Lawrence N. Rothenberg has been named Member Emeritus of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center upon his retirement after more than 35 years of service in the Department of Medical Physics.
Dr. Rothenberg is known for his work on the physical aspects of mammography and diagnostic x-ray imaging -- work that has focused on ways to enhance the quality of radiologic images while maintaining acceptably low doses of radiation. He collaborated with Center radiologists to improve diagnostic imaging and ensure a seamless conversion to computerized "filmless" technology. His tenure as director of the Diagnostic X-ray Quality Assurance Laboratory spanned a time of major innovation in imaging equipment -- including CT scanners, dedicated mammography x-ray units, digital x-ray imaging, ultrasound systems, PET-CT scanners, and radiation oncology CT simulators.
A dedicated mentor, Dr. Rothenberg taught diagnostic imaging physics and principles of radiation safety to a generation of diagnostic radiology and radiation oncology residents, student radiologic technologists, and medical physics fellows. He was recognized by Weill Medical College of Cornell University for "Outstanding Leadership in Education."
Dr. Rothenberg received his PhD in nuclear physics from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 1970 and joined Memorial Sloan-Kettering the same year. He is a past president of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, and this summer will receive that organization's Lifetime Achievement Award.