Fritzsche Calls for Involvement

2003 RSNA President Peggy J. Fritzsche, M.D., is calling on her medical colleagues to get involved in politics to help protect patients and the medical profession.

In a cover story in the September issue of Southern California Physician, Dr. Fritzsche said: "I have observed firsthand, on visits to legislators' local offices and to Sacramento, the importance of educating our legislators on issues related to medicine. They honestly do not understand our view unless we make the effort to inform them."

Dr. Fritzsche sits on the executive committee of the California Medical Association (CMA) Political Action Committee, is the RSNA delegate to the American Medical Association, and is a member of the Key Contact Program for CMA and for the American College of Radiology.

To read the article, go to www.socalphys.com/sep04/feature1.pdf.

Som Receives ASHNR Gold Medal

The American Society of Head and Neck Radiology (ASHNR) has awarded its 2004 gold medal to Peter M. Som, M.D., a professor of radiology, otolaryngology and radiation oncology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

Dr. Som, recognized as one of the world's foremost head and neck radiologists, is a founding member of ASHNR.

Two Radiology Residents Honored

Julia J. Choo, M.D., and Stephanie H. Swope, M.D., have been awarded the inaugural Steven M. Pinsky, M.D., Resident Research Awards.

Presented by the Illinois Radiological Society (IRS) at its annual meeting in September, the award is designed to encourage radiology and radiation oncology members-in-training to do research, to enhance their academic careers and to promote an inter-institutional exchange of information.

Dr. Choo is a radiation oncology resident at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Dr. Swope is a diagnostic radiology resident at Southern Illinois University Hospitals in Springfield.

A committed educator and former IRS president, Dr. Pinsky died last April.

Julia J. Choo, M.D.	Stephanie H. Swope, M.D.

John Becomes First Female UT Chair

Susan D. John, M.D., has been named the John S. Dunn Sr. Distinguished Chair of Radiology at the University of Texas Houston Medical School. Her appointment makes her the first female chair in the history of the medical school.

Dr. John is also the chief of pediatric radiology for Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston.

Vannier Earns Faculty Post at University of Chicago

Michael W. Vannier, M.D., a pioneer in the collection and presentation of medical images, has been appointed professor of radiology at the University of Chicago.

A member of the NASA/U.S. Space Foundation Hall of Fame, Dr. Vannier was previously a professor of radiology and industrial engineering at the University of Iowa.

He holds six image-processing patents, including one for a method of gastrointestinal tract unraveling and two for computer-based upper-extremity evaluation.

Phlegar Steps Down at Erlanger, ADR

Robert F. Phlegar, M.D., has left his post as chief of radiology at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, Tenn., and as president and CEO of Associates in Diagnostic Radiology (ADR).

"For the last four years I have been going to meetings early in the mornings and at night. Now I will be spending more time with my family," said Dr. Phlegar, who recently turned 61.

Van Houten to Head UMass Radiology

Francis X. Van Houten, M.D., is the new director of radiology services for the Memorial and Hahnemann Campuses of the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center.

Dr. Van Houten is also an associate professor of clinical radiology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.