No honor is sweeter than recognition by one’s peers, and that is precisely what happened in late May when Robert Epstein, MD, and William Keyes, MD, became fellows of the American College of Radiology during the annual meeting.

Fellowship is an honor received by a slim 10% of radiologists and granted based on a radiologist’s contributions to the College, organized radiology, teaching, and/or research. The list of past recipients includes many luminary names, including SR CEO and chair Arl Van Moore, MD, FACR.

“It was great to see two distinguished leaders within the Strategic Radiology coalition honored at the ACR meeting with the degree of Fellow in the American College of Radiology," observed Dr. Moore. “They have worked hard to build their practices and support the specialty and seeing them recognized for their accomplishments was terrific.” 

Dr. Epstein is a member of the Strategic Radiology Board of Managers and chairman of the board of UniversityRadiology, New Brunswick, NJ, since 2013. He served a 10-year term as practice president prior to that. A hybrid community/academic practice, University Radiology serves as the academic radiology faculty at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, where Dr Epstein, a practicing musculoskeletal radiologist, is clinical associate professor of radiology and orthopedics.

Since 1998, he has held the positions of Director of MRI for medical students, Director of MRI & Musculoskeletal Education for radiology residents, Director of Orthopedic Radiology Elective for orthopedic residents, and Director for Radiology Component of Sports Medicine Fellowship Program. He also has authored numerous papers and book chapters.

Dr. Epstein identified his decision to become associated with a large subspecialized, quality-focused radiology practice as the defining moment in a career path that led to his recent honor. “While reading individual patient films is the core of all of our practices, my partners have always supported our broader mission of education, academic research, and service to local and national radiology organizations,” he said.

When asked to name his proudest career achievement, Dr. Epstein said: “I am most proud of the quality and breadth of the practice we have built and the excellent care we provide all of our patients.”

SR Quality Lead

Dr. Keyes is a practicing neuroradiologist and has served as an elected member of Strategic Radiology’s governing Executive Committee since 2009, when Inland Imaging, Spokane, Wash., became a founding member of the coalition. Keyes serves as Chair of SR’s Quality Committee and has been an active participant in and contributor to SR’s twice-annual Quality Forums.

He served as the Medical Director of the Neuroscience Service Line for Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center from 1999–2017 and recently completed a term as president of its medical staff. Currently, he serves as Chair of Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center’s Professional Practice Evaluation Committee and is an active participant on several other hospital committees. Dr. Keyes is past president of the Western Neuroradiological Society and an active board member of Inland Imaging Investments, Inc., having served as its president from 2007 through 2010. He currently chairs Inland Imaging’s Quality Committee.

When asked to reflect on receiving the degree of Fellow, Dr. Keyes emphasized the importance of advocacy on behalf of independent radiology on a national scale. “Through activities with Strategic Radiology, I’ve become acutely aware of the benefits of organized radiology and the need for the preservation of the independent practice of radiology,” he said. "I am fortunate that my partners at Inland Imaging have chosen to contribute to that national voice.”