The 100-year-old American College of Radiology on Saturday named its first ever female chief executive officer. 

Dana H. Smetherman, MD, MBA, will assume the role July 1, taking over for the retiring William T. Thorwarth Jr., MD. Smetherman is currently chair of the Department of Radiology and associate director of medical specialties at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans.

Jacqueline A. Bello, MD, chair of the ACR Board of Chancellors, called Smetherman an “outstanding leader” with a “wealth of skills, abilities and experience.”

"It is an honor and a tremendous responsibility to be asked to lead this great organization and our profession through an ever-changing medical landscape,” Smetherman said in a Jan. 13 announcement. “I am excited to build on the strong ACR leadership tradition and work with ACR volunteers, members and staff to advance the radiology specialty.”

Smetherman also previously served on the board of directors at Louisiana’s largest nonprofit academic healthcare system and as past chair of both the ACR Breast Commission and Breast Imaging Economics Committee. She served as ACR councilor for the Bayou State and president of the Radiological Society of Louisiana, among various other local and national roles on her resume. Smetherman received her undergrad degree from Harvard and medical degree from Tulane University, completing her residency in diagnostic radiology at the Ochsner Clinic Foundation.

Thorwarth announced his planned retirement in May following a decade in the role.

“Dr. Smetherman has long worked to ensure patients have access to the highest-quality radiologic care,” Thorwarth said in the announcement. “I know she will continue to provide outstanding leadership for ACR on behalf of radiology professionals and those we serve.”

You can read more about Smetherman in this 2021 ACR profile.