org #9 in 2006
The SBI boasts approximately 2,000 members, including board-certified radiologists, medical physicists, and radiologic technologists. The SBI holds the same goals as those put in place when the society was formed in 1985. Among them are to improve and disseminate knowledge in the field of breast imaging; foster research in all aspects of breast imaging; provide a medium for the exchange of ideas among professionals involved with breast imaging; and establish a channel for publication of scientific reports in the field of breast imaging. Says Executive Director Michele Wittling, "The major activity of the SBI is a biennial postgraduate course, the largest dedicated breast imaging course in North America."
Dana Hinesly is a contributing writer for Medical Imaging. For more information, contact .
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