OSUMC - Section of Interventional Radiology

Interventional radiology, also known as IR, is the medical specialty that uses imaging guidance to perform minimally invasive procedures.  The history of interventional radiology dates back to the early 20th century when pioneers in the field began experimenting with using x-rays to diagnose and treat various conditions.

In 1929, Werner Forssman, a surgical resident at the time, did a cutdown on himself and inserted a catheter into a vein of his arm and advanced it into the right atrium of his heart.  Because his superiors thought that his procedure was dangerous, he was heavily criticized but eventually his work was vindicated and in 1956 he got the Nobel price in Medicine. In 1953, Dr. Sven Seldinger published his ground breaking "over-the-wire" catheterization method. His method allowed the safe introduction of catheters in arteries and veins without a need for a cut-down. One of the key figures in the development of interventional radiology was Dr. Charles Dotter, who is often referred to as the "father of interventional radiology". In the 1960s, Dotter pioneered a technique that would later become known as angioplasty. In 1970, several interventional techniques, such as therapeutic embolizations, biopsies under image guidance and drainages and intravascular radiation therapy were described. in the following decades, advancements in imaging technology, such as ultrasound, Computed Tomography and MRI, further expanded interventional radiology's horizons.

William Molnar was born in Hungary and graduated from the University of Budapest in 1942.  From 1951 to 1954, he trained in Radiology at Boston University School of Medicine.  In 1955, he joined the faculty at the Ohio State University.  Dr. Molnar did the world's first bronchogram. 

Mike Van Aman received his M.D. from the OSUCM. He served as the director of the section of Angiography until 1992, at which time he joined the Department of Radiology at Mount Carmel Medical Center, where he served as its Chairman until his retirement in 2009.

Alfred Stockum was born in New Concord, Ohio in 1928 and passed at the OSU Hospital in 2013.  He received his BS degree at Mount Union College and his MD from Ohio State University in 1954. His Radiology residency was at The Ohio State University Hospital.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.  He practised diagnostic angiography during his long career.  He was an Associate Professor and was granted the title of Professor Emeritus when he retired. His caring and kind nature made him liked by all who met him.

Hooman Khabiri was born in Tehran, Iran. He received his MD from the Ohio State College of Medicine in 1990. He did an internship at Riverside Methodist Hospital in 1991, and completed a residency in Radiology at the Ohio State Hospital in 1995.  Dr. Khabiri did a fellowship in Interventional Radiology in Medical College of Wisconsin in 1996.  Upon completion of his Fellowship, he joined the OSU staff at the rank of Assistant Professor in the section of Interventional Radiology.  Hooman brought his youthful enthusiasm and expertise in our section.

Stephen Jung received his MD from OSUCM in 1990 and completed his radiology in our department in 1995.  He did a fellowship in Interventional Radiology in Medical College of Wisconsin in 1996.  Upon the completion of his fellowship; he joined the staff at OSU Radiology in the section of Interventional Radiology. Steve joined the Mount Carmel group.  He is in practice for more than twenty years.

Pablo Gamboa was born in Córdoba, Argentina and was raised in Cúcuta, Colombia.  He received his MD from the Medical School Pontifica Bolivariana University, Medellín, Colombia in 1989. His Radiology Residency was at Valle University, Cali, Colombia, 1990-1993. He also trained in Radiology at the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1999.  He did two Fellowships in Interventional Radiology; first at Louisiana State University, New Orleans, LA under Wilfrido Castañeda-Zuñiga; and the University of Minnesota under David Hunter and Kurt Amplatz.  Dr. Gamboa passed the American Board of Radiology in 1999 and Interventional Radiology in 2001. He was hired as an Assistant Professor in 1999 and was the Director, of Interventional Radiology until 2005.  He received the Teacher of the Year award in 2003. He is now a member of Riverside Radiology and Interventional Associates since 2005.  Pablo is an exceptional interventional radiologist and also a beacon of positivity and warmth. His affable nature and unwavering optimism makes him a joy to be around.

