RSNA Press Release

CHICAGO–Today the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) conferred its highest honor, the Gold Medal, upon R. Gilbert Jost, M.D., William W. Olmsted, M.D., and Stephen R. Thomas, Ph.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.

R. Gilbert Jost, M.D. A globally recognized leader in computer applications in radiology and informatics, 2007 RSNA President R. Gilbert Jost, M.D., played a critical visionary role in guiding the specialty into the digital age decades before electronic health records had been conceptualized.

An equally renowned clinical diagnostic radiologist, Dr. Jost has devoted his career to using information technology to improve and serve diagnostic radiology and the specialty overall. He continues to stress the importance of understanding and harnessing the power of information technology in maintaining the strength—and future—of the profession.

"I can't say enough about what Dr. Jost has done for our Society," said 2012 RSNA President George S. Bisset III, M.D. "As a junior Board member, I watched him navigate issues in a thoughtful, considerate and collaborative way. His constant focus on the is¬sue at hand and his dedication to arriving at a consensus solu¬tion epitomize what I would characterize as leadership. Dr. Jost clearly deserves our highest award, and while we recognize his many past accomplishments, we are also confident that he will continue to contribute to the RSNA in the future."

"Working with the RSNA has certainly been one of the most en¬joyable and rewarding aspects of my career, and I consider it to be an extraordinary honor to receive this award from this great organization," Dr. Jost said.

Dr. Jost quickly found his niche as a radiology resident at Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology (MIR) in Saint Louis, Mo., in 1972, moving from diagnostic chief resident in 1974 to faculty instructor in 1975. He spent the duration of his career at MIR, where he currently serves as the Elizabeth Mallinckrodt Profes¬sor of Radiology and chair of the Radiology Department for Washington Uni¬versity School of Medicine and director of MIR.

Dr. Jost's career dovetailed with the birth of the computer age in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He graduated from Harvard Uni¬versity in 1964 and earned his medical doctor degree at Yale Uni-versity Medical School in 1969. While pursuing neurophysiology research at Yale, he accepted a fellowship to investigate medical computer applications at the university's medical and engineering schools, sparking a lifelong interest in technology.

At MIR, Dr. Jost was instrumental in designing and building the institute's radiology information system in 1975—one of the first anywhere at that time. Two years later, Dr. Jost began serving on the American College of Radiology Committee on Comput¬ers and in 1980 was a founding member of the Radiology Infor¬mation System Consortium (RISC), which he later chaired. RISC evolved into the Society for Computer Applications in Radiology (SCAR) and later the Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine.

An RSNA member since 1973, Dr. Jost served on the RSNA Board of Directors from 1999 to 2007. His other RSNA appointments included service on the RSNA Research & Education Foundation Board of Trustees from 2005 to 2010.

Dr. Jost has authored more than 120 scientific articles, proceed¬ings or book chapters, many dealing with the use of information technology in diagnostic radiology. A recipient of many honors, Dr. Jost was named an Inaugural Fellow of SCAR in 2000 and received honorary membership in the European Society of Radi¬ology in 2008.

William W. Olmsted, M.D.
When he took the helm of RadioGraphics in 1990, William W. Olmsted, M.D., was determined to build on the publication's solid beginnings and make it the premier education journal in diag¬nostic radiology. When he stepped down at the end of 2011, Dr. Olmsted had not only realized that goal, but also had taken RadioGraphics in exciting new directions that laid the groundwork for future success.

"Dr. Olmsted has played a vital leadership role in education at the RSNA for 23 years," said 2012 RSNA President George S. Bis¬set III, M.D. "His contributions to our entire educational program, in addition to his critical role as editor of RadioGraphics, establish a sturdy foundation upon which we can build. Dr. Olmsted will undoubtedly have a lasting effect on our Society and, from a per¬sonal perspective, personifies our Gold Medal award."

"This honor is given not only to an individual but also to so many people who work with that individual and support him to allow him to succeed," Dr. Olmsted said. "I thank my wife and fam-ily, mentors, fellow editors and editorial boards, and RSNA staff. This is an honor they should take enjoyment from as well."

Dr. Olmsted currently serves as a staff radiologist at the Balti¬more Veterans Administration Hospital and clinical professor of diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore.

