One of Canada’s leading radiology educators is being recognized for her years of outstanding contributions to academic radiology and mentorship. Dr. Kate Hanneman has been awarded the 2024 Lifetime Honored Educator Award from the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), the University of Toronto (U of T) Department of Medical Imaging announced earlier this month.
The CAR is thrilled to congratulate Dr. Hanneman on receiving this incredible recognition from the RSNA. The Honored Educator Award is presented annually to “those most invested in furthering radiologic education through the creation of high-quality educational content in their field of study.” Candidates must win this award three previous times in order to meet the eligibility criteria for the Lifetime Award, which Dr. Hanneman did in 2017, 2018, and 2023.
It is a dizzyingly high standard that requires years of consistent dedication.
“This award is a tremendous honor, particularly at this stage in my career,” said. Dr. Hanneman. “Recognition of various education initiatives I've participated in, ranging from presentations, lectures, and course development, is highly motivating. I hope this might inspire others as well.”
Dr. Hanneman is a cardiac radiologist whose clinical work focuses on CT, MRI, and chest imaging. She is Vice-Chair of Research and Associate Professor at the U of T and has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed papers. She has propelled herself to be leader in making radiology a more environmentally sustainable field of medicine. She has published papers on the topic in several prominent journals, like Radiology and the CAR Journal, and has delivered presentations at major radiology conferences in Canada and abroad; in the past 12 months alone, she was a Plenary Session Speaker at CAR 2024 and was an invited speaker as CAR Rising Star representative at Journées Francophones de Radiologie (JFR) in Paris, France. Additionally, she co-chairs the CAR Environmental Sustainability Working Group.
She says being an educator and mentor has enriched her career.
“I learn a tremendous amount about myself through teaching and education course development. I also have several mentors and sponsors who have been instrumental in my career development and in opening doors to new opportunities.”
Of all her accomplishments, Dr. Hanneman most enjoys taking part in educational meetings. “Program planning for various society meetings, including RSNA, is a standout highlight for me.”
Beyond her work on sustainability in radiology, Dr. Hanneman has used her place in education to increase gender equity in the field through mentorship. She believes that radiology trails other medical specialties in attracting women to the field and progressing those women to higher level and senior positions during their career journeys. “Having mentors who are women has been invaluable to me. From a personal perspective, it has helped me navigate the challenges of an academic career with starting a family. Seeing and working with women in senior leadership positions is also very inspiring and is motivating,” she recalled.
The CAR is proud to congratulate Dr. Hanneman on this recognition of her tireless dedication to radiology education.