Department of Radiology Timeline

Department of Radiology Timeline

Radiology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) goes back more than 100 years – shortly after the X-ray method of imaging was created in Germany in 1895. The inventor earned the first Nobel Prize in Physics for the discovery. In 1921, the hospital installed radiology equipment on-site, later founding a Department of Radiology, hiring specially trained radiologists on staff, and eventually expanding the type of radiological imaging offered to patients.

Today, CHOP offers more than a dozen diagnostic imaging procedures covering the full gamut of diagnoses. Our investments in new imaging technologies support our mission: to offer the safest diagnostic procedures and low-dose radiation solutions.

Learn more about diagnostic imaging services at CHOP.

1900 - Radiology comes to Philadelphia.

Early 1900s

Radiology comes to Philadelphia.​
Shortly after the X-ray method is discovered in Germany, radiology comes to the University of Pennsylvania.​
Charles Lester Leonard, MD

1912

Recognizing the importance of this new technology, CHOP hires a radiologist.
Charles Lester Leonard, MD, becomes CHOP’s first radiologist and one of the first pediatric radiologists in the nation. Leonard dies a year later from effects of excessive radiation exposure.
Babies with radiology equipment in 1921.

1921

CHOP installs radiology equipment on-site.
For the first time, sick children can be diagnosed on-site at CHOP without the need for transportation to another facility.

 
Ralph S. Bromer, MD

1921

Ralph S. Bromer, MD, is hired as visiting radiologist to CHOP.
Applications of the new technology expands the hospital's capacity for diagnosis, including chest X-rays to assess children for pneumonia.
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1924

Research in pediatric radiology begins at CHOP.
Dr. Bromer and his staff begin collecting clinical material for research. The work of the radiology technician — a new role — is key to the success of Radiology at CHOP.
Child getting X-Ray in 1930s.

1930s

Radiology expands as CHOP’s growth flourishes.
Radiology expands with new staff and equipment. For the first time, hospital leaders allocate funds for radiology research — cementing a lasting foundation and focus on scientific inquiry.
Pediatric X-Ray Diagnosis book of publications

1945

Pioneering radiologists at CHOP establish pediatric radiology as a distinct discipline.
By tailoring radiology specifically for children and publishing their research, these original cutting-edge practitioners promote the health of children worldwide.
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1950s

The rising importance of radiology is seen in a remodel for the department.
Changes include new equipment, a reading room separate from the dark room, and a playroom designed to put children at ease while they wait for their radiological procedures. The CHOP Annual Report includes a description of the room, which features a screen showing “six amusing pictures sent to the hospital by Walt Disney.”
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1950s

The Department of Radiology prioritizes the best imaging for children through early adoption of cutting-edge technology.
The new technique of angiography — imaging blood vessels — is implemented at CHOP.
John Westgate Hope, MD

1951

John Westgate Hope, MD, is appointed Radiologist-in-Chief.
Dr. Hope is CHOP's first full-time, in-house radiologist, and he serves the hospital for the rest of his life. He leads the Department into the modern era of Radiology.
Patricia F. Borns, MD

1955

Patricia F. Borns, MD, joins Dr. Hope as the first female radiologist at CHOP.
At this time, Drs. Hope and Borns are the only radiologists in the Department, and together they establish a high standard of clinical care and research.
Radiology department in 1960s

1960s

Under Dr. Hope’s leadership, the Radiology Department continues to grow.
The main diagnostic modalities are plain film and fluoroscopy, but Drs. Hope and Borns coax information from these limited tools to make brilliant diagnoses.
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1970s

New innovative tests come to the Department, most notably the use of CT.
Computed tomography (CT) enables non-invasive imaging of the brain — for the first time — revolutionizing neurological diagnosis.
Staff from the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and radiologists meet daily to review radiographs hanging on the view box.

1970s

CHOP radiologists and clinicians establish a culture of collaboration.
Staff from the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and radiologists meet daily to review radiographs hanging on the view box. Together, they work to offer the best care to patients.
Herbert J. Kaufmann, MD

1971

Herbert J. Kaufmann, MD, becomes Chair of the Department.
One of the early pediatric radiologists in Europe, Dr. Kaufmann serves as chairman of CHOP’s Department of Radiology from 1971-1975.
Soroosh Mahboubi, MD, FACR

1973

The CHOP Pediatric Radiology Fellowship is established.
Soroosh Mahboubi, MD, FACR, is one of the first pediatric radiology fellows trained at CHOP. After eight months of his fellowship, Dr. Mahboubi becomes a full-time radiologist and remains at CHOP until his retirement in 2018.
CHOP relocates to its fourth location at 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard.

