December 1, 2015 — Today the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) conferred its highest honor, the Gold Medal, upon Hedvig Hricak, M.D., Ph.D., Dr.h.c., Robert A. Novelline, M.D., and Steven E. Seltzer, M.D.
In a tradition that originated in 1919, Gold Medals are presented each year to individuals who have rendered exemplary service to the science of radiology and who have received unanimous approval by the RSNA Board of Directors.
Hedvig Hricak, M.D., Ph.D., Dr.h.c.
Hedvig Hricak, M.D., Ph.D., Dr.h.c., is internationally renowned for her extensive research and clinical expertise in genitourinary and gynecologic oncologic imaging. Her pioneering work in MRI and MR spectroscopic imaging of prostate cancer and MRI and CT of gynecological cancers helped lay the groundwork for genitourinary and gynecologic oncologic imaging as we know them today. Dr. Hricak was RSNA President in 2010.
"The importance of Dr. Hricak's role in imaging—particularly in gynecological and prostate cancers—can't be overstated," said RSNA President Ronald L. Arenson, M.D. "Along with her remarkable early work, she continues to break ground developing clinical approaches for functional and molecular imaging of cancer—advancements that represent not only the future of patient care, but the field of radiology. As a leader, Dr. Hricak is forging an extraordinary legacy in our specialty."
"I am tremendously honored to receive the RSNA Gold Medal," Hricak said. "It was both a privilege and a pleasure to serve the Society and our profession. Not only did I enjoy the wonderful team spirit and camaraderie, I also learned a great deal. I am deeply grateful to all my fellow Board members and committee members as well as the excellent, dedicated RSNA staff with whom I collaborated over the years."
Hricak, a native of Zagreb, Croatia, earned a medical degree from the University of Zagreb in 1970. She came to the United States two years later, completing her radiology residency at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Pontiac, Mich., in 1977, followed by a fellowship at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, where she served as a senior staff member.
She served from 1982 to 1999 as professor of radiology, radiation oncology and gynecology and, eventually, as head of abdominal imaging in the Department of Radiology at the University of California, San Francisco. In 1999, she assumed her current position as chair of the Department of Radiology, Carroll and Milton Petrie Chair, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York.
She also holds a senior position within the molecular pharmacology and chemistry program at the Sloan Kettering Institute and is a professor at the Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, as well a professor of radiology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.
Hricak received her Ph.D. (Dr. Med. Sc.) from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1992, and in 2005 became the first woman to receive an honorary doctorate in medicine (Dr.h.c.) from the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich in its 500-year history. She was appointed to the RSNA Board of Directors in 2002 as liaison for publications and communications. Prior to her board appointment, Hricak served as chair of RSNA's Public Information Advisory Board and as a member of other RSNA public information committees.
She has authored or co-authored 18 books, more than 450 research articles, reviews and editorial articles, and more than 130 book chapters. She is an associate editor and editorial board member of numerous premier medical journals, serving as an associate editor of Radiology from 1985 to 1993 and a consultant to the editor of Radiology from 1993 to 1997.
Hricak is a member of the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) and has served on the Scientific Advisory Board of the National Cancer Institute and the Advisory Council of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering. Throughout her career, Hricak has worked to promote international collaboration and has helped to create international training programs to improve imaging practice and research, particularly in developing countries.
In recognition of her international outreach efforts, research and visionary leadership, Dr. Hricak has received many awards, including the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Award from the American Association for Women Radiologists, the Beclere Medal of the International Society of Radiology, the Howard M. Pollack Medal of the Society of Abdominal Radiology, the Katarina Zrinska Croatian Presidential Award and the gold medals of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM), the Association of University Radiologists, the Asian Oceanian Society of Radiology and the European Society of Radiology.
Hricak was awarded fellowship by the American College of Radiology, the ISMRM, the Society of Uroradiology, the International Cancer Imaging Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She is a member of the Russian Academy of Science and the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, and is an honorary member or fellow of 15 national radiological societies from around the globe.
For her groundbreaking contributions to functional and molecular imaging, her efforts to promote education throughout the world, and her visionary leadership, RSNA is proud to award its Gold Medal to Hedvig Hricak, M.D., Ph.D., Dr.h.c.
Robert A. Novelline, M.D.
One of the most highly respected educators in radiology today, Robert A. Novelline, M.D., has become internationally known for his expertise in emergency radiology.
Along with establishing one of the nation's first emergency radiology residency/fellowship programs in the early 1980s, Novelline, a professor of radiology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, has trained hundreds of students and junior staff members and is a founding member of the American Society of Emergency Radiology (ASER).
"A pioneering researcher, educator and author, Dr. Novelline has expertly shaped and guided the growth of emergency radiology for more than three decades," said RSNA President Ronald L. Arenson, M.D. "His dedication to educating and mentoring radiology students will long be felt at medical schools that still rely on his landmark textbook to teach the fundamentals of radiology, and by patients who reap the benefits of his expertise every day. We are fortunate Dr. Novelline chose to devote his intellect, talent and vision to our specialty."
"I am deeply honored to receive the RSNA Gold Medal and am thrilled to be included among the illustrious group of prior recipients," Novelline said. "I would like to particularly acknowledge the support of the many individuals who contributed to the success of my academic career, including my family, friends, colleagues and mentors. I am most appreciative of their encouragement, friendship and generosity. Special gratitude is due to the members of the RSNA Board of Directors and RSNA staff for their continued support and assistance, as well as their recognition of my two special interests, emergency radiology and radiology education."
Born in Boston, Novelline received his medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine and completed his radiology residency and fellowships in both vascular/interventional radiology and radiology education at Massachusetts General Hospital. Much of Novelline's early research and many of his publications dealt with therapeutic intravascular infusion therapy, therapeutic embolization and angioplasty.
