President’s Address
A Matter of Perspective: Putting a New Lens on Our Patient Interactions
An expert in the field of breast imaging, Valerie P. Jackson, MD, is the executive director of the American Board of Radiology (ABR), a position she has held since 2014. She previously served on ABR’s board of trustees from 2001 to 2010.
In her President’s Address, Dr. Jackson will discuss the importance of meaningful interaction between radiologists and their patients. A variety of new developments, such as value-based care, team-based delivery models and the rise of artificial intelligence, each in their own way, contribute to a growing imperative for radiologists to connect more directly with patients.
“It is in our best interests as radiologists to forge new, more beneficial relationships with those we serve,” Dr. Jackson said. “The key to progress is in changing our perspectives and approaches - toward patients, referring physicians and our own profession - and reimagining new ways of working together.”
After earning her medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine, Dr. Jackson completed her residency at the Indiana University Medical Center in 1982. She is the Eugene C. Klatte Professor Emeritus and has held numerous academic appointments at Indiana University School of Medicine over the years, including lecturer, professor and chair of the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences.
Dr. Jackson has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and 20 books and book chapters with an emphasis on breast imaging and radiologic education. She has served as principal investigator on numerous funded grants, including several focused on radiologic education. Dr. Jackson has been a course director and presenter at the RSNA Faculty Development Workshop and is a highly regarded lecturer and educator, having given more than 320 scientific and educational presentations at meetings worldwide.
Dr. Jackson has served as a manuscript reviewer for numerous journals including American Journal of Roentgenology, Journal of the American College of Radiology, Investigative Radiology, Medical Physics, Academic Medicine and Radiology, where she served as associate editor on the editorial board from 1989 to 1998, and as consultant to the editor in 1999.
An RSNA member since 1982, Dr. Jackson has served the Society in numerous roles, including chair of the Refresher Course Committee from 2009 to 2012 and chair of the Breast Imaging Subcommittee of the Scientific Program Committee from 2003 to 2006. She was a member of the Public Information Advisors Network from 1997 to 2017, and a member of the RSNA News Editorial Board from 2005 to 2008. She served RSNA as first vice president from 2008 to 2009 and was a member of the RSNA Centennial Committee. Dr. Jackson has been active on many committees of the RSNA Research & Education (R&E) Foundation and served on the R&E Foundation Board of Trustees from 2009 to 2015. She joined the RSNA Board of Directors in 2012 and served as president-elect in 2018.
Widely respected in the field, Dr. Jackson has held committee or leadership positions in a number of radiologic organizations, including the Indiana Radiological Society (IRS), American Roentgen Ray Society, Association of University Radiologists, Radiology Research Alliance, Academy of Radiology Research, Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) and the American College of Radiology (ACR).
The recipient of numerous honors throughout her career, Dr. Jackson is a fellow of the ACR and has received the gold medals of the IRS, SBI and ACR. The Valerie P. Jackson Education Fellowship also recognizes her work with ACR. Dr. Jackson delivered the Annual Oration in Diagnostic Radiology at RSNA 2002.