Cook County Hospital, which opened in 1857, used as a teaching hospital by Rush Medical School until the Civil War, when it transitioned to an army hospital. The new CCH was renamed John H. Stroger Jr., opened in December 2002, and is housed in a facility located adjacent to the old hospital building on Harrison Avenue.
Radiology at Cook County Hospital began in the early 20th century, following Wilhelm Rontgen's discovery of x-rays in 1895. As a major teaching hospital, Cook County quickly integrated radiographic imaging into its diagnostic and educational practices. Throughout the 20th century, the Radiology Department expanded its services and embraced new technologies.
The first radiologist at Cook County Hospital Dr. Hollis Potter, who received his MD degree from Rush Medical College in 1908. Dr. Potter was born in Wonewoc, Wisconsin in 1880. During his undergraduate years he became interested in the applications of x-rays in medicine. He was a pioneer in the field of radiology, recognising advantages as well as limitations of early x-ray technology. For example, only the largest and most dense objects, such as bullets, kidney stones, and dense bones could be reasonably visualised. He was selected to direct the X-Ray department at Presbyterian Hospital in 1906, and the Radiology department at Cook Count Hospital in 1908. He was the President of Chicago Roentgen Society, (later the Chicago Radiological Society), in 1913 and in 1923 he was awarded the gold medals of the Radiological Society of North America, the American Roentgen Ray Society and the American College of Radiology. If my memory serves me correctly Dr. Potter's portrait was on the east wall of our conference room.
The first Chairman in the modern era was Dr. Leon Love who was born in New York City in 1923 and graduated from Chicago Medical School in 1946. He completed his radiology residency at the Hospital for Joint Diseases and Bellevue Hospital and was certified by the American Board Radiology in 1951. After residency, he served in the U.S. army from 1952 to 1954. Dr. Love then he returned to Chicago and joined the Radiology Department of CCH in 1956. In 1961, he was appointed director of diagnostic radiology a position he held until 1969. During his residency he dedicated his efforts to the department and its residency program. He recruited Dr. Rogelio Moncada who was an outstanding teacher and residents from other programs used to come and attend his conferences. Dr. Love was awarded the Gold Medal from the Chicago Radiological Society in 1988. His academic output included numerous published articles in referee journals. After retiring from Loyola he continued teaching at Chicago Medical School into his 85th year. It was Dr. Love who encourage me to apply for the Chairmanship at Cook County Hospital. I was lucky I followed his advice because my tenure at CCH was amongst the best periods of my life.
Dr. Glen Dobben, was born in Michigan City, ID in 1929. After graduating from Calvin College, he attended the medical school at Marquette University. Dr. Dobben, a distinguised radiologist, became Director of Radiology at Cook County Hospital in 1970 and was also an Associate Professor of Radiology at the University of Illinois in Chicago. Dr Dobben was recognized in Chicago and the United States for his expertise in the field. As residents, we had to make an appointment with Dr. Dobben in order to review neuroradiology films. This was due to his having a private practice in addition to being the head of neuroradiology for the U of I and working with Dr. Valvassori as well. He would go over each case explaining the anatomy and pathology so that we could report the films. Many of the cases we reviewed were pre & post-op films of craniofacial surgeries performed by a plastic surgeon from France on congenital malformations. One other case involved an uncle of an Orthopedic surgery resident, Dr. Dobben was able to diagnose a post-op brain abscess on plain skull films before the availability of CT. Dr. Dobben published several articles on the field of neuroradiology, his area of expertise. He was our teacher (1971-1974 UIC class of residents). The University of Illinois awarded him the title of Professor Emeritus when he retired, a recognition for his significant contribution to medical imaging and education.