Dr. Novelline's dedication to radiology education began early in his career. He served as director of both the Harvard Medical School Core Clerkship and the Advanced Radiology Clerkship at Massachusetts General Hospital between 1975 and 2012. In 1977, Novelline was named assistant professor of radiology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, moving up the ranks to his current position as professor in 1996.
In 1982, he was appointed director of the newly formed Division of Emergency Radiology at Massachusetts General Hospital — a position he held until 2012. Novelline shaped the course of emergency radiology on a number of fronts. He installed one of the first CT scanners in an emergency imaging division, pioneered research on CT diagnosis of trauma and acute non-traumatic emergencies, and reported on new CT techniques for diagnosing appendicitis, diverticulitis and urinary tract stones.
Among the founding members of ASER in 1987, Novelline led the effort to revise, expand and disseminate the National Curriculum in Emergency Radiology, a major focus of ASER. In 1998, he founded the Alliance for Medical Student Educators in Radiology. Novelline has served the Association of University Radiologists (AUR) in many capacities, including as president in 2012.
Novelline served initially as co-author and later as author of the landmark 1988 book, "Squire's Fundamentals of Radiology," used by medical schools throughout the United States and abroad. Another textbook co-authored in 1993 by Novelline, "Radiology of Emergency Medicine," still serves as the definitive reference textbook on emergency radiology.
Novelline has published over 150 original reports or reviews and has served on the editorial boards of journals including Radiology, Emergency Radiology and Investigative Radiology, and as a manuscript reviewer for Academic Radiology, American Journal of Radiology and The New England Journal of Medicine. He is a sought-after speaker who has lectured nationally and internationally on emergency radiology and radiology education, and has held more than 50 visiting professorships around the world.
Among his extensive RSNA history, Novelline served as the first RSNA co-chair of the RSNA-American College of Radiology Public Information Website Committee, and oversaw the successful launch of RadiologyInfo.org. He also served on the RSNA Refresher Course Committee from 1997 to 2006, serving as chairman from 2003 to 2006, and as director of the Emergency Radiology Track from 1997 to 2002. He has also served on the RSNA Public Information Advisors Network since 2005. In 2007, Novelline was named the RSNA Outstanding Educator.
Other accolades include the 2004 Association of Program Directors in Radiology's Achievement Award, the 2012 Alliance for Medical Student Educators in Radiology Excellence in Education Award and the 2013 Sustained Excellence in Teaching Award from Harvard Medical School. Novelline received the ASER gold medal in 2000 and the AUR gold medal in 2015.
In recognition of his considerable contributions and dedication to education and clinical research and his visionary role in developing the growth of emergency radiology, RSNA is proud to award its Gold Medal to Robert A. Novelline, M.D.
Steven E. Seltzer, M.D.
A renowned clinician and researcher, Steven E. Seltzer, M.D., has forged a legacy as a passionate educator committed to teaching and mentoring radiology students and junior faculty to fill the leadership roles so critical to the specialty's future.
"From the beginning of his career, Dr. Seltzer has understood the true importance of radiology research and the need to provide opportunities for young investigators to take their ideas from concept to fruition," said RSNA President Ronald L. Arenson, M.D. "Radiology owes a great debt to Dr. Seltzer for shepherding the academic and research careers of trainees who make up the next generation of radiologists. His vision and leadership in organized radiology have helped shape our specialty. The multidisciplinary translational research center he co-founded will continue to offer research opportunities for years to come."
"I am incredibly humbled and proud to have been selected to receive one of the RSNA's 2015 Gold Medals," Seltzer said. "Even though my name may be on the award, it reflects the accomplishments of an entire team of colleagues at Brigham and Women's Hospital and friends from across the country. It has been a pleasure and an honor to work with such talented people. I am also enormously thankful to my wonderful family who has given me the love, support and understanding needed to be successful in a long professional career."
Born in Philadelphia, Seltzer received his baccalaureate and medical degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and completed his radiology residency at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in 1980. He joined the Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School staff directly afterward, and remained on staff for his entire career. From 1984 to 1997, Seltzer served as co-director of abdominal imaging and director of CT at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Since 1997, Seltzer has held his current position as chair of the Department of Radiology at Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Philip H. Cook Professor of Radiology at Harvard Medical School.
From 1984 to 1997 as department chair, Seltzer worked with founding director Ramin Khorasani, M.D., M.P.H., to establish the Center for Evidence-Based Imaging at Brigham and Women's Hospital in 2002. The unique multidisciplinary translational research center offers diversified funding sources, including research grants from the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, among other institutions.
Seltzer, who served on the RSNA Health Policy and Practice Committee from 2000 to 2002, is active in numerous radiology organizations and served as president of the AUR, the Academy of Radiology Research (ARR) and the Society of Chairs of Academic Radiology Departments. He was elected to fellowship in the American College of Radiology in 1997. He was awarded the AUR gold medal in 2004.
Seltzer currently serves as chair of the Coalition for Imaging and Bioengineering Research, created by the ARR. His other honors include the 1981 Teacher of the Year Award from the Brigham and Women's Hospital Department of Radiology and numerous Editor's Recognition Awards from Radiology.
Seltzer has published over 130 peer-reviewed research manuscripts in journals including Radiology, Academic Radiology and the American Journal of Roentgenology.
For his dedication and commitment as a radiology educator, mentor, clinician and author and his visionary leadership in promoting translational research, RSNA is proud to award Steven E. Seltzer, M.D., its Gold Medal.
For more information: RSNA.org
August 09, 2024 
