William Herrington elected ACR president, plus more news from the college’s 2023 annual meeting

William T. Herrington, MD, was elected as the American College of Radiology’s new president during the organization’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C., which concluded on Wednesday, May 10.

A diagnostic specialist with Athens Radiology Associates in Georgia, Herrington also served in the same role for the state’s imaging society. His resumé includes stints as speaker of the ACR Council, chair of the Commission on Membership and Communications, and head of the Task Force on Brand Strategy.

“Dr. Herrington is an inspiring and untiring leader who has served with distinction in his multiple ACR and professional roles,” William T. Thorwarth Jr., MD, chief executive of the college, said in a May 8 announcement. “We look forward to his continued exemplary leadership in his role as ACR president.”

In other leadership moves:

• Don Yoo, MD, director of nuclear medicine at the Miriam Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island, was named vice president of the ACR.
• Timothy A. Crummy, MD, associate medical director of SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, was elected as council speaker.
• And Kurt A. Schoppe, MD, president of Radiology Associates of North Texas in Dallas, was appointed ACR Council vice speaker.

Newly elected leaders assumed their roles at the conclusion of the meeting on May 10. You can find a full rundown of those elected—including chancellors and members of the Council Steering Committee—here.    

Silva receives Thorwarth Award

Ezequiel Silva III, MD, with the South Texas Radiology Group, received the 2023 William T. Thorwarth Jr., MD, Award on May 9.

First established in 2004, the recognition is meant to honor those who display “outstanding contributions” to the field of health policy and economics for radiology. Silva was the first radiologist to serve as chair of the American Medical Association’s Specialty Society Relative Value Scale Update Committee. He has been a “leading voice” for safe and effective healthcare, ACR said in an announcement, both before and after the pandemic. Silva is a past chair of the Commission on Economics and has written 70 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, among many other accomplishments.

“As a nationally recognized expert in healthcare economics and an exemplary physician, he is a fantastic choice to receive this award,” Thorwarth said in a May 9 announcement.

Leadership awards

The Radiology Leadership Institute named Norman J. Beauchamp Jr., MD, Arl Van Moore Jr., MD, and Lawrence R. Muroff, MD, as its 2023 Leadership Luminary Award recipients. The honor recognizes individuals for their exceptional lifetime achievements, innovation, leadership and service to radiology or radiation oncology.

“Over their professional careers, Drs. Beauchamp, Moore and Muroff have demonstrated the highest level of leadership, bringing great distinction and honor to the field of radiology,” Frank J. Lexa, MD, MBA, ACR Radiology Leadership Institute chief medical officer and vice chair, said in a May 6 announcement. “Radiology has benefitted greatly from these extraordinary leaders and their remarkable achievements.”

You can read more about the recipients—along with winners of the RLI Impact In Leadership Award and scholarship recipients—here.

Advocacy recognition

Alex Podlaski, MD, received the Radiology Advocacy Network Advocate of the Year Award at ACR 2023. He has served in leadership roles both for the network and with the college’s political action committee, RADPAC.

“Dr. Podlaski has an impressive track record in recruiting residents and young physicians to support the college’s advocacy activities,” ACR said in a May 10 news update.

New brand unveiled

ACR celebrated its 100-year anniversary with the unveiling of a new branding strategy, including an updated logo. The college plans to roll out the campaign in the coming weeks, centered around the theme of “Focused. Forward. Together.”

“ACR’s growth over the past several years, and increasing involvement of our younger members, has served as a catalyst for the new branding,” Neil Lall, MD, chair of the Brand Refresh Committee, said in a May 7 announcement. “The committee, ACR leadership and staff have worked tirelessly over the last 18 months to bring this to life, and we are pleased to have a brand that represents the College’s vision.”

Centennial Gala

And finally, the ACR held a Centennial Gala on May 6 to celebrate its 100-year anniversary, with more than 800 members attending the event.

The college highlighted achievements from its long history while noting that it now has 42,000 members, up from 20 at its founding.

“ACR member leaders, volunteers and staff continue to work together to strengthen radiology practice and science,” Catherine Everett, MD, MBA, co-chair of the ACR Centennial Steering Committee, said in a May 7 news item. “We look forward to being at the heart of advancements to improve health equity, quality, delivery and patient outcomes in the next 100 years.”