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 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.