Longtime American College of Radiology (ACR) CEO Dr. Harvey Neiman has died after a long illness, ACR said today. Neiman, 71, dedicated his life to improving medical care, and under his leadership, ACR grew to become one of the world's most powerful medical specialty societies, according to the organization.
Dr. Harvey Neiman."ACR members and staff, the radiology community, and organized medicine have lost a dear friend and colleague, exceptional leader, mentor and luminary," said Dr. Bibb Allen Jr., chair of the ACR Board of Chancellors, in a statement.
Neiman led the organization in its cofounding of the Image Wisely and Image Gently programs to raise awareness about dose reduction opportunities. He also stewarded the development of the college's Dose Index Registry to help practices track and optimize radiation dose, a network that is interlinked across the U.S. to monitor national dose-optimization efforts, ACR said.
Similarly, the ACR Education Center was Neiman's idea to help train physicians in advanced medical imaging and image-guidance techniques, ACR said. Neiman was also closely involved with the Journal of the American College of Radiology and the annual ACR forum, the organization said.
In addition, Neiman led the creation of the American Institute for Radiologic Pathology, which took over the functions of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology after Walter Reed Army Medical Center closed, safeguarding accumulated knowledge in radiology and benefiting current and future residents.
More recently, Neiman directed the formation of the Radiology Leadership Institute, which offers radiologists business and leadership training to improve their administration and leadership skills in today's rapidly evolving healthcare environment, ACR said.
Among several other awards, Neiman recently received the prestigious Béclère medal, the International Society of Radiology's highest honor.
Neiman was recently succeeded by Dr. William Thorwarth Jr. as ACR's CEO.
