Reston, Va. — Carl R. Bogardus, Jr., MD, FACR, Professor, Clinical Director and Vice Chairman of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Oklahoma University Medical Center, has been awarded the American College of Radiology (ACR) Gold Medal for outstanding achievement. The presentation recently took place at a formal convocation ceremony at ACR 2015 – the all-new ACR annual meeting in Washington, DC.
The ACR Board of Chancellors Chair Dr. Bibb Allen said, “Dr. Bogardus’ contributions and decades of service in the field are well known. Few physicians have been as impactful on radiation oncology as he has. It was an honor to present him with this award.”
Dr. Bogardus describes his introduction to radiation oncology as love at first sight. The specialty combines two of his passions: physics and patient care. From teaching to private practice, business to consulting, Bogardus’s interests and abilities range widely. In more than 48 years of membership and service to the ACR, he has held numerous positions, culminating in service on the Board of Chancellors (1985–1992), serving as secretary (1987–1991) and president (1991–1992). He is one of the only individuals to serve as president of ASTRO and the ACR simultaneously. Bogardus is adamant that the ACR shaped his career and insists many of his accomplishments would have not been possible without the College.
Alongside his ACR service, Bogardus has devoted most of his career to developing the Radiation Oncology Coding and Nomenclature System, which he hopes will be his most lasting contribution. In 2000, he started ONCOCHART electronic medical record system, now one of the primary software programs used for management, documentation, charge capture and compliance in radiation oncology. Additionally, he has authored 65 articles and eight textbook chapters and has developed several other software programs specific to radiation oncology and billing.
Friends and colleagues describe Bogardus as always willing to explain difficult concepts with kindness and patience. Michael L. Steinberg, MD, FACR, offers, “No other individual in the history of radiation oncology has had more influence on the process of care for radiation oncology patients than Dr. Bogardus.” Of being awarded the Gold Medal, Bogardus says, “It is a huge, huge achievement and honor. There is no other way to describe it.”
Since 1927, the award has been presented to 168 diagnostic radiologists, radiation oncologists and physicists who have attained notable stature in the specialty of radiology. These awards are presented each year at the ACR Convocation.