RSNA Press Release

CHICAGO, Nov. 26, 2007 - Today the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) awarded honorary membership to three individuals who have distinguished themselves as outstanding contributors to the field of radiology and its allied sciences. The recipients were Francisco A. Arredondo, M.D., from Guatemala City, Guatemala; Byung Ihn Choi, M.D., Ph.D., from Seoul, South Korea; and Christian J. Herold, M.D., from Vienna, Austria.

Francisco A. Arredondo, M.D.

Francisco A. Arredondo, M.D., has demonstrated his dedication to advancing the field of radiology in developing countries through his service to a variety of global radiology organizations.

"Everyone who knows Dr. Arredondo respects his outstanding leadership abilities," said RSNA President R. Gilbert Jost, M.D. "He has made groundbreaking contributions to the advancement of radiology in Central America and throughout the world."

An RSNA member since 1977, Dr. Arredondo served on the Committee on International Relations & Education for many years. Now a professor of anatomy and chair of the Department of Radiology at the Francisco Marroquin University School of Medicine, Dr. Arredondo also chairs the Department of Radiology at Hope University Hospital in Guatemala City.

"I have had the opportunity to contribute to radiologic and medical education in my country, America and other continents, and at the same time enjoy friendship and support from many colleagues around the world," Dr. Arredondo said.

Dr. Arredondo received his medical degree from the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala. Afterwards, he completed his postgraduate residency at Roosevelt Hospital in Guatemala and his radiology residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. He returned to Guatemala in 1980 and became the director of the new radiology residency program at Francisco Marroquin University in Guatemala City. The four-year program has trained more than 50 radiologists from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Dr. Arredondo has been president of the InterAmerican College of Radiology (CIR) and presided over the 20th InterAmerican Congress of Radiology and 21st International Congress of Radiology held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2000.

As CIR president, Dr. Arredondo convened regional meetings of radiology in less developed regions of Central and South America and the Caribbean. Supported by radiology organizations in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Spain, congresses have been realized every year since 2000, often in association with the RSNA Visiting Professor program.

Byung Ihn Choi, M.D., Ph.D.

Byung Ihn Choi, M.D., Ph.D., is a passionate ultrasound expert who is devoted to promoting international cooperation in the subspecialty.

"The recent growth of imaging science in the Pacific Rim has been remarkable, and certainly one of the most important contributors to that growth has been Dr. Choi," said RSNA President R. Gilbert Jost, M.D.

An RSNA member since 1986 and a member of the RSNA International Advisory Committee, Dr. Choi has aided RSNA in assessing the impact of its research and education programs and has guided promotion of RSNA international membership.

Dr. Choi expressed his pleasure at receiving this honorary membership from RSNA and embraced the idea of global cooperation and community in radiology.

"I believe that international collaboration between RSNA and the Korean, Asian and Oceanian radiology societies will be wider and stronger," he said.

After receiving his medical degree in 1974 from the College of Medicine at Seoul National University, Dr. Choi completed a rotating internship at Seoul National University Hospital. He received his doctorate in 1983.

Dr. Choi was radiologist-in-chief, major, at the Capital Armed Forces Hospital for three years while serving in the Korean Army. From 1998 to 2002, Dr. Choi served as director of the Office of Education and Research at Seoul National University Hospital. He was then chair of the Department of Radiology from 2004 to 2006.

Dr. Choi has served as president of the organizing committee of the 11th Congress of the World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology and also served as president of the Korean Society of Ultrasound in Medicine. He is currently president of the 12th Asian Oceanian Congress of Radiology and secretary of the 1st Asian Congress of Abdominal Radiology. He is also president of the Korean Radiological Society and Asian Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology.

Christian J. Herold, M.D.

Christian J. Herold, M.D., has earned a reputation for championing young researchers and clinicians. Having learned from his own mentors early in his distinguished career as a chest radiology researcher, Dr. Herold is dedicated to passing his wisdom on to a new generation.

"Dr. Herold is bright, enthusiastic and instantly likeable," said RSNA President R. Gilbert Jost, M.D. "He is internationally recognized as an outstanding ambassador for the European radiology community."

An RSNA member since 1990, Dr. Herold is chair of the International Advisory Committee and a member of the Committee on International Relations and Education.

"As a longtime member of RSNA, I am very grateful to receive this exquisite honor from an organization which I hold in the highest esteem," Dr. Herold said. "RSNA helped me to learn, mature and grow professionally, and to orient myself towards outstanding science, education and mentorship. As an honorary member, I will strive to actively support RSNA's noble goals wherever and whenever I can."

Trained as a general practitioner at the University of Vienna School of Medicine, he was impressed by modern medical imaging during clinical work at Weinviertel Clinic in Mistelbach, Austria, and decided to become a radiologist.

As 2006-2007 president of the European Congress of Radiology (ECR), Dr. Herold oversaw ECR 2007 in Vienna. In his opening address, Dr. Herold implored the elder of these practitioners to reach out to the younger, noting, "We need to increase our efforts to teach our young colleagues to think, learn and perform internationally."

Dr. Herold has also chaired other international congresses, served as president of the European Society of Thoracic Imaging and Fleischner Society, and is president-elect of the International Society for Strategic Studies in Radiology.

Dr. Herold is currently the director of diagnostic and pediatric radiology at the Medical University of Vienna (formerly the University of Vienna School of Medicine) in Austria and director of international relations and chief executive officer of the university's newly established company dealing with international hospital operations.

Dr. Herold maintains a part-time faculty appointment at The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and has served as visiting professor at the University of Cambridge, England, Stanford University in California, the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and New York University.

Note: Copies of RSNA 2007 news releases and electronic images will be available online at RSNA.org/press07 beginning Monday, Nov. 26.

RSNA is an association of more than 41,000 radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists committed to excellence in patient care through education and research. The Society is based in Oak Brook, Ill. (RSNA.org)