1974

CHOP relocates to its fourth location at 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard.
Now, infants born at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (located next door) can come to CHOP for advanced imaging through a connecting corridor in the basement.
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1978

The Section of Nuclear Medicine is established at CHOP under the leadership of Sidney Heyman, MD.
Spencer Borden IV, MD, MBA

1979

Spencer Borden IV, MD, MBA, becomes CHOP’s Radiologist-in-Chief. 
Dr. Borden advocates for more up-to-date equipment and supports Henrietta Kotlus Rosenberg, MD, FACR, FAAP, in lobbying for ultrasound equipment.
Dr. Soroosh Mahboubi

1980

The Radiology Department strengthens its focus on education.
Efforts are made locally and internationally to enhance training for the next generation of radiologists. Locally, CHOP offers a course on pediatric radiology. Globally, Dr. Mahboubi joins a team of CHOP physicians on a 6-day tour of China to instruct staff in pediatric medicine.
Henrietta Kotlus Rosenberg, MD, FACR, FAAP

1981

Section of Ultrasound is established under Henrietta Kotlus Rosenberg, MD, FACR, FAAP.
Throughout the 1980s, Dr. Rosenberg leads the development of pediatric ultrasound for a variety of applications and pioneers research in the rapidly developing field.
Computed Tomography (CT)

1983

Section of Computed Tomography (CT) is established under Dr. Mahboubi.
The 1988 CHOP Annual Report remarks that adopting the new modalities of MRI and CT were part of the hospital’s larger plan to improve radiology offerings with “technology for the 1990s and beyond.”
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1986

CHOP’s Trauma Center is established.
In the 1980s, trauma accounts for more than half of childhood deaths. CHOP’s Trauma Center is created to detect and treat life-threatening injuries immediately — saving lives. Radiology is a key service that enables the success of the Trauma Center.
Kenneth E. Fellows, MD

1987

Kenneth E. Fellows, MD, becomes Radiologist-in-Chief, a position he will hold until his retirement in 2000.
Dr. Fellows focuses on upgrading and replacing Radiology equipment and on developing department staff to be more academically oriented. New radiologists are hired and the department expanded.
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1987

The Division of Interventional Radiology is established at CHOP.
Interventional radiology (IR) provides a full range of therapeutic and diagnostic procedures for children with various medical conditions. In many cases, IR procedures reduce the need for open surgery, include smaller incisions, a quicker recovery and less pain for patients.
Robert A. Zimmerman, MD

1988

Neuroradiology is established at CHOP, led by Robert A. Zimmerman, MD, and Larissa T. Bilaniuk, MD.
Drs. Zimmerman and Bilaniuk moved from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where all pediatric MR studies had been performed until this point. New MRI machines are installed at CHOP and children can receive MR imaging on-site.
CHOP Radiology begins to move toward an all-digital model to produce and interpret all imaging studies.

1990s

The Department begins to transition to digital radiology.
With the advent of voice transcription technology and digital imaging techniques — as well as CT and MRI — CHOP Radiology begins to move toward an all-digital model to produce and interpret all imaging studies.
Larissa T. Bilaniuk, MD

1995

Larissa T. Bilaniuk, MD, leads the new fetal MR service.
In collaboration with Surgeon-in-Chief N. Scott Adzick, MD, MMM, FACS, FAAP, and the fetal surgery team, Dr. Bilaniuk scans patients to identify defects, informing fetal repair surgery.
The number of clinicians, fellows and researchers in the department reaches 20.

1998

The number of clinicians, fellows and researchers in the department reaches 20.
This is the largest staff in CHOP Radiology’s history so far, indicating the expansion and continued excellence of their work.
The Radiology Department's clinical research fellowship for physicians is expanded fivefold, and a formal Radiology Research Fellowship is established.