Ali Rikabi graduated from the University of Bagdad, Iraq in 1982.  He completed an Internship at Riverside Methodist Hospital (1997-1998).  His Radiology Residency was at the Department of Radiology at the Ohio State University (1998-2002). He is certified in both Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology. After completing his fellowship he was hired as an Assistant Professor.  He is certified in both Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology.  Dr. Rikabi was known for performing complex procedures such as transcatheter chemoembolization and Yttrium-90 radioembolization for cancer therapy. He is recognized for his compassionate patient care and collaborative approach with his peers.  He worked as an Interventional Radiologist for nearly 25 years until his retirement in 2026, at which time he was bestowed with the title of Professor Emeritus.

Dimitrios Spigos was born in Athens, Greece. He graduated from the University of Athens in 1967. His Radiology Residency was at the University of Illinois Hospital Chicago (1971-1975). When he graduated, he was appointed Chief of Angiography and Interventional Radiology.  During his tenure at the University of Illinois, he became known for describing of how to perform biopsies of renal transplants, and native kidneys in both adults and children under ultrasound guidance. He also performed intra-operative diagnostic ultrasound for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. He performed intra-arterial chemotherapy with Yttrium-90 in patients with colon cancer. Finally, he performed the first Partial Splenic Embolization, a procedure that bears his name in the textbook of Willfrido Castañeda Zuñiga. In 1986, he was appointed Chairman of Radiology at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, and in 1992, he became Chairman of Radiology at the Ohio State University.

This post is dedicated to Drs. Alfred Stockum, Hooman Khabiri, Steven Jung, Pablo Gamboa, Ali Rikabi, Greg Guy, Ricardo Barboza, and Kannan Natarajan. I am truly grateful to all their hard work and great times we shared along the way. They made my work as the Department Chairman at Ohio State Medical Center interesting and pleasant.

OSUMC - Section of Musculosceletal Imaging

Musculosceletal imaging is the branch of radiology that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries affecting the bones, joints and muscles of the body. This type of imaging is essential for identifying a wide range of conditions, including fractures, arthritis, and tumors.

The history of musculoskeletal imaging dates back to 1885 when Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen discovered the x-rays.  The first medical image was the hand of his wife, clearly revealing her bones, and a ring. It instantly revolutionized the diagnosis of fractures, and created the specialty of musculoskeletal imaging.  Over the years, advancements in imaging technology have greatly improved the quality and accuracy of the musculoskeletal studies.  

In 1970's Computed Tomography (CT) provided cross-sectional views. allowing radiologists to see complex bone structures.  In the 1980's Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) revolutionized the field by enabling detailed visualization of muscles, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. Each  imaging modality has its own strengths and limitations, making it important for radiologists to choose the most appropriate study.

In addition to helping diagnose musculoskeletal conditions, imaging studies are also used to monitor treatment progress and guide interventions such as injections and/or surgeries.  Radiologists trained in musculoskeletal imaging a crucial role in interpreting these studies, and by providing accurate diagnoses guide patients' care. 

Dr. Joseph S. Yu was born in San Paulo, Brazil. His undergraduate studies were at the Ohio State University (1979-1983).  He received his MD degree from the Ohio State College of Medicine in 1987. His internship was at East Carolina University College of Medicine, Greenville, NC.  His residency was in the Department of Radiology at OSU from 1988 to 1992. Upon the completion of his residency and board certification, he did a fellowship in Musculoskeletal Imaging at the University of San Diego, CA (1992-1993). Dr. Yu returned to OSU and established the section of Musculoskeletal Imaging which during his tenure grew to national and international prominence. Dr. Yu was a prolific writer, having published more than 131 papers in refereed journals and more than 43 book chapters. His academic output exceeded that of any other member in our department, leading to his promotion in 1994 to the rank of Professor of Radiology and Orthopedic Surgery. In addition, he served as the Vice Chair, overseeing educational processes for medical students, resident, and fellows and from January 2009 to August 2010, he held the position of Interim Chair of the Department of Radiology.

