Newswise — Washington, DC (May 17, 2016) — The American College of Radiology Foundation (ACRF) presented its individual Global Humanitarian Award to Kristen DeStigter, MD, FACR, of Burlington, VT and Peter Dross, MD, of Wilmington, DE. The World Federation of Pediatric Imaging and Rotary Club of Park Ridge, Ill., earned the group award. The awards, honoring the individuals’ and groups’ positive global impact of radiology services, were announced at ACR 2016—The Crossroads of Radiology®, which is being held May 15–19 in Washington, DC.
“These individuals and organizations are dedicated to helping those in underserved and developing areas of the world gain improved access to quality radiological services,” said Howard B. Fleishon, MD, MMM, FACR, chair of the ACR Foundation Executive Committee.
Kristen DeStigter, MD, FACR, is co-founder and president of Imaging the World, which created a new sustainable model for ultrasound imaging, making basic life-saving diagnosis accessible in the poorest regions of Africa. Since its founding, the program has successfully incorporated obstetric ultrasound examination into routine care at lower level health clinics in rural Uganda by training health workers to perform high-quality point-of-care ultrasound. DeStigter is the John P. and Kathryn H. Tampas Professor and interim chair of radiology at the University of Vermont/University of Vermont Medical Center, in Burlington, where she is an attending radiologist in the University of Vermont Medical Group.
Peter Dross, MD, is a radiologist and member of the board of directors for Serving at the Crossroads, which built, equipped and supports a medical clinic with diagnostic imaging services in La Entrada, Honduras. An attending physician in the radiology department at Christiana Care Hospital in Wilmington, DE, Dross also is a clinical assistant professor of radiology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. He has assisted in acquiring radiological equipment for the group and continues to provide on-site education and training to hospital staff.
The World Federation of Pediatric Imaging advances pediatric imaging education, provides training tools and impacts direct patient care by strengthening imaging initiatives. The federation was founded by the Society for Pediatric Radiology, Asian Oceanic Society, European Society of Paediatric Radiology and Latin American Society of Paedatric Radiology. The global advocate for pediatric imaging in low resource areas provides medical training and educational resources and has partnered with RAD-AID, Doctors Without Borders, the ACR Foundation and Imaging the World.
The Rotary Club of Park Ridge, Ill., started supporting radiology in 1999 by exploring the possibility of donating a World Health Imaging System for Radiology (WHIS-RAD) as a club project. The club has developed a reference manual, “Diagnostic Imaging in the Community,” and subsequently supported and raised funds for the installation of several WHIS-RAD systems in South America, Africa and Asia. Its members have engaged other Rotary International Clubs to support the need for diagnostic imaging systems in developing countries.
The ACR Foundation works with volunteer radiologists, organizations, industry representatives and radiology allied health workers to improve access to quality radiological services in low-income to middle-income countries. Visit the ACR Foundation’s webpage to learn more about its international outreach efforts.
About the American College of Radiology FoundationThe mission of the ACR Foundation (ACRF) is to promote radiology by soliciting, accepting and managing resources to advance the strategic initiatives of the American College of Radiology.
About the American College of RadiologyThe 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.
To arrange an interview with an ACR spokesperson, contact Maryann Verrillo at 703-390-9822 or email [email protected].
DNSACR Foundation Presents Global Humanitarian Awards at ACR 2016The American College of Radiology Foundation (ACRF) presented its Global Humanitarian Award to individuals and organizations who helped those in underserved and developing areas of the world gain improved access to quality radiological services. Learn more.
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