SCCT names recipients of fourth annual Young Investigator Award

The Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT), the leading international professional society dedicated to research, education and clinical excellence in cardiovascular computed tomography (CT), has named Dr. Raman Dusaj and Dr. Thomas Smith the recipients of the fourth annual Young Investigator Award. The Young Investigator Award was announced at SCCT's 2010 Annual Scientific Meeting in Las Vegas.

“Toshiba is focused on leading innovation in the development of its advanced medical imaging equipment and believes in supporting residents and fellows who are innovators in their field.”

"In today's healthcare environment where research and educational funding is limited, support of the Young Investigator Award from SCCT and Toshiba is all the more critical in helping to improve patient care in diagnostic imaging," said Jack A. Ziffer, Ph.D., M.D., immediate past president, SCCT. "Toshiba's involvement in this program over the past four years demonstrates the company's commitment to supporting the education of tomorrow's imaging leaders."

Raman Dusaj, M.D., from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, D.C., won for his submission titled, "Estimation of Right Atrial and Ventricular Pressure by CT Coronary Angiography."

Thomas Smith, M.D., from Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in Los Angeles was named a winner for his paper titled, "Assessment of the Morphologic Features of Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease Using 64-slice Multidetector Computed Tomography."

Five finalists presented their work at the SCCT Annual Scientific Meeting, held July 15-18, 2010, in Las Vegas. An independent panel of five editorial advisors reviewed the submitted papers for scientific accuracy as well as originality, creativity and writing style. All five finalists will receive a free year of membership with SCCT. Dr. Dusaj and Dr. Smith were awarded the Young Investigator Award, which includes an opportunity for priority peer-reviewed publication in the Journal of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (JCCT) and recognition of their work on the Annual Scientific Meeting website.

"Toshiba and SCCT believe in supporting the development and education of these young investigators, as they are the cardiovascular CT imaging leaders of the future," said Doug Ryan, vice president, Marketing and Strategic Development, Toshiba. "Toshiba is focused on leading innovation in the development of its advanced medical imaging equipment and believes in supporting residents and fellows who are innovators in their field."

Sponsored by Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc., through an unrestricted educational grant, the Young Investigator Award is awarded to two residents or fellows in either radiology or cardiology for their patient care research in the categories of technical and clinical advancement of cardiovascular CT.