Dr. Marcella Dardani received her DO degree from the University of New England, Biddeford, ME, in 1985. She did an internship at Firelands Regional Medical Center GME in Sandusky, OH and a residency in Radiology at Doctors Hospital in Columbus, OH from 1986 to 1989.  She did a Fellowship in Body Imaging from 1990-1991.  She was certified by the American Board of Radiology in 1995. She has published five articles in referee journals focusing on the use of conventional and advanced imaging such as MRI of the musculoskeletal system.  Dr. Dardani is an Assistant Professor of Radiology and her passion is teaching residents in the area of her expertise, the musculoskeletal system.

Alan Rogers, received his MD degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 2002.  His internship was at the Ascension Saint Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, ID.   His Radiology residency was at the Ohio State Department of Radiology from 7/1/2003 to 6/30/2007. He was certified by the American Board of Radiology on 6/6/2007. Upon completing his residency he did a Fellowship in Musculoskeletal Imaging at OSUMC from 7/1/2007 to 6/30/2008.  Dr. Rogers is known for his expert interpretation of radiographs, and advanced imaging studies such as CT and MRI of the musculoskeletal system. He has published 16 articles in referee journals.  He also performs minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, such as joint injections and biopsies.  Alan was one of the best residents in our department; the patients he serves are fortunate that he elected to stay as an attending.

This post is dedicated to al Radiology residents, fellows, and attendings who have provided expert and compassionate care to patients at the Ohio State Medical Center, since 1943, when the department was founded by                               Professor Hugh Means.

OSUMC Radiology - Section of Abdominal Imaging

 The evolution of abdominal imaging progressed from basic x-rays to highly detailed, functional, and real time visualizations.  In the late 1800s and early 1900s, abdominal imaging relied on plain radiographs, which could detect bowel obstruction, free air, calcifications and some foreign bodies, but had limited soft-tissue detail. Starting in the mid-1900s, barium allowed for better visualization of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small and large bowel. Additionally, intravenous pyelography improved visualization of the urinary system.  In the 1960s, ultrasound, a radiation free modality, became useful for the detection of gallbladder disease, liver pathology, ascites, hydronephrosis, and became the primary diagnostic modality in obstetrical imaging. In the mid-1970s and onward, computed tomography (CT) revolutionised abdominal imaging by provided cross-sectional detail.  It became the key tool for trauma, appendicitis, pancreatitis, staging for malignancies, and vascular disease. In the 1880s and onward, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offered superior tissue imaging without ionising radiation.  It was found to be useful for lesions of the liver, biliary tree, and for imaging of the pancreas an organ which is difficult to image.  In the 1990s, CT angiography, CT and MR enterography, and image-guided biopsies and drainages expanded both diagnosis and treatment. Recently Virtual Colonoscopy, a less invasive method is used to check for cancer of the colon and has been added to the diagnostic armamentarium.

James Bova was born in 1947 in Cincinnati, OH.  Soon after graduating for medical school in Des Moines, Iowa, he joined the Army to complete his medical training, allowing his family to live in many cities across the United States.  Jim, who was the chief of abdominal imaging, retired in 2007 after 22 years of service as an Associate Professor of Radiology. When he retired, he and his wife Kathy moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. Jim was a talented musician, having played the banjo for many years.  He was staunch supporter of equal rights for all, and his compassion for others led him to form deep relationships with those around him. Jim passed peacefully in 2023.

William Bennett was born in Ohio and received his MD degree from Ohio State in 1977. He completed a transitional year at BrooK Army Medical Center at Fort Sam in Houston, Texas in 1978, followed by a residency in Radiology from 1978 to 1981.  He then pursued a fellowship in Diagnostic Imaging at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC from July 1, 1981 to June 30, 1982.  Following his fellowship, he joined the Department of Radiology at Ohio State as an Assistant Professor.  He became an Associate Professor based on his contributions in digital imaging and teleradiology.  Our department was likely the first to connect with a rural hospital in Barnesville, OH and provide consultations to the single practicing radiologist.  Dr. Bennett practiced for more than 30 years at OSU. Bill enjoyed teaching residents and fellows, many of whom remember him fondly.

