American College of Radiology (ACR) CEO William T. Thorwarth Jr., MD, FACR, is planning to retire on June 30, 2024, after 10 years leading the association.
“ACR member volunteers, staff and I have worked tirelessly to keep the College positioned to ensure advancing technology, regulation, payment structures, quality assurance and research ultimately help radiologists provide ever-improved, accessible care,” says William T. Thorwarth Jr., MD, FACR, CEO of the ACR. “ACR membership has grown to 42,000, and the ACR is consistently named among America’s Great Places to Work. I have had the opportunity to work with multiple incredibly dedicated and visionary leaders and am proud of all that we continue to accomplish together.”
During his tenure, Thorwarth guided the ACR through the COVID-19 pandemic—overseeing the creation and distribution of resources to help members and their practices:
- Better care for COVID patients (including imaging diagnosis and provider/staff safety).
- Survive the pandemic economic impact (70% of radiology practices enabled to apply for federal aid).
- Resume care following 2020 shutdown of non-urgent care (including lung and breast cancer screening).
- Take part in research to prepare medicine for future pandemics.
The ACR cofounded the Radiology Health Equity Coalition on Thorwarth’s watch to collect, assess and disseminate resources and best practices, advocate for and connect with patients and community members in underserved communities, and collaborate on programs and services to improve imaging access and utilization.
He oversaw the launch of the ACR Data Science Institute (DSI) to work with industry, government, patients, and others to guide the development and implementation of artificial intelligence applications to help radiologists improve care.
“Dr. Thorwarth is an outstanding and widely respected leader,” says Jacqueline A. Bello, MD, FACR, chair of the ACR Board of Chancellors. “He cares deeply about patients, the ACR, radiology and quality healthcare. We are fortunate to have such an accomplished CEO to help radiology navigate the shifting medical landscape. I congratulate him on a job well done and wish him the best moving forward.”
Prior to becoming CEO in 2014, Thorwarth served as ACR president, chair of the ACR Economics Commission and a member of the ACR Board of Chancellors. He was honored with the ACR Gold Medal in 2010. The William T. Thorwarth, Jr., MD, Award, which honors ACR members and staff who demonstrate excellence in economics and health policy, is named after him.
The ACR e has secured a search firm and is in the process of assembling a committee to identify and bring Thorwarth’s successor on board next year.
“As we enter a new healthcare era, it is vital that the next CEO possesses the tremendous skills, abilities and experience of their illustrious predecessors,” says Bello. “As we celebrate the ACR centennial, the search committee and ACR leaders will secure a new CEO with the qualities and capabilities to lead ACR into the seminal days of the next 100 years.”