2000s

The Department’s resources grow rapidly, and research becomes a major focus.
The Radiology Department’s clinical research fellowship for physicians is expanded five-fold, and a formal Radiology Research Fellowship is established. Innovative new methods and programs develop, including a magnetoencephalography (MEG) imaging lab, lymphatic imaging, and formal mentorship and education.
Richard B. Towbin, MD

2000-2003

Richard B. Towbin, MD, FSIR, leads Pediatric Interventional Radiology. 
Dr. Towbin advances Pediatric Interventional Radiology at CHOP and establishes the Division of Quality Control in the Radiology Department. State-of-the-art imaging is advanced, and academic productivity continues to grow.
CHOP Radiology goes all digital, eliminating the need to print images or reports.

2003

CHOP Radiology goes all digital, eliminating the need to print images or reports.
The Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) is implemented at CHOP Radiology. Clinicians no longer have to come to the Department to find and view images. Reports become available within minutes or hours after a study has been performed, leading to better patient care. As Acting Radiologist-in-Chief, Richard I. Markowitz, MD, FACR, leads this transition.
Diego Jaramillo, MD, MPH

2004

Diego Jaramillo, MD, MPH, becomes CHOP’s Radiologist-in-Chief.
Dr. Jaramillo makes research a strong priority for CHOP Radiology, hiring new research assistants and directors as well as expanding lab space.
The Lurie Family Foundation's MEG Imaging Center is established under the leadership of Timothy P.L. Roberts, PhD.

2005

The Lurie Family Foundation’s MEG Imaging Center is established under the leadership of Timothy P.L. Roberts, PhD.
The NIH-funded center focuses on neuroscience imaging, with a special emphasis on neurodevelopmental disorders in a wide range of patient populations.
The 3D Printing Lab at CHOP is founded.

2011

The 3D Printing Lab at CHOP is founded.
The lab aims to create advanced imaging models for medical trainees, patient-specific models for surgical planning, and to design and prototype pediatric-specific biomedical devices.
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound is introduced at CHOP.

2013

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound is introduced at CHOP.
After a concerted effort led by Kassa Darge, MD, PhD, DTM&P, FSAR, FAIMU, and Susan J. Back, MD — including increased research and education, and acquiring FDA approval — new contrast agents begin to be used with pediatric ultrasound, enabling great clarity when imaging children without sedation.
Kassa Darge, MD, PhD, DTM&P, FSAR, FAIMU

2016

Kassa Darge, MD, PhD, DTM&P, FSAR, FAIMU, becomes Radiologist-in-Chief and Chair of the Department.
Dr. Darge’s tenure is marked by enhanced research output, an expanded focus on patient safety in imaging, enriched education offerings (including globally), and support for young researchers and faculty.
Radiology Research moves to a new location.

2017

Radiology Research moves to a new location.
A dedicated research office space is established in the Roberts Center for Pediatric Research. The Department continues its emphasis on clinical and education research, expanding its fellowship programs and recruiting research fellows and assistants from all over the world.
The Center for Pediatric Contrast Ultrasound is founded.

2018

The Center for Pediatric Contrast Ultrasound is founded.
The Center provides hands-on training in the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in children, expanding education and research in the clinical application of the modality.
The Radiology Department continues its service throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020

The Radiology Department continues its service throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Radiology Clinical Research Core inaugurates its office space in the Roberts building.

2021

The Radiology Clinical Research Core inaugurates its office space in the Roberts building.
Staff wear the clear, 3D-printed masks developed within the Department for clarity while communicating with patients, families and staff during the pandemic.
CHOP Radiology co-sponsors the 67th annual meeting of the Society for Pediatric Radiology (SPR).

2024

CHOP Radiology co-sponsors the 67th annual meeting of the Society for Pediatric Radiology (SPR).
In addition to Dr. Darge serving as president of the Society, more than 50 members from CHOP’s Radiology Department participate in the annual meeting. CHOP staff present during scientific sessions, participate in invited talks, serve as session moderators, and share poster presentations.

Acknowledgements

This timeline relies heavily on Dr. Richard Markowitz’s research and article “Pediatric radiology in the Philadelphia region: A history of pedigrees and legacies,” published in Pediatric Radiology in 2009, Dr. Soroosh Mahboubi’s personal and written recollections of his career in CHOP Radiology since the 1970s, as well as personal correspondence with former and current CHOP radiologists, including Drs. Richard Bellah, Larissa Bilaniuk, Kassa Darge, Diego Jaramillo and Henrietta Rosenberg. 

The timeline has also been informed by the CHOP digital archive of historical photos, historical information published on the websites of the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and Department of Radiology, CHOP Annual Reports and other materials archived in the library of the College of Physicians.