In Memoriam: Leonard Berlin, MD, FACR

By Meghan Edwards, freelance writer, ACR Press

This past September, radiology lost one of its most published and sought-after speakers. Leonard “Lenny” Berlin, MD, FACR, gave over 50 years to both radiology and the College, serving as a physician, scholar, mentor and friend. Berlin’s efforts saw him extremely well-decorated, with his career culminating in gold medals from ACR, the American Roentgen Ray Society and the Chicago Radiological Society. Additionally, Berlin received the Radiology Leadership Institute® Luminary award and was celebrated as one of the 10 most outstanding practicing radiologists in 2007 by readers of Medical Imaging magazine. He served as a clinical professor of radiology at the University of Illinois and Rush University and as the chair and vice chair of the department of radiology at North Shore University Health System, Skokie Hospital for over 40 years. Berlin was also recognized as an honorary member of numerous societies, including the Italian Society of Medical Radiology.

Berlin was also so much more than his titles or the accolades he received. Those closest to him remember his warmth and dedication to everyone he met. “No question was too small, no person unimportant,” says Jonathan Berlin, MD, FACR, Berlin’s youngest son. “He had time for everyone, and he made sure of it.” James P. Borgstede, MD, FACR, adds, “Lenny was extremely devoted to his family, his friends, his community and his patients.”

Berlin attributed that devotion to growing up working in his father’s store. The store would become exceptionally busy on Sundays after the local church service. Because his father was the sole proprietor, there would often be three or four customers lined up and waiting. When new ones entered and saw the line, they would start to turn around, but Berlin’s father called them back, saying, “Please do not leave. I will take care of you.” Berlin carried that commitment to service with him throughout his life, even defining professionalism as “the sincere commitment of serving others .”

 

Berlin’s devotion and care for others are reflected in his work as a voice for medico-legal affairs, both as an advocate and an educator. His interest stemmed from an event in 1975 when Berlin was notified that a patient had filed a lawsuit against him, claiming that an unidentified chip fracture had resulted in permanent loss of function to the hand. When a leading hand surgeon confirmed the fracture was not visible on the X-ray, Berlin decided to countersue, an event largely without precedent at the time. Ultimately, the jury ruled in favor of Berlin for both the suit and countersuit. The case soon gained national attention, with news outlets calling Berlin and asking for him to appear. Jonathan Berlin recalls his father humbly saying with a laugh, “That must have been a really slow news week.”

Later, the countersuit verdict was reversed on appeal, but Berlin admitted he was glad because countersuits such as his could result in patients being afraid to seek legal reparation.

Berlin used that event and the attention he received to begin educating radiologists on the intersection of law and medicine as well as about ethics and professionalism. He continued to write for various journals throughout the duration of his career, including publishing over 225 articles with the American Journal of Roentgenology. “His articles were ultimately about protecting patients and ensuring that radiologists practiced good medicine,” says Borgstede. Berlin’s articles were one of his proudest accomplishments. “It meant so much to him when people he hadn’t met approached him at meetings and told him how helpful they found his articles,” says Jonathan Berlin.

In addition to his writing, Berlin was an educator and mentor to countless individuals. He was extremely engaged in academic medicine, being one of the first advocates for bringing both CT and MRI not only to his hospital but to the entire Chicago area. Because CT and MR technology was so new, Berlin’s actions involved considerable risk. Nonetheless, as Jonathan Berlin recalls, his father “…truly believed in them and their ability to help patients, so he put himself on the line.”

Berlin’s commitment to service and to others was also reflected in his family life. Married for 69 years and the father of four sons, Berlin served as a role model for his children. “Personally, and professionally, he was my hero,” says Jonathan Berlin. Berlin passed away from Alzheimer’s disease at 90, surrounded by his family. He will long be remembered as one of the most influential figures in the specialty. Richard B. Gunderman, MD, FACR, adds, “We can only hope that the future of radiology will be peopled by people of the same dedication and character as Lenny, who will be sorely missed.”