Chris Lee was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea and graduated Yonsei University Medical College in 1965.  He did his radiology residency at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington DC and did a fellowship at OSU Medical Center from 1968 to 1970.  After the completion of his training he joined Columbus Radiology Corp. After retiring from the group, he joined the staff of the Department of Radiology at the abdominal section and retired after 9 years in 2013.  The residents and fellows learned from interacting with an experienced radiologist and he enjoyed working with many good residents.  After he retired Chris stayed in Columbus and spends his time traveling and playing golf.

During my years as the Chairman we had three fellows in the abdominal section, Drs. Kenneth Vitellas, Kaldeep Vaswani and Ghassan Hammami.  Dr. Vitellas did his residency at OSUMC and did a year of fellowship at the University of North Carolina. Ken joined the Mount Carmel Group of Radiology and has been in practice for nearly 30 years.  Dr. Kuldeep Vaswani received his MD in 1992.  He did a residency in Diagnostic Radiology between 1994 to 1997.  Kuldeep is currently affiliated with many hospitals in Columbus and is practicing for more than 20 years. Dr. Ghassan Hammami was born in Damascus, Syria.  He received his MD from the University of Aleppo Medical School in 1979.  He completed his residency in Diagnostic Radiology at Cook County Hospital in Chicago in 1995.  His fellowship was in abdominal and musculoskeletal imaging in 1995-1996.  Upon graduation, he practiced for a year in Logan, WV before starting his own practice in McAllen, TX where he performs CTs, MRIs and other imaging procedures. I visited Ghassan in McAllen and met his wife and their two daughters who followed their father's example - one is a medical student and the other is a Ph.D. student in Psychology. 

This post is dedicated to Dr. William Bennett.  Throughout his long career, countless patients have benefited from his accurate diagnoses.  Many residents and fellows fondly remember their time with him. He treated everyone with respect and selflessly taught them, no matter how long it took for them to learn.  During my years at OSU, Bill was a friend and a respected colleague.  I recently had the pleasure of meeting Bill and his wife Pat when they took a vacation in Greece.  Walking with them the        streets of Athens was a most pleasant experience.

OSUMC Radiology - Section of Breast Imaging

Breast Imaging has undergone significant advancements over the past century, that made for an early detection and treatment of breast cancer. Robert Egan in 1956 at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, combined a technique of low kVp and high mA and single emulsion films as a method of detecting calcifications in breast tissue, confirming breast cancers. The 1970s marked the widespread adoption of screen-film mammography, enhancing image clarity, and diagnostic accuracy.  In the same decade xeromammography introduced a dry imaging process, offering improved image quality and contrast compared to traditional methods. In the 1980s, breast ultrasound offered a non-invasive, radiation-free method which was particularly useful for assessing dense breasts or distinguishing between solid and cystic masses.  Late in 1980 dedicated stereotactic devices were developed for biopsy purposes.  In the early units the patient was in a sitting position while later the patient was prone.  A metallic marker was left in place for wire localization if it was needed later. MRI became a valuable tool in the 1990s, providing high-resolution images and functional information, aiding in detecting and characterizing breast lesions.  In the early 2000s, digital mammography replaced analog film, allowing for electronic image storage and manipulation, thereby improving diagnostic capabilities.  In 2010s Digital Breast Tomosynthesis or 3D mammography, provided three-dimensional imaging, reducing tissue overlap and enhancing detection especially in dense breasts. Contrast enhanced mammography is a method that highlights tumor vascularity and it is less expensive than breast MRI.  Molecular breast imaging is a nuclear medicine technique that detects metabolically active lesions. These advances made Breast Imaging and Interventions a distinct subspecialty in Diagnostic Radiology departments.

Lucy Freedy was born in the small town of Conway, North Carolina. She was one of the first women that was admitted to and graduated from Wake Forest College in North Carolina. Her dream was to become a medical doctor. After several unsuccessful attempts, she was admitted to Duke University Medical School.  She graduated and received her MD degree in 1957.  Her academic marks ranked her 2nd in her graduating class of 88 students.  When I became Chairman of the department I was impressed by Lucy's willingness to work in any section additional manpower was needed and her passion for breast imaging.  In addition to clinical duties she was willing to pass her knowledge to residents and medical students.  One of my best decisions was that I appointed Dr. Freedy as my Vice Chair during my tenure from 1992 to 2004.  She offered me advise when it was needed as I was the newcomer and later I enjoyed working with her in our breast section.  After many years of hard work she spent her retirement years in her beloved south in Clearwater Florida.  Lucy sadly passed on March 27, 2026 in her sleep at the age of 97. 

