Program Dedications
Sanjiv S. Gambhir, MD, PhD
Sanjiv S. Gambhir, MD, PhD, was a highly distinguished physician-scientist whose methods in molecular imaging and in vitro diagnostics revolutionized early cancer detection and management strategies. Dr. Gambhir was the Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Professor in Cancer Research, chair of the Department of Radiology and director of the Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford. Dr. Gambhir received RSNA’s 2009 Outstanding Researcher Award, delivered the 2010 RSNA New Horizons Lecture and the 2019 RSNA Annual Oration in Diagnostic Radiolog.
Dr. Gambhir received several prestigious awards in the field of biomedical imaging, including the 2020 European Society of Molecular Imaging (ESMI) annual award, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Marie Sklodowska-Curie Award, the Hounsfield Medal from the Imperial College of London, the Tesla Medal from the United Kingdom Royal College of Radiologists, and the George Charles de Hevesy Nuclear Pioneer Award from the Society of Nuclear Medicine.
Lawrence W. Bassett, MD
Lawrence W. Bassett, MD, was considered one of the founders of breast imaging, internationally known for his role in the development of the Mammography Quality Standards Act and his role as a founding member of the American College of Radiology (ACR) Committee for Standardized Mammography Reporting which developed the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS®). He was a professor emeritus of radiological sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Dr. Bassett was the Iris Cantor Endowed Chair of Breast Imaging at UCLA from 1992 until his retirement in 2016. Dr. Bassett gave the RSNA Annual Oration in Diagnostic Radiology in 2007. He received gold medal awards from the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI). The American Board of Radiology presented him with its Distinguished Service Award and its Lifetime Service Award.
Plenary Lecture Dedications
E. Robert Heitzman, MD
The Plenary Lecture on Monday, Nov. 29, will be dedicated to the memory of E. Robert Heitzman, MD. Dr. Heitzman was a former RSNA president and an acclaimed researcher in the anatomy and diseases of the lungs. Dr. Heitzman spent more than 20 years at SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, where he served as chair and vice-chair of the Department of Radiology and director of the Diagnostic Division.
Following his RSNA presidency, Dr. Heitzman served as associate editor and consultant to the editor of Radiology. He also chaired the R&E Foundation’s Diamond Jubilee Committee. Dr. Heitzman presented the Annual Oration in Diagnostic Radiology in 1981 and received the RSNA Gold Medal in 1994. Dr. Heitzman was a former president of the American College of Radiology and the Fleischner Society. He was an honorary fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
David B. Fraser, MD
The first Plenary Lecture delivered on Tuesday, Nov. 30, will be dedicated to the memory of David B. Fraser, MD. Dr. Fraser was a former RSNA president and international leader in cardiovascular imaging. For more than 50 years, Dr. Fraser was a mentor, teacher, researcher and leader in Canadian radiology, retiring as chair of the Department of Diagnostic Radiology at Dalhousie University and Victoria General Hospital in Halifax in 1998.
Following his RSNA presidency, Dr. Fraser served as chair of the R&E Foundation Board of Trustees. Dr. Fraser received the RSNA Gold Medal in 2003. Dr. Fraser also served as president of the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) and was recognized with its gold medal.
O. Wayne Houser, MD
The second Plenary Lecture delivered on Tuesday, Nov. 30, will be dedicated to the memory of O. Wayne Houser, MD. Dr. Houser was a former RSNA president and internationally acclaimed neuroradiologist. He was a professor emeritus at Mayo Clinic, Rochester.
Following his RSNA presidency, Dr. Houser joined the R&E Foundation Board of Trustees, eventually serving as chair. Dr. Houser was awarded the RSNA Gold Medal in 1999. He was a former president of the American Society of Neuroradiology and received its gold medal in 2001. He was named an honorary member of the French Society of Radiology in 1996.