Ruth Carlos, MD, MS, FACR, to Join Columbia Radiology
Ruth Carlos, MD, MS, FACR, will join the Department of Radiology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (VP&S) in the Division of Abdominal Imaging on October 14, 2024.
At Columbia, Dr. Carlos will take on two roles as Associate Chair of Research Faculty Development for the department and Director of Research in Outcomes and Care Delivery in the newly formed Center for Innovation in Imaging Biomarkers and Integrated Diagnostics (CIMBID). She will mentor the next generation of radiologists and radiology leaders, drawing on her renowned reputation for mentoring early-career professionals, particularly those from underrepresented communities. At CIMBID, Dr. Carlos will spearhead initiatives exploring the intersection of social determinants of health and disease prognosis using artificial intelligence and imaging, as well as developing robust pathways for translating AI advancements into clinical practice.
Ajay Gupta, MD, MS, professor of radiology and chair of the Department of Radiology at VP&S, expressed enthusiasm about the appointment: “Dr. Carlos is an incredibly accomplished academic radiologist, having made many contributions to our field over her already distinguished career. We are thrilled to welcome her to Columbia Radiology where she is poised to make a major impact across the Columbia University community."
Dr. Carlos is a distinguished leader in the field of radiology, and her career is marked by pioneering achievements. Dr. Carlos became the first woman editor-in-chief of a major radiology journal, the Journal of the American College of Radiology (JACR), which guides the management and practice of radiology as the flagship publication for the ACR. Dr. Carlos has held several prestigious leadership positions that have shaped the direction of radiology research and practice. She has served as president of the American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS), the Association of University Radiologists (AUR), and the Radiology Alliance for Health Services Research in Radiology. Carlos currently chairs the GE AUR Research Radiology Academic Fellowship (GERRAF), a national program supporting early-stage investigators in health services research and care delivery. Her influence extends to national policy, evidenced by her role as co-chair of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Care Delivery Research (CCDR) Development Committee, and she lends her expertise in as a thought leader to the National Academy of Medicine, the National Quality Forum, and the Joint Commission. Her wealth of expertise spans health services research and policy, health equity and structural racism. Most recently, her work has focused on social genomics, the negative biological effects of social and economic marginalization and imaging biomarkers. Dr. Carlos aims to inspire further visionary work at Columbia.
“Columbia University is the ideal environment to expand our vision for deep understanding of social genomics and health outcomes to enhance the health of our communities,” said Dr. Carlos.
Dr. Carlos's contributions to the field have garnered numerous accolades, reflecting the depth and impact of her work. She has been honored with the Distinguished Educator Award from the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), the Gold Medal from the Association of University Radiologists (AUR), and the Stanford Medicine X Research Challenge Grand Prize. She is an elected fellow of both the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Society of Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance (SCBT-MR). Moreover, Dr. Carlos has been recognized for her research by induction into the Academy of Radiology Research Council of Distinguished Investigators, awarded to a select group of investigators who have demonstrated a sustained track record of excellence in imaging research.
Dr. Carlos was born in Manila, the Philippines, and immigrated to the United States at the age of 12. She received her medical degree from the University of Chicago, where she also completed her diagnostic radiology residency. She then completed an abdominal imaging fellowship at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, after which she joined the faculty and has stayed on until her current position as professor of radiology and assistant chair for clinical research. She also holds a master’s degree from the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan.
As Dr. Carlos prepares to join VP&S, the Department of Radiology anticipates the valuable insights and transformative leadership she will bring. Her appointment is set to further solidify Columbia's position at the forefront of radiological research, education, and clinical practice, promising advancements that will shape the future of the field.