Radiologist, radiation oncologist elected to National Academy of Medicine
A radiologist and radiation oncologist were recently elected to the National Academy of Medicine—one of the highest honors in the healthcare profession.
The independent, nonprofit—which provides objective advice on health policy—has picked Pamela K. Woodard, MD, and David G. Kirsch, MD, PhD, for the prestigious designation. They’re among 90 regular and 10 international members elected during the National Academy of Medicine’s annual meeting, with the announcement made Monday.
“I am deeply honored to welcome these extraordinary health and medicine leaders and researchers into the National Academy of Medicine,” NAM President Victor J. Dzau, MD, said in a statement Oct. 20. “Their demonstrated excellence in tackling public health challenges, leading major discoveries, improving healthcare, advancing health policy, and addressing health equity will critically strengthen our collective ability to tackle the most pressing health challenges of our time.”
Current members elect new appointees through a process that recognizes individuals who have made major contributions to the advancement of medical sciences and public health. These newly elected individuals bring the academy’s total membership to more than 2,500, including over 200 international designees.
Dr. Woodard is a professor, director and head of the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. She’s being recognized for her leadership at the institute, in 2023 becoming the first woman to lead the program in its 110-year history. The institute is one of the largest academic radiology departments in the U.S., ranking third in National Institutes of Health funding.
WashU Medicine also highlighted the honor Tuesday, saying it reflects her distinguished career as a researcher and clinician. Woodard has helped reach major advancements in the development and clinical translation of cardiac imaging techniques, the school said. These have improved clinicians’ ability to diagnose and treat heart disease, with her dedication to radiology “inspiring the next generation of physician scientists in the field.”
“Dr. Woodard’s groundbreaking work in cardiothoracic imaging and her commitment to training radiologists have advanced imaging science and the practice of radiology in exceptional ways,” David H. Perlmutter, MD, dean of WashU Medicine, said in a statement Oct. 21. “Her election to the National Academy of Medicine is a well-deserved honor that reflects key contributions to improving patient care in the area of radiology.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Kirsch is a senior scientist, director and chair of radiation medicine at the Princess Margaret Cancer Center in Toronto. He’s also head of the Department of Radiation Oncology at University Health Network and a professor with the University of Toronto. The National Academy of Medicine is recognizing him for developing innovative, genetically engineered mouse models to elucidate biological mechanisms of sarcoma development, metastasis and response to radio and immunotherapy.
“He is an international expert in the treatment of sarcomas who translated research from his laboratory to clinicals trials that improved outcomes for sarcoma patients,” the academy noted in its announcement.
Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic.