RSNA 2025 Gold Medalist

Recognized for his contributions to the development of MRI surface coils, MRI contrast agents and new methods for MR Angiography since the early days of MRI, Thomas M. Grist, MD, is professor of Radiology and Medical Physics at the University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison. 

“Dr. Grist has been a pioneering force in MRI research and clinical innovation for decades. His contributions—from advancing surface coil and contrast agent technology to developing new techniques in MR angiography—have had a profound and lasting impact on the field of radiology,” said RSNA President, Umar Mahmood, MD, PhD. “As a leader, educator and visionary collaborator, Dr. Grist has elevated academic radiology and fostered a culture of innovation that continues to benefit patients worldwide. It is a great honor to recognize his extraordinary career with the RSNA Gold Medal.”

Throughout his career, Dr. Grist has partnered with colleagues in Medical Physics and industry to improve our ability to diagnose and treat a variety of diseases, especially heart and blood vessel disorders. As chair of the Radiology Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for nearly two decades, Dr. Grist established the Imaging Sciences Center in the Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research, a state-of-the-art facility devoted to the development of medical imaging technologies and their translation to clinical practice through collaborations between academic leaders and industry partners

Dr. Grist has lectured extensively, nationally and internationally. He has authored four books, 16 book chapters and more than 200 peer-reviewed publications. His research has resulted in 19 patents.

He is an active member in many professional organizations including RSNA, where he served as chair of the Board of Trustees of the R&E Foundation and Cardiovascular refresher course committee chair. Dr. Grist is a former president of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) and the Society of Chairs of Academic Radiology Departments (SCARD). He is president elect of International Society for Strategic Studies in Radiology (IS3R).

The recipient of many awards and honors throughout his career, Dr. Grist has been honored as a Fellow of the American Heart Association, ISMRM, the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, the Society for Advanced Body Imaging, and the American College of Radiology. He was recognized with the distinguished investigator award from the Academy for Radiology and Biomedical Imaging Research. He also received the Folkert Belzer Award for contributions to the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. He was recognized with the 2024 American Association of Physicists in Medicine Moses & Sylvia Greenfield Award for Best Paper in Medical Physics. 

He received his undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering from Marquette University in Milwaukee, and his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, where he also completed a post-doctoral research fellowship at the National Biomedical ESR Center. He pursued his radiology residency at Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, before returning to his home state for a faculty position at the University of Wisconsin.