RSNA Announces New Endowment

Main Category: Radiology / Nuclear Medicine
Article Date: 14 Feb 2008 - 13:00 PDT

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Paul E. Berger, M.D., has donated $1.5 million to the Research and Education Foundation of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) to endow the Derek Harwood-Nash Scholar Grant. This donation represents the largest individual gift and first individual grant endowment in the 24-year history of the RSNA Research and Education Foundation.

The gift is a tribute to the late Derek Harwood-Nash, M.B., Ch.B., D.Sc., who founded the subspecialty of pediatric neuroradiology and spent his life sharing his passion and expertise with radiologists around the world. In honor of his influence on the international radiologic community, the Derek Harwood-Nash Scholar Grant will focus on opportunities for international educators and investigators.

"This will be the first scholar grant open to young academic radiologists outside North America," said Anne G. Osborn, M.D., chair of the RSNA Research and Education Foundation. "Derek Harwood-Nash's passion for his African homeland and his numerous friends and colleagues all over the world made him a roving ambassador for RSNA."

Dr. Berger, CEO and Chairman of the Board of NightHawk Radiology Services, headquartered in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, received his radiology training at the University of Michigan and completed a fellowship in pediatric neuroradiology under Dr. Harwood-Nash at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada.

Dr. Berger said that he is indebted to Dr. Harwood-Nash for guiding his way as a young radiologist. He hopes that this grant will add to the legacy of his beloved mentor and friend and allow young radiologists throughout the world the opportunity to learn and make discoveries that will keep radiology at the forefront of medicine.

"Many radiologists talk about 'giving back,' but Dr. Berger has truly 'walked the walk,'" Dr. Osborn said. "Honoring those who have trained us, mentored us and helped us along the way-there couldn't be a better way to give something back."

With Dr. Berger's gift, the RSNA Research and Education Foundation's Silver Anniversary Campaign has reached $10.5 million in contributions toward its goal of $15 million to fuel scientific innovation and enhance the practice of medical imaging.

Dr. Osborn noted that she hopes to expand RSNA's international grant portfolio to include resident and medical student grants.

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.

Radiological Society of North America

The RSNA Research and Education Foundation provides the research and development that keeps radiology in the forefront of medicine.

RSNA Research and Education Foundation