Endowed chair named for head of radiology
June 05, 2012 College News - The longest serving medical school department chairman in the country, James E. Youker, MD, of the Medical College of Wisconsin has been honored with the creation of an endowed chair in his name.
Through generous gifts from more than 130 individuals including alumni of the medical school, radiology residency and fellowship programs as well
as current and former faculty, the Medical College has established the James E. Youker, MD Chair in Radiology. Dr. Youker joined the Medical College faculty in 1968 as Professor and Chairman of Radiology, a position he has held since.
“I am truly honored and humbled by the many contributions received in the establishment of the James E. Youker, MD Chair in Radiology at the Medical College of Wisconsin,” Dr. Youker said. “It has been my great privilege to serve as Chairman of Radiology since September 1968. My greatest pride has been in the accomplishments and careers of all those who have trained and/or worked in the department. The establishment of the endowed chair will assure the continuation of the rich traditions of MCW Radiology in its mission to provide quality graduate medical education, patient care and research.”
The faculty leaders of the Steering Committee that marshaled support for the chair, Drs. William S. Rilling, MD, Professor of Radiology and Surgery and Director of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, and G. F. (Bill) Carrera, MD, Professor and Chief of Diagnostic Radiology, describe Dr. Youker’s commitment to the Medical College as nothing short of amazing.
“Through a time of increasing instability in medicine, Dr. Youker has guided our department for over 40 years, attaining a strong national reputation for clinical excellence and stability,” Dr. Rilling said. “Our residency program and fellowship positions are highly competitive, and the department is known nationally for excellence in postgraduate education. With the establishment of this chair, we can be certain that all future chairpersons will honor Dr. Youker through the James E. Youker Chair in Radiology. We are extremely grateful for the tremendous support we have received from the local and national radiology community in this endeavor.”
Dr. Youker has received gold medals—the highest accolade awarded by a medical specialty society—from four of the most influential radiology organizations in the world: the American College of Radiology, the American Roentgen Ray Society, the Radiological Society of North America and the Association of University Radiologists. He has served these organizations in various leadership capacities and was also President of the Society of Chairmen of Academic Radiology, Trustee of the American Board of Radiology, and President of the American Board of Medical Specialties.
From the Medical College of Wisconsin, Dr. Youker received the highest faculty honor, a Distinguished Service Award, in 1989. He was also named an Honorary Alumnus of the Medical College in 2008.
“Over the years, the Department of Radiology has graduated more than 350 radiology residents, fellows and instructors. As they find success in their respective careers, it reflects wonderfully on the reputation Dr. Youker has built for this department,” said Joseph E. Kerschner, MD, Dean of the Medical School and Executive Vice President of the Medical College. “This chair is a proper tribute to the dedication that Dr. Youker has shown to the College and his craft.”