Official Proceedings - AIUM

2013 AIUM Award WinnersJoseph H. Holmes Clinical Pioneer AwardThe Pioneer Award, which honors an individual who has significantly contributed to the growth and development of medicalultrasound, was established in 1977. This special award was renamed in 1982 to honor Joseph H. Holmes, MD, whodied that year. Dr Holmes, the first person named as an AIUM pioneer, was an important figure to both the field of diagnosticultrasound and the AIUM. His early efforts in ultrasound research, which included tissue characterization andultrasound’s diagnostic use in polycystic kidney disease and orthopedics, helped advance the field of ultrasound andencourage others to conduct new research. Serving the AIUM in many capacities, Dr Holmes was president from 1968 to1970 and was editor of the AIUM’s official journal, which was then titled the Journal of Clinical Ultrasound, for nearly 10years. Each year, the Joseph H. Holmes Pioneer Award honors 2 current or retired AIUM members, 1 in clinical science and1 in basic science.Peter H. Arger, MDIf we were to include only thecontributions he made while presidentof the American Institute ofUltrasound in Medicine (AIUM),Peter H. Arger, MD, would still bethe perfectly chosen recipient forthis award. During his tenure aspresident of the AIUM (1995–1997),Dr Arger oversaw changes andimprovements to this organizationand to the field of medical ultrasoundthat resonate to this day. Recognizing the enormouspotential for ultrasound in medicine but also aware thatfunding for research was limited, he spearheaded the establishmentof what is now the AIUM’s Endowment forEducation and Research, which has already allocated close tothree-quarters of a million dollars to ultrasound research andeducational endeavors. Dr Arger was also instrumental in thecreation of the AIUM’s ultrasound practice accreditation program.The 2000+ practices that have subsequently receivedaccreditation have demonstrated their commitment to thehighest quality patient care—a tribute to Dr Arger’s foresightand vision.While he was president, the AIUM held an innovativeleadership retreat to initiate a 5-year plan; built coalitionsand established liaisons with 27 ultrasound-related associationsto ensure the ability to take a proactive stance on legislationand to promote the best practices in diagnostic ultrasound,established the Distinguished Sonographer Award aswell as the New Investigator Award, conducted a conferencein which simultaneous Spanish translation was available,obtained a seat on the American Medical Association Houseof Delegates, and analyzed the entire operation of the Journalof Ultrasound in Medicine. That is just the tip of the icebergregarding the initiatives occurring under his leadership anddoesn’t begin to address his contributions to the AIUM bothbefore and after his tenure as president, through his hard workon almost every AIUM committee in existence. He undertookall these activities while serving as professor of radiology at theHospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where he is nowemeritus professor of radiology and concentrating on ultrasoundresearch and ultrasound training for residents.A graduate of Washington University in St Louis andthe University of Illinois Medical School, Dr Arger was a captainin the US Air Force before beginning his long history of awardsfor his research and his service to imaging associations, startingwith a certificate of merit for “An Approach to Orbital Lesions”from the American Roentgen Ray Society more than 30 yearsago to his most recent honor in 2011—the Gold MedallionAward—from the Pennsylvania Radiological Society.His many awards are a testament to his ongoingcommitment to imaging. He has served as principal investigatoron multiple major grants that addressed an enormouslybroad range of issues, such as mercury burden in dentists,staging of ovarian cancer, methods of giving contrast agents,evaluation of renal failure, and Doppler vascularity in breastcancer diagnosis. A well-published author with hundreds oforiginal papers to his credit, as well as abstracts, books,reviews, and chapters, Dr Arger’s passion for education is furthermanifested by the countless presentations he has givenand the outstanding courses he has directed.It’s not surprising that these incredible achievementswere completed by an exceptional clinician, what isremarkable is that they were completed by such a kind, softspoken,self-effacing human being who has earned the highestrespect and admiration from his colleagues, his students,his superiors, his subordinates, and association staff. He istruly the inveterate clinical pioneer.v