Michele McCorvey was born in Luverne a small rural town in Alabama. Luverne is located to the south of Montgomery a pivotal city of the American Civil Rights movement famously know as the birthplace of the 1955-56 Bus Boycott sparked by Rosa Parks.  Dr. McCorvey did her undergraduate studies at Yale University and she received her MD degree from Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University. She did her internship at Thomas Jefferson and her residency in Diagnostic Radiology at Hahnemann now Drexel University Medical Center and the George Washington University Medical Center from 1998 to 2002.  Her Fellowship on Breast Imaging and Intervention and Cross Sectional Imaging was at the George Washington University Medical Center in 7/2002-6/2003. When she joined OSU she was appointed as an Assistant Professor and was appointed as an Associate Professor of Clinical Radiology at the University of Texas in 2014. She is currently employed by Virtual Radiology Corporation (vRad), a Radiology Partners (RP) Company (9/2015 - present).  Michelle's two years tenure with us significantly enhanced the quality of care we provided to our patients. Although her time at OSU was brief, her impact was big.  When she moved to University of Texas San Antonio, the distance did not diminish our bond. We stayed in close contact, often visiting with her during breast meetings in Texas, cherishing the moments we shared and the lasting connections we built.

John Olsen was born in Brooklyn, NY, in 1943.  He completed his internship at D.C. General Hospital on the Georgetown Medical Service and his residency in Radiology at the University of Chicago in 1973.  After graduation, he served in the Army for two years and then practiced in Glen Cove, NY.  In 1976, he was hired as an Assistant Professor at the Ohio State and worked as a general radiologist. He was involved in breast imaging since 1977 when OSU acquired a Siemens Mammomat the first dedicated breast imaging platform that adopted low dose film. At the time most of mammography was done with standard x-ray equipment and industrial film requiring large doses of radiation and correctly Dr. Sydney Nelson, Radiology's Chairman considered unsafe.  The department at OSU was the first in Ohio to use low dose and to have a platform designed for breast imaging.  Dr. Olsen assisted in Nuclear Medicine, and in 1979 became the Acting Director and the the Director until 2006. In the early years and until the section of Breast Imaging was established mammograms were interpreted in Nuclear Medicine where breast surgeons like Dr. William Farrar and the legendary Dr. James brought cases to Dr. Olsen for consultation.  The department was among the first that adapted to the emerging technique of digital mammography in Central Ohio but long after two other health systems in a small Ohio town, Lima did. All referrals to Dr. Farrar from the Lima hospitals impressed him and suggested to two philanthropists Abigail Wexner and John Wolfe's wife to buy a digital unit for us and they did. When we moved to the outpatient breast center in Dublin, Dr. Olsen was the chief of mammography. I learned from him how to do stereotactic biopsies with the patients in prone position which made the procedure more comfortable and less frightening to the patients. They were many things I learned from Dr. Olsen.  The most important was the way he was interacting with the patients. He took time to sit with each patient, carefully listening to their concerns, answering questions, and addressing their fears with compassion and understanding. It was not only the patients but the breast surgeons recognized Dr. Olsen's knowledge and consulted with him on difficult cases.  Dr. Olsen was a doctor's doctor.  John has now retired in Columbus, Ohio.

Dimitrios Spigos, as my curriculum vitae appears in prior posts, I will mention only key dates.  I graduated from the University of Athens in 1967.  I spent the next three years in the Greek Navy. My residency was at the University of Illinois in Chicago.  When I graduated in 1975, I was appointed chief of Angiography and Interventional Radiology in our department.  During my tenure at the University of Illinois, I became known for the description of how to perform renal biopsies under ultrasound guidance and the performance of splenic embolisation.  In 1986, I was appointed Chairman of Radiology at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, and in 1992 I became Chairman of Radiology at the Ohio State Hospital.  In the first years at OSU I worked with Dr. Al Stockum a wonderful human being and an exceptional angiographer.  When the work in Breast Imaging increased, I joined Drs. Freedy and Olsen reviewing initially screening mammograms with the residents and doing biopsies under ultrasound guidance. As MRI became more popular, I spend most of my time reporting MRI studies and performing biopsies under MR guidance.  