Dr. Vivian J Harris, was a distinguished radiologist who served as the Chair of the Department of Radiology at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. She was also an Adjunct Professor of Radiology at the University of Illinois. Vivian Harris was born in New York City and got her medical degree from New York University in 1955. She did an internship in 1956 and was a resident. at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine between 1956 and 1958. She became the Chairman at CCH after Dr. Dobben retired. She was a known Pediatric Radiologist who had published extensively in medical journals. When became Chairman in 1986, I convinced her to stay as the Chief of the Division of Pediatric Radiology at Chidren's Hospital. The Chief of Pediatrics, Rosita Pildes, and Dr. Hernan Reyes, Chief of Pediatric Surgery, their residents and attendings enjoyed interacting with Dr. Harris on a daily basis.
Dr. Dimitrios Spigos, the author of this post, was born in Athens, Greece in 1943. He graduated from the Medical School of the University of Athens in 1967. After medical school he served in the Greek Navy medical corps until 1970. Upon his discharge, he did a one year internship at Mount Sinai hospital in Chicago. His radiology residency was at UIC from 1971-1974 and was certified by the American Board of Radiology in 1975. Following residency, he was appointed chief of angiography and interventional radiology at UIC. He progressed through the ranks of academia, becoming Assistant, Associate Professor, then Professor. He published 162 articles in referee journals, wrote 19 book chapters and posted 43 scientific exhibits in national meetings. During his UIC years, he introduced two procedures for which he became internationally known; first the splenic embolization and second kidney biopsies under ultrasound guidance. He became the Chair at CCH in 1986 and left in 1992 when he became the Chairman at the Ohio State University Hospital. During his tenure at CCH he introduced new imaging modalities such as MRI and Interventional Radiology. When he retired, the Ohio State University and the University of West Attica bestowed on him the title of Professor Emeritus. He returned to his native country Greece in 2010.
Brad Langer, was born in 1955 in Chicago. He received his medical degree from the University of Chicago and completed his Radiology Residency at the University of Illinois. Brad held many positions and was the most talented among staff. When I left in 1992, Brad became the Chairman of the Department and Acting Medical Director. Brad unfortunately died young t 2020.
Dr. Pisaneschi grew up in Bynedale Pennsylvania, pop 350, a small town in Northwest Central portion of the State After graduating High School, he went to the University of Notre Dame and received a Bachelor of Science in Preprofessional Studies. Then, he continued his studies at Temple University in Philadelphia for medical o school and subsequently to Cook County for his Radiology residency. He did an MRI fellowship at the University of Illinois. He spent three years in Buffalo New York in private practice with a group an academic group affiliated with the University of Buffalo. Dr. Langer recruited him in 1998 and Pisaneschi later became the director of the Division of Outpatient Imaging tenter attached to Fantus Clinic. During the time he worked with Dr. Langer and Dr. Dunne he helped in the planning of the new department for John Stroger Hospital. Stroger was the first all digital department in the city including voice recognition from day one when the new hospital opened in 2001. Later, he became Program Director for the residency and became System Chair in 2013. He retired in 2023 and is currently serving as a volunteer attending.
After Mark Pisaneschi retired in April 2023, Morlie Wang MD served as an interim chair from April 2023 until November 2023 when Chun Feng MD was appointed radiology's Chair. Dr. Feng completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign and earned her medical degree from Northwestern University. She completed a residency in Radiology and a fellowship in body imaging at Northwestern as well.
Dr. John Fitzpatrick was appointed interim chair when Dr. Harris stepped down and until Dr. Spigos became the Chair. Dr. Patrick Dunne was the interim chair when Dr. Brad Langer was the interim director. Patrick and Brad were close and hand in hand provided solid radiology services to the hospital/health system.
The post was authored by D.G. Spigos, MD and Al Zuska, MD who were residents in the class of 1971-1974 at the University of Illinois. Al was born in Chicago and lives in Chicagoland with his wife who was an x-ray tech. Their son Steve in Radiologist at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI.
This post is dedicated to all CCH Radiology Chairmen who for the past 6 decades, guided the department with diligence aiming to improve the care offered to the patients as well as resident education. It is also dedicated to the hundred of residents who also provided care while simultaneously learned our specialty. It has been a privilege for all of us to have served in this historic institution.
