MONDAY, 11/29/99 ~ MORNING EDITION
Thrall honored as radiology leader at Diagnostic Imaging award ceremony

By James M. Brice

As a tribute to the best minds and innovations in radiology, Peter L. Ogle, editor of Diagnostic Imaging, presented the magazine's first Excellence in Diagnostic Imaging awards in ceremonies corresponding with the RSNA meeting Sunday at the Regal Knickerbocker Hotel.

Winners were announced in five categories:
  • Dr. James H. Thrall, radiologist-in-chief at Massachusetts General Hospital, was presented the leadership award as radiology's most effective department chairman, educator, and advocate for radiology;
  • Dr. Mark H. Wholey, chairman of the Pittsburgh Vascular Institute, received the innovation award for numerous creative breakthroughs, such as the first contrast power injector, the first angioplasty of a saphenous vein graft bypass, the first torque-able guidewire, and development of carotid stenting as an alternative to surgical endarectomy;
  • Dr. Stephen J. Swensen, chairman of the radiology department at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, accepted the customer service award on behalf of the entire department for its superior approach to meeting patient needs;
  • Multislice CT was chosen for the technology award as the single greatest improvement in speed and clinical utility in the history of CT; and
  • Dr. Steven C. Horii, assistant professor of radiology at the University of Pennsylvania, was presented the partnership award for fostering the creation of the DICOM standard and encouraging its adoption.

The Excellence in Diagnostic Imaging awards were established in 1999 to honor the people, institutions, and technologies that are most responsible for advancements in radiology, according to Ogle.

"In a time when mediocrity so often takes precedence over quality healthcare, a moment's pause to recognize the people who have made a difference for radiology is the right thing to do," he said.

Winners of the Excellence in Diagnostic Imaging Awards were selected on the basis of nominations made by readers of Diagnostic Imaging, in response to ballots published in the magazine and solicited by e-mail and at DI Online. Three to five finalists were determined for each category on the basis of popular vote. A committee of radiologists, DI editors, and an industry consultant chose the winners.

The second annual DI Awards will be announced at the RSNA meeting in November 2000. Nominations will be solicited next summer.