Our outpatient unit in Dublin was unique, as breast surgeons and radiologists worked under one roof. Drs William Farrar, Doreen Agnese, Lisa Yee, William Burak, Steve Povoski, William Carson, and we, the radiologists, cooperated closely with the goal of delivering the highest quality care to the patients.

This post is dedicated to my colleague and friend John Olsen.  John and I were born in the closing days of WWII, he in New York and I in Athens - two great cities, one on the west coast of the Atlantic and the other on the Mediterranean.  We both did our radiology residencies in Chicago, and upon completion, he moved to Ohio while I stayed in Illinois.  We met when I joined the department of Radiology at the Ohio State University.  There are many tributes that someone can admire about John.  He sought the continuous advancement in his chosen fields - Nuclear Medicine and Breast Imaging and he fostered close cooperation with colleagues in surgery and      oncology having as a sole aim the benefit of his patients.

OSUMC Radiology; Section of Chest Imaging

Chest imaging has undergone significant advancements since the discovery of X-rays in 1895. Initially, chest radiographs were the primary tool for diagnosing thoracic abnormalities such as pneumonias, cardiomegaly and pneumothorax.  Over time, the modality evolved, and a new era started with the introduction of Computed Tomography (CT). CT scans offered superior spatial resolution, enabling precise assessment of lung parenchyma, blood vessels, and airways. This advancement significantly improved the detection and characterization of various pulmonary conditions, including pulmonary embolism and interstitial lung disease.

Charles Mueller was born in Dayton, Ohio in 1936.  He attended University of Cincinnati where he earned his undergraduate and medical degrees.  Charles stayed and completed his radiology residency at the University of Cincinnati when the legendary Ben Felson was the Chairman.  Upon completion of his training he practiced radiology at Wright Patterson Air Force base.  He then moved and practiced radiology to New Mexico for 6 years.  Upon his return to his native Ohio he was hired as the program Director of Diagnostic Radiology at the Ohio State University. During his tenure at OSU, Charlie served in numerous leadership roles in our department.  In addition to being the director of the Residency, he started our Thoracic Fellowship program.  He was a pioneer in the field of Emergency Radiology and was a founding member of the Society of Emergency Radiology (ASER).  He served as its third President from 1992 to 1993.  In 1974, he served as the Interim Chair of Radiology and once again in 1991-1992.  Dr. Mueller left a lasting influence of excellence in the practice of radiology and the education of medical students, residents and fellows.

Jerome Cunningham received his B.S. in Chemistry with honors and his M.D. from the University of Florida. He served two years in the U.S. Navy. His training in Diagnostic Radiology was at Stanford University where he was a National Institute of Health Fellow and Chief Resident.  He was then hired as Assistant Professor of Radiology at Wake Forest University and later taught and did research at the University of Rochester and the Medical College of Georgia.  He worked in the chest and ultrasound sections and he retired after serving as Professor of Radiology at the Ohio State University.  After his retirement, he became an avid volunteer in the Columbus community.  He received volunteer awards from the OSUMC, WOSU Public Media, and the Nature Conservancy. 

Mark King received his M.D. degree from the Ohio State University College of Medicine in 1986.  He did his internship at the University of Miami/Jackson Health System in 1987 and his residency in Radiology at the Ohio State Hospital in 1998-1992.  His Fellowship was in Cardiac Imaging at the University of California (San Diego) in 1992-1993.  He returned to OSU and was hired as an Assistant Professor.  He became the Director of our Residency Program and several initiatives were implemented during his tenure.  He published several papers in referee journals about emphysema, HIV lung disease and high resolution computed tomography of the chest. Dr. King recently retired as Professor Emeritus.

