Harvey L. Neiman, MD, ACR CEO, dead at 71
Longtime CEO of the ACR, Harvey L. Neiman, M.D., F.A.C.R., died at 71 after a long illness. Neiman will be remembered as a great leader who transformed the ACR from an insular medical society into a thriving, outward-looking professional organization well prepared to meet the needs of patients and the specialty in the 21st century.
He also oversaw multiple initiatives that made medical imaging more consistently safe for patients in the U.S. Under Neiman’s watch, the ACR co-founded the Image Wisely® and Image Gently® initiatives to increase awareness of radiation safety in medical imaging; introduced the Dose Index Registry as well as other nationwide registries; and successfully lobbied Congress to require accreditation of freestanding diagnostic imaging facilities.
Neiman also made significant contributions to the clinical and continuing education needs of radiologists. When the Walter Reed Army Medical Center closed, Neiman founded the American Institute for Radiologic Pathology (AIRP®), so that the highly regarded radiologic pathology correlation course offered by the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology would be available to future generations of residents.
In addition to making arrangements for his own succession plan with the recent appointment of William T. Thorwarth, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.R. as ACR’s CEO, Neiman invested in leadership training to prepare the next generation of leaders in radiology and medicine by forming the Radiology Leadership Institute®.
“Dr. Neiman was a visionary,” said James A. Brink, MD, FACR, vice chair of the American College of Radiology Board of Chancellors. “The initiatives undertaken by ACR during his time as CEO undoubtedly enabled dramatic improvements in patient care.”
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be sent to the Harvey L. Neiman Molecular Imaging Fund.
Vice President, Executive Editor, Radiology Business
Cheryl began her career in journalism when Wite-Out was a relatively new technology. During the past 16 years, she has covered radiology and followed developments in healthcare policy. She holds a BA in History from the University of Delaware and likes nothing better than a good story, well told.