Richard B. Gunderman, MD, PhD, is a professor and vice chairman of the department of radiology at Indiana University, with faculty positions in pediatrics, medical education, philosophy, philanthropy, and liberal arts.
Dr Gunderman’s education began with a Summa Cum Laude/Phi Beta Kappa bachelor of arts degree (biology and philosophy) from Wabash College in Indiana. As a member of the Medical Scientist Training Program at the University of Chicago, he earned both his PhD in social thought and MD, graduating at the top of his class. After a year as a Federal Chancellor Scholar in Germany, he completed his radiology residency in Chicago, serving as chief resident. In addition, he holds a masters degree in public health from the Indiana University School of Medicine.
While a student and resident at the University of Chicago, Dr Gunderman designed and taught 16 courses on topics related to medicine, ethics, and religion, creating the second-year elective in radiology. At Indiana University, he has designed and taught 13 different courses on radiology, medicine, philosophy, and philanthropy. As a teacher at Indiana, he has won the Trustees Award for Teaching a record six times, as well as the highest teaching awards of the Indianapolis campus and the entire university system, one of few physicians and the first radiologist ever to do so.
Dr Gunderman has served in many positions at Indiana University, including but not limited to, vice chair of radiology for education, director of pediatric radiology, and clerkship director for radiology. He has a long and successful history of mentoring medical students. In 2007 alone, he coauthored articles with eight different medical students, all of whom have gone on to radiology residencies.
Dr Gunderman has published a remarkable number of articles in radiology, medical education, humanities, history of medicine, health policy, and philosophy. Thirty-seven of his over 210 refereed publications have focused specifically on radiology education.
Because of his personal presence and creative thought, Dr Gunderman is a much sought after speaker. During the last 3 years alone, he has delivered seven named lectures, 21 keynote addresses, 17 grand rounds, 36 invited lectures, and has served as a visiting professor at eight different institutions.
On the national level, Dr Gunderman created and chairs the educational track for the ARRS annual meeting. He is the past recipient of both an AUR-GERRAF Award and the first RSNA R&E Foundation Education Scholar Grant. He now serves on the Foundation’s Education Study Section. He is a member of 22 different societies, many with a focus on education.
Dr Gunderman is the author of six books. The second edition of his Essential Radiology: Clinical Presentation, Pathophysiology, Imaging was hailed by the American Journal of Roentgenology, which wrote, “Anyone who has ever had the opportunity to hear Richard Gunderman lecture would expect only a product of exceptional quality by this erudite radiologist-educator. He delivers the goods!” His Achieving Excellence in Medical Education represents one of few books on medical education authored by a radiologist. Dr Gunderman’s most recent book, We Make a Life by What We Give, draws on his experiences as a physician and educator to build a case for giving as an essential element in a full career and life. His next book, Leadership in Medicine, will be published in January.
Dr Gunderman will leave a lasting mark on countless undergraduates, medical students, residents, fellows and practicing physicians.
“Dr Richard Gunderman is an exemplary and truly outstanding radiologist educator who has made very important contributions locally and internationally to the field of radiology and to medical education in general.” - Bryan D. Berkey, MD, Chief of Ultrasound; Tripler Army Medical Center, Assistant Professor of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine
“Dr Gunderman is the owner of incredible intellect and energy. He has made a life-long commitment to use these qualities to advance thoughtful discussions in many areas, provide educational opportunities for numerous people in numerous arenas, and has done so with personal warmth and respect with every interaction that I have seen him make over the years.” - Andrew J. Taylor MD, Professor of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
“Richard is clearly to be differentiated from other teachers by his unique commitment to reflection on teaching and the scholarship of teaching. He is unusual in that he is not only a good teacher, but also he has published very widely in the areas of philosophy and methodology of teaching.” - Mervyn D. Cohen, MB, ChB, MD, Eugene C. Klatte Professor of Radiology, Indiana University