Anthimos John Christoforidis was born in 1923 in Sille, near Iconio, in Asia Minor.  He received his M.D. degree from the University of Athens where he graduated first in his class in 1949.  He did his Radiology residency training at the Ohio State in 1953.  He was a respected and well-published educator with numerous textbooks and journal articles. He chaired three departments of radiology; the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the Medical College of Ohio and Ohio State University.  He directed the first cancer hospital in Greece and was inducted into the Academy of Athens in 1990.  He retired for Ohio State in 2007 after serving the University, its students and patients for 54 years.

I am dedicating this post to Dr. Charles Mueller, whose mentorship, transformed our residency program highly sought after as medical students across the Nation recognized that an experienced and compassionate leader was at the helm, ensuring a nurturing and educational environment.  His contributions inspire and guide us in our pursuit of excellence in patient care and education.

OSUMC Radiology Section of Neuroradiology

The section of Neuroradiology at the Ohio State Medical Center has a long history of leadership and innovation in diagnostic imaging of the neurologic system, using the first MRI in Ohio and the first ultra-high-field (8 Tesla) MRI in the world.  The section offers expertise in all aspects of Computed Tomography, diagnostic MRI including perfusion, diffusion tension imaging and spectroscopy.  It also performs interventional procedures in the brain and guided biopsies of the spine and vertebroplasty.

Donald Chakeres who was the chief of the section was born in Columbus, Ohio.  He received his BA degree in Chemistry from Capital University in Columbus in 1972, and his MD degree from Ohio State University in 1975.  He did an internship at Riverside Methodist in Columbus in 1972, and his residency in Radiology at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Hanover, New Hampshire ending in 1978. His Neuroradiology fellowship was at the University of Oregon Health Science Center in Portland Oregon in 1979.  He returned to Dartmouth Medical Center as an Instructor and he was then appointed the Head of Neuroradiology at the University of Texas in San Antonio as an Associate Professor until 1985.  From 1985 to 2019 he was the Head of Neuroradiology at the Ohio State University Medical Center where the department acquired the second 1.5 Tesla General Electric MRI system in the country.  He was also the director of the 8 Tesla Research Group.  The 8T group led the world in high field MRI for a number of years and established the safety data related to high field MRI that are still utilized. He wrote a book with Petra Schmalbrock and more than 100 papers with many collaborators. He was the President of the American Head and Neck Society. He was also on many Executive Committees of National and International Organizations including the American Society of Neuroradiology and the International Society of Head and Neck Radiology.  He was on the Editorial Boards of many journals including, Radiology, Journal of the American Society of Radiology, and Neuroradiology.  He also began an interest in basic physics and has published a number of papers in that field. He retired in 2019 as a Professor Emeritus. 

Gregory Christoforidis received his medical degree from Ohio State University in 1990.  He did an internship at Mount Carmel Medical Center in 1991 and his residency at the Ohio State University from 1992 to 1995.  He did fellowships in Neuroradiology at Henry Ford in 1997 and the     USZ-Universitats Spital Zurich in 1998. He is board certified in Diagnostic Radiology.  He has expertise in interventional neuroradiology (neuroendovascular surgery), and diagnostic neuroradiology of the brain, head , neck and spine.  He is skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with acute stroke, aneurysms, arteriovenous fistulas, arteriovenous malformations and other vascular lesions. Dr. Christoforidis has extensive experience with minimally invasive diagnostic and surgical procedures, including thrombolysis, embolectomy, embolisation, aneurysm treatment, AVM treatment, sclerotherapy, spinal augmentation, spinal injections and transcutaneous pain treatment, biopsies, angioplasty, and stenting in the head, neck and spine.  His research focuses on endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke.  He is investigating the formation of collateral vessels in the leptomeningeal tissue surrounding the brain and its role in the acute ischemic stroke.

