Newswise — WASHINGTON, DC (May 29, 2018) — The American College of Radiology Foundation (ACRF) presented its 2018 Global Humanitarian Award to Michael T. Nelson, MD, FACR, of Minnetonka, MN. The award, honoring Dr. Nelson’s global impact of radiology services, was announced at the recent ACR 2018 Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.

Dr. Nelson has trained more than 100 assistant medical officers (AMO) and radiology residents in Tanzania over a 25-year period. He served on the East Africa Medical Assistance Foundation (EAMAF) and the Foundation for Cancer Care Boards in Tanzania. He helped bring a comprehensive cancer center to northern Tanzania where deaths due to cancer currently outpace AIDS, malaria and TB combined. Nelson spearheaded a 4-year effort to raise funding and coordinate efforts with local and national governments, the Atomic Energy Commission, multiple hospitals and fundraising sources to fund the cancer center. Dr. Nelson/EAMAF provide radiology residents from KCMC with portable ultrasound units.

“Dr. Nelson has worked enthusiastically to improve access to quality radiological services in Tanzania. He has undoubtedly helped save and extend countless lives,” said Howard B. Fleishon, MD, MMM, FACR, chair of the ACR Foundation Executive Committee and vice chair of the American College of Radiology Board of Chancellors. “By recognizing such incredible volunteer efforts, the ACR Foundation hopes to raise awareness and honor those involved in similar initiatives in underserved areas around the globe,” added Fleishon.

Visit the ACR Foundation webpage to learn more about its international outreach program.

To speak with an ACR Foundation representative, please contact Shawn Farley at 703-648-8936 or [email protected].

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About the ACR Foundation

The mission of the ACR Foundation is to advance health policy research that focuses on the critical role that radiologists serve in team-based health care, develops evidence to clarify the role and value of radiology in new payment and delivery systems, and demonstrates the importance of early disease detection in population health management. To make a gift or pledge to the ACR Foundation, visit acrfoundation.org

About the American College of Radiology The American College of Radiology (ACR), founded in 1924, is a professional medical society dedicated to serving patients and society by empowering radiology professionals to advance the practice, science and professions of radiological care.