David Naeger Named 2024 ARRS Distinguished Educator

The American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS) announced David M Naeger, MD, as the 2024 ARRS Distinguished Educator. The ARRS Distinguished Educator award recognizes outstanding individuals in the field of medical imaging who have a proven record of improving radiological education and remain committed to creating and implementing new and innovative educational activities.  

ARRS’ Distinguished Educator award celebrates truly inspirational teachers—like Dr Naeger—dedicated to education that results in improved participant performance, ultimately leading to enhanced patient outcomes. Dr Naeger has disseminated to countless radiologists and other health professionals the most current scientific and clinical information regarding diagnostic imaging, image-guided intervention, and related fields. Keeping the worldwide imaging community abreast of state-of-the-art techniques, he continues to stimulate critical thinking and reflection in both the science and practice of radiology. A tireless promoter of radiological research, Dr Naeger is especially adept at developing and supporting educators within the specialty. An engaging presence who motivates and impacts learners and colleagues alike, he exhibits his commitment to ARRS' own educational initiatives with special attention to the needs and diversity of our members. Keenly able to identify pressing issues in imaging curricula, while offering trenchant analysis and insightful solutions, Dr Naeger has made significant contributions resulting in instructional programs that greatly benefit this society’s entire membership.

Dr Naeger, MD, serves as the Director of Radiology at Denver Health, with oversight of the department’s clinical, research, and educational programs. Dr Naeger also serves as a Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Radiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver Health’s academic affiliate. At Denver Health, Dr Naeger oversees a team of 160 full-time employees, including radiologists, technologists, registered nurses, transporters, clerks, and administrative staff. Denver Health performs nearly 300,000 imaging examinations per year at multiple inpatient and outpatient sites, including a recently opened state-of-the-art outpatient imaging center. Denver Health Radiology has undergone tremendous growth, overall and in targeted service lines, with an expansion of the complexity and variety of services offered. Denver Health radiology sponsors its own fellowships and is the largest affiliate rotation site for University of Colorado Radiology residents. Dr Naeger earned his medical degree at Duke University School of Medicine, where he graduated AΩA (Alpha Omega Alpha). He then moved to the University of California-San Francisco (UCSF) to complete his residency in diagnostic radiology, served as a chief resident, and was awarded the prestigious Elmer Ng Award. While at UCSF, Dr Naeger completed a research fellowship and remained after his residency to complete clinical fellowships in cardiac and pulmonary imaging and in nuclear medicine. After his fellowships, he was appointed to the faculty at UCSF, ultimately serving as the department’s associate chair for education and co-director of the Henry I. Goldberg Center for Advanced Imaging Education. Dr Naeger has consistently been honored for his excellence as a leader, researcher, and educator in radiology. Dr Naeger has served in numerous leadership roles at Denver Health, the University of Colorado, and UCSD. Dr Naeger is a member of 11 medical/radiology societies and holds 19 leadership roles, including serving on a board of directors and executive committees, chairing numerous committees, and serving on program planning committees. Dr Naeger has served on grant review committees/study sections and has served as an associate, assistant, and deputy editor for multiple journals. Dr Naeger has given almost 150 invited international, national, and regional talks, including speaking in Taiwan, Hungary, the Netherlands, Brazil, Greece, and Canada. Many of Dr Naeger’s talks were grand rounds given throughout the United States. Dr Naeger holds a Fellowship of the Association of University Radiologists (FAUR) and is slated to join the Fellowship of the American College of Radiology (FACR) at the 2024 convocation. Dr Naeger has won the prestigious UCSF Academic Senate Distinction in Teaching Award, which is given to only two institutional faculty members per year. Dr Naeger has been awarded the Alliance of Medical Students Educators in Radiology (AMSER) Excellence in Education Award, the Society of Thoracic Radiology Presidents’ Award, and has been inducted into the Academy of Medical Educators at both UCSF and the University of Colorado. Dr Naeger has authored 99 peer-reviewed manuscripts, 13 book chapters, and 65 abstracts. Dr Naeger’s research and interests focus on novel curricular programs that enhance the education of medical students, residents, fellows, and practicing radiologists. He has also conducted research on clinical considerations in the daily interpretation of radiologic images, with an emphasis on the imaging and diagnosis of lung cancer, lung biopsies, chest imaging, and PET/CT imaging.