Eric Bourekas was born in Warren, Ohio.  He did his undergraduate studies in Biochemistry at the Ohio State, and he received his MD degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 1989.  He completed a residency at UPMC Mercy in Pittsburgh, PA, in 1993 and a fellowship in Neuroradiology at the University Hospitals of Cleveland/Case Western in 1995 and fellowship in Interventional Neuroradiology in 1998 at the Cleveland Clinic. He is board-certified by the American Board of Radiology and Neuroradiology.  I hired Eric when I was the Chairman of Radiology and have known him both professionally and personally.  His contributions to Radiology have been immense.  His contributions in the clinical and research aspects of spinal pathology, spinal tumors, and neuroimaging are nationally recognised. He has served as Vice Chair of Radiology/Clinical Operations and Chief of Neuroradiology at OSUMC.  Dr. Bourekas is now the Chief of Staff, a position to which he was elected by his peers at the medical center a recognition of his advocacy for physicians in all departments, and the first radiologist to hold this position. He has served in many positions including President of Faculty Staff Council for the Medical Center and Senator in the Ohio State University Senate.  He has been a recipient of many teaching awards, and he was recently recognized as a Master Clinician by The Mazzaferri-Ellison Society, an Honorary Society which recognizes outstanding clinicians who excel in clinical practice, teaching, mentoring/role modeling, professionalism, leadership and service to the profession and the OSU Medical Center.  He has also received an Honorary Recognition at the University of West Attica in Athens Greece for his contributions to medicine at large. 

This post if dedicated to Dr. Lucy Freedy, who served as the Vice-Chair of the Department of Radiology during my tenure as the Chairman from 1992-2004.  Lucy was a hard working attending who genuinely cared about the education of the students and residents and also for providing exemplary care to our patients.  Her specialty was breast imaging, but she selflessly contributed wherever the department needed support.  Lucy's dedication and compassion made a lasting impact on all members at the medical center.  Lucy died on March 27, 2026 in her sleep. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all of us who had the privilege of knowing and working with her.

Radiology Department History at The Ohio State University

Wilhelm Röntgen discovered x-rays in 1895, and soon after in 1986, Thomas Edison developed the first fluoroscope.  These advancements marked the beginning of medical imaging.  Radiology's timeline has several key milestones such as the introduction of film in 1918, ultrasound in 1955, computed tomography in 1967, and MRI in 1972.

The Department of Radiology at the The Ohio State University has a long history of leadership in imaging.  In the early years it was likely a division of the Department of Surgery.  It formally appeared as a distinct department in the College of Medicine in 1947. 

The first Radiology Chairman was Dr. Hugh Means who took office in 1947, when the department began offering electives to medical students.

A towering figure in the department was Dr. William G. Myers, a pioneer in Nuclear Medicine.  He was known as the "godfather of cyclotron", and he introduced 11 radioisotopes including cobalt-60 for the treatment of cancer.  In 1952, he introduced Gold-198 for permanent brachytherapy seed implantation, contributing to his legacy as a leader in radioactive isotope applications in medicine.

In the 60s Dr. Sidney W. Nelson became the Chairman. He was a prominent radiologist recognized nationally, holding positions such as President of the Association of University Radiologist in 1965-66, and being was an examiner of the American Board of Radiology. A milestone for the department was that it hosted the 16th annual meeting of the Association of University Radiologists in 1968. Progress in the department continued when Dr. A Feimanis, A J Christoforidis and D. G. Spigos were Department Chairmen and Dr. Reinhard Gahbauer, Dr. John Olsen, and Dr. Charles Mueller were Division heads.  Their contributions will be discussed in future posts. 

The 1980s, the 1990s and the early years of the new century it was a period of technological advancements.  The department continued to lead in neuroimaging bringing the first 1.5T MRI in Ohio which was a precursor to the development of the first ultra-high-field 8 Tesla MRI unit in the world. It also was leader in ultrasound and interventional radiology, nuclear medicine and radiation oncology.  In the 1994 and the department was transformed from a film based to a film-less after the introduction of digital imaging and PACS (picture archiving and communication software), first within the department, the intensive care units and the ED. Another important development was the offer of tele-radiology service to rural hospitals.  

This post is dedicated to Drs. Meyers and Nelson, whose hard work and innovations served as the cornerstones for the department's growth in the                                     decades that followed.