Dr. Olmsted began his medical career at Marquette University School of Medicine and the University of Rochester School of Medicine, earning his medical degree in 1968. Dr. Olmsted com¬pleted his residency in diagnostic radiology and pursued a neuro¬radiology fellowship at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he also obtained his master's degree in medical physics during the period when Leo G. Rigler, M.D., was program director.

His lifelong passion for education began while serving in the U.S. Air Force as chief of the Gastrointestinal and Neurological Radio¬logic Pathology Branches at the Armed Forces Institute of Pa¬thology (AFIP) from 1973 to 1976. With the support and guidance of Elias G. Theros, M.D., Dr. Olmsted developed his interests in ra¬diologic pathology and radiology education.

After spending a decade as director of the Division of Diagnostic Radiology at the George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, D.C., Dr. Olmsted stepped down to become the editor of RadioGraphics in 1990, taking the reins from journal founder William J. Tuddenham, M.D., who had overseen the publication since 1981.

Dr. Olmsted's contributions to RSNA have not been limited to RadioGraphics. From 1999 to 2009, he served as RSNA Educa¬tion Editor, assuming responsibility for educational materials and projects outside of RSNA annual meetings. Earlier this year, as a tribute to his significant contributions, the RSNA Board of Direc¬tors approved renaming RSNA's trainee editorial fellowship the RSNA William W. Olmsted Editorial Fellowship for Trainees, be¬ginning in 2013.

Dr. Olmsted's work with other professional organizations in¬cludes service as president of the Society of Gastrointestinal Ra¬diologists in 2001. He was named the AFIP Department of Ra-diologic Pathology's first Distinguished Scientist in 1985.

A prolific speaker, Dr. Olmsted has crisscrossed the globe giv¬ing visiting lectures and has taught approximately 100 continuing education courses. He has also authored more than 70 publica¬tions, chapters and exhibits.

Stephen R. Thomas, Ph.D.
For Stephen R. Thomas, Ph.D., achieving excellence in his work in diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine has never been enough—he has always sought to expand and share his knowledge and experience by volunteering with societies and mentoring students.

"It is so gratifying to see Steve Thomas receive the Gold Medal," said 2012 RSNA President George S. Bisset III, M.D. "Over the last several decades, he has enthusiastically and tirelessly trained countless residents (including myself) in radiologic physics. His passion for life, his commitment to research, his devotion to his family and career and his dedication to the RSNA make Dr. Thomas an obvious choice for this award."

"I want to express my appreciation to the RSNA for this tremen¬dous honor accorded to me," Dr. Thomas said. "This recogni¬tion represents an absolute highlight of my professional career in radiology and, specifically, the discipline of medical physics. It has been my great pleasure to have worked with the leadership, staff and committees of the RSNA for many years. I have con¬sidered it a privilege to have been able to contribute to the many functions and activities advanced by the RSNA on behalf of our profession."

Dr. Thomas is a professor emeritus of radiology and medical physics at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. He re¬ceived his bachelor's degree in physics from Williams College in Williamstown, Mass., and his master's and doctorate degrees in physics from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.

An RSNA member since 1992, Dr. Thomas has served extensive¬ly with the RSNA Research & Education (R&E) Foundation. While a member of the R&E Foundation Board of Trustees from 2000 to 2006, Dr. Thomas started the Exhibitors Circle program aimed at attracting smaller annual meeting exhibitors as contributors to the Foundation. He currently serves as chair of the R&E Fund Development Committee and is also a member of the RSNA Centennial Committee. Dr. Thomas co-chaired the RSNA Scientific Program Committee from 1987 to 1992 and served as third vice president of RSNA in 1994.

Dr. Thomas ushered the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) into the MR imaging era by founding and chairing the Task Group on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. He has received the William D. Coolidge Award from AAPM and the Loevinger-Berman Award from the Society of Nuclear Medicine (now the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging).

Principal or co–principal investigator on more than 20 grants, Dr. Thomas has authored more than 100 publications and edited six books and 20 book chapters.

Note: Copies of RSNA 2012 news releases and electronic images will be available online at RSNA.org/press12 beginning Monday, Nov. 26.

RSNA is an association of more than 50,000 radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists, promoting excellence in patient care and health care delivery through education, research and technologic innovation. The Society is based in Oak Brook, Ill. (RSNA.org)