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How a Urology Career Ending Hand Injury, Produced a Pioneer of Uroradiology

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Sources of Funding: none

Introduction

Dr. Howard Pollack retired as a well-known pioneer of uroradiology. He originally trained as a Urologist, but a disabling accident forced him to make a career change to Radiology. Dr. Pollack capitalized on the career change and helped found the specialty of GU radiology in the USA.

Methods

Internet and historical archive review, as well as personal interviews with former residents and faculty

Results

A lifelong Philadelphian, Pollack graduated from Temple University for college and medical school, and then Episcopal Hospital, for urology residency. He initially worked as a military urologist, as Chief of Urology at the 1,100th U.S. Air Force Hospital and advisor to the Surgeon General&[prime]s office. On return to civilian life, Pollack had a prosaic career as a community urologist. In a freak accident at home, a glass injury severely injured his hands ,disabling him and ending his urologic career. Instead of surrendering to tragedy, at middle age he changed careers and retrained as a Radiologist. His true calling was radiology. He quickly became an academic specialist, by applying his urologic skills to radiology. First, as chairman and professor of radiology at Episcopal Hospital and then as founder of the division of uroradiology at the University of Pennsylvania in 1977. He codified the specialty by establishing the Uroradiology Club in 1966, The Society of Uroradiology in 1974 and The Journal of Urologic Radiology in 1979. His textbook, Clinical Urography has been the bible of uroradiology. He also helped invent the endorectal coil for prostate imaging, sonographic classification of renal masses, and developed and refined interventional procedures (six patented inventions). Dr. Pollack was also a renaissance man; an art and history buff, passionate detective novel reader, and accomplished jazz pianist, and life-long baseball fanatic and sports trivia master. He published several sports articles and was more proud of them then any academic manuscript. On retirement, he worked on a definitive guide to every sports museum and hall of fame in the USA. Ironically, he died of metastatic renal cell cancer.

Conclusions

Dr. Pollack&[prime]s life epitomized the saying &[Prime]I asked for health, that I may do great things. I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.&[Prime]

Funding

none

Authors
Steven Brandes
Stephanie Thompson
Robert Goldfarb
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