Bruce G. Haffty, M.D., Named Chair of the RSNA Board

CHICAGO — Bruce G. Haffty, M.D., was named chair of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Board of Directors today at the Society's annual meeting in Chicago.

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Bruce G. Haffty, M.D.

Dr. Haffty is associate vice chancellor, Cancer Programs, at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences. He also serves as professor and chairman in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. 

Dr. Haffty completed his medical school and residency training at Yale University School of Medicine in 1988 and spent the next 18 years specializing in breast, head and neck cancers in Yale's Department of Therapeutic Radiology. He served on the faculty at Yale from 1988 through 2005. Dr. Haffty was promoted to professor of therapeutic radiology in 2000, served as residency program director from 1992 through 2004, and vice chairman and clinical director from 2002 to 2005.

As RSNA chair, Dr. Haffty will lead the board in its continued focus on bringing value to RSNA membership in North America and throughout the world through its offerings in research and education.

"Over the coming year, we will continue to explore strategies to move the field of radiological sciences forward through cutting-edge research and educational programs," Dr. Haffty said. "Another goal is to raise the profile of RSNA and radiology outside of the radiologic community to other medical communities and professional societies."

Dr. Haffty has authored or co-authored 50 books, book chapters and theses, more than 400 peer-reviewed articles and numerous editorials and letters. Dr. Haffty is a leader in national clinical trials and is currently co-investigator on several national clinical trials through the NRG Oncology and Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology cooperative groups. He has given many scientific research presentations nationally and internationally and has been an invited lecturer or visiting professor at nearly 180 institutions and meetings worldwide.

At Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Jersey Medical School and Cancer Institute of New Jersey—now part of Rutgers, Dr. Haffty spearheaded the expansion of the Radiation Oncology Program and developed residency programs in radiation oncology and medical physics—the only such programs in the state of New Jersey.

Through his extensive work with the American Society for Radiation Oncology, Dr. Haffty served as the founding president of the Association of Directors of Radiation Oncology Programs (ADROP) in 2000, providing tools and resources to advance the quality of residency training and education in radiation oncology. He served as ADROP president from 2000 to 2003. 

Dr. Haffty's research on new methods of delivering radiation therapy for breast cancer has focused on molecular and genetic factors as they relate to radiation resistance and outcomes in patients. His Lancet –
published research on BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations in conservatively managed breast cancer documented high rates of second primary ipsilateral breast cancers (cancers affecting the same side of the body) and has impacted clinical practice. Dr. Haffty's research has created unique factors associated with outcomes, paving the way for molecular targeted therapies in combination with radiation.

In addition to editing the comprehensive Handbook of Radiation Oncology, Dr. Haffty has served on numerous editorial boards, such as The Cancer Journal, Clinical Cancer Research, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Women's Oncology Review, Radiation Oncology Investigations and Oncology Reports. He currently serves on the editorial board of The Breast Journal and serves as deputy editor of Journal of Clinical Oncology. He served on the RSNA News editorial board from 2009 to 2015.

Dr. Haffty has volunteered with RSNA in a number of roles, including as third vice president from 2013 to 2014 and as co-chair of the Bolstering Oncoradiologic and Oncoradiotherapeutic Skills for Tomorrow (BOOST) Program. At RSNA 2009, he delivered the Annual Oration in Radiation Oncology, "Genetic Factors in the Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapeutic Management of Breast Cancer." Dr. Haffty was named RSNA Outstanding Educator in 2013. Dr. Haffty has been on the RSNA Board of Directors since 2014, most recently serving as liaison for science.

Among his other leadership positions, and in addition to a busy clinical practice, Dr. Haffty has served on numerous national committees related to research and education in breast cancer and radiation oncology. He is a past president of the American Radium Society, past chairman of the Residency Review Committee in Radiation Oncology, past president of the American Board of Radiology, and past president of American Society for Radiation Oncology.