ACR awardees exemplify the best of what we hope to achieve, emulate and instill in others as Radiology takes medicine to the next level.
FROM THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF CHANCELLORS
Alan H. Matsumoto, MD, MA, FACR
William T. Thorwarth, Jr., MD, FACR, Past ACR President and CEO
Guest Columnist
My sincere thanks to ACR BOC Chair Alan H. Matsumoto, MD, MA, FACR, for the privilege of writing this month’s column, particularly as we highlight the remarkable contributions of our 2026 ACR Gold Medalists and Honorary Fellows. I hope all ACR members and Bulletin readers will take the time to read more about them and appreciate how each of these individuals has impacted our professions, medical progress and, ultimately, patient care. They truly are an incredible group.
Virtually all organizations, including medical specialty societies, develop processes and awards through which they recognize the truly iconic women and men who advance their respective “professions.” I use that term specifically and in plural as the ACR represents multiple related medical specialties, all with the common mission to advance our ability to improve population health by detecting, diagnosing and treating diseases.
As past ACR President and Gold Medalist Milton (Mickey) J. Guiberteau, MD, FACR, asked the ACR Council in his 2006 Presidential Address, “What do we profess?” Though the technical capabilities and necessary skills have evolved over the 130 years since Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen discovered the X-ray — and the 103 years since the birth of the ACR — the inquisitiveness and inventiveness of the past award recipients have been truly inspiring.
One illustrious early example is the 1931 presentation in Paris of the ACR Gold Medal (prior to that, the initiation of Honorary Fellowships focused on international candidates) to Madame Marie Curie by Albert Soiland, MD, founder of the ACR. As the only individual to receive the Nobel Prize for Science in two separate disciplines (Chemistry and Physics), Curie was clearly deserving of this honor.
Each of our five 2026 awardees, through their respective contributions have not just “professed” but succeeded to significantly empower all of us through their “distinguished and extraordinary service” via research, innovation, education, leadership and statesmanship.
Each of our five 2026 awardees, through their respective contributions have not just “professed” but succeeded to significantly empower all of us through their “distinguished and extraordinary service” via research, innovation, education, leadership and statesmanship.
I still recall attending my first ACR Annual Meeting Convocation in 1987 as an alternate Councilor from the North Carolina Radiological Society. Sitting in the audience, I was duly impressed with the formality and reverence of the ceremony and read the list of all past awardees in the Convocation program. First, the group of new ACR Fellows was introduced. They recited the ACR Fellowship pledge administered by then President Thomas F. Meany, MD, FACR. Meany then turned to the next stages of the program, introducing the Honorary Fellows and Gold Medalists selected by the BOC that year.
I sat in awe as each of their career paths and remarkable contributions and achievements were described. Those distinguished recipients were visibly moved by the honor being bestowed upon them and humbly thanked their colleagues and family members who supported them over their decades of contribution.
To educate those less familiar with the spectrum of our awardees, let me cite one year’s example. In 2004, I had the great privilege as ACR President to present four Gold Medals and one Honorary Fellowship:
Quite the “class” of 2004!
I have attended 38 Convocation ceremonies and religiously read the list of Honorary Fellows and Gold Medalists at each of them. In doing so, I am reminded each year that we are all standing on the shoulders of giants, reaping the benefits of their countless discoveries and career-long efforts to improve our capabilities. I strongly encourage all ACR members to attend at least once during your career. Better yet, “profess” to becoming an ACR Fellow and thus be a Convocation participant.
The “class” of 2026 Gold Medal and Honorary Fellow awardees, who will be introduced by ACR President Timothy L. Swan, MD, FACR, in Washington in May, add additional luster to their respective lists, which I will respectfully read once again. Please take a few moments to learn more about their amazing accomplishments.
Let me add my personal congratulations and thanks to each of them. We should all celebrate and admire what they have done to make our multiple “professions” what we practice today.
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