Lee Rogers, a giant in the pantheon of musculoskeletal radiology pioneers and educators, passed away on November 28, 2024, Thanksgiving Day, in Tucson, Arizona, age 90. During his accomplished career in academic medicine, Dr. Rogers received numerous awards including the Gold Medals of the American College of Radiology, American Roentgen Ray Society, Association of University Radiologists, and Chicago Medical Society, and the Founders Medal of the International Skeletal Society. He served as Professor and Chairman of the Department of Radiology at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago for 21 years (1974–1995). With his unwavering generosity and philanthropic support, he helped to establish the first endowed professorship in medical education at Northwestern University — the Lee F. Rogers, MD Professorship in Medical Education (currently held by my friend and Lee’s former resident, Dr. Frank Miller).

Lee F. Rogers was born in Colchester, Vermont, on September 24, 1934. He attended Northwestern University for his undergraduate education and medical school, receiving his MD degree in 1959. He served in the United States Army Medical Corps, achieving the rank of Major in 1967. He subsequently held the position of Emeritus Civilian National Consultant in Radiology to the Surgeon General of the U.S. Air Force. Dr. Rogers authored four textbooks and more than 150 scientific articles and 122 editorials. His seminal textbook “Radiology of Skeletal Trauma” was a vital part of every radiology resident’s core reading list. First published in 1982, it is informative and conversational; it educated without feeling stiff and professorial, and helped make learning fun.

Dr. Rogers served as the Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal of Roentgenology from 1995 to 2004. Because of his contributions to maintaining and enhancing the quality of the radiology literature, he was honored with the creation of the ARRS Lee F. Rogers International Fellowship in Radiology Journalism. As Chair of the Board of Chancellors and President of the American College of Radiology, he helped in the development and introduction of the Relative Value Scale (RVS) for Medicare reimbursement. As President of the American Board of Radiology, he pushed through the development of the Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) model for neuroradiology, pediatric radiology, and vascular and interventional radiology.

Not one to rest on his laurels, Dr. Rogers was quick to embrace progress. In 2001, as the transition from radiographic film to PACS became an undeniable certainty, Lee wrote in his AJR Editor’s Notebook (https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.177.3.1770499):

PACS is better in so many ways than the old hard-copy film system; no darkroom, no file room, no more schlepping of films and film folders, no more paper cuts. PACS is definitely here to stay.

In 2003, regarding the ascendancy of helical CT technology, Lee wrote (https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.180.4.1800883):

So the onward and upward march of CT continues. And in its wake, old radiographic rubrics like radiographs of the spine for cervical trauma fall by the wayside.

Chatting with him at RSNA in the late 2010s, while well into his 80s, he shared with me his work on a new online textbook on the imaging of musculoskeletal trauma. At a time of life where many would sit back and reminisce, Lee chose to move forward and tackle the new field of online publishing.

Always humble, affable, and generous with his time and knowledge, Lee loved teaching residents, providing avenues of growth and opportunity to his junior faculty, and demonstrating his down-home and easy-going sense of humor. Not one for pomp and formality, Lee was easy to warm to. As I started my career in academic radiology at Northwestern University, Lee was incredibly generous with his time and resources. He provided opportunities for me to publish, participate in scientific meetings around the world, and become “connected” in the world of academic musculoskeletal radiology. In the reading room, he was a resident favorite, combining a keen eye, deep medical knowledge, and a love of teaching with his effervescent sense of humor. His handwritten dedication in the copy of his textbook kept in the Northwestern reading room read “A curse upon the individual who steals this book.” He spent the latter years of his professional life working in the Department of Radiology at the University of Arizona in Tucson, where at Christmastime, dressed in a bow tie, he would hand a red flower to every woman in the department (M. Taljanovic, personal communication, December 28, 2024).

Dr. Rogers was a mentor and a good friend to many radiologists, residents, medical students, and colleagues around the world. His leadership, intellect, humor, and friendship will be greatly missed. His contributions to the field were immense and lasting. To paraphrase an old aphorism, they don’t make ‘em like him anymore. I am told that his final wish was to live until Thanksgiving because his ancestors arrived on the Mayflower (E. Russell, personal communication, December 26, 2024). Just another example of Lee Rogers achieving what he set out to do.

Lee was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years Donna Mae (Brinker); parents Dr. Watson F. and Marguerite M. (Cole) Rogers; brothers Peter C. (Joyce) and Sam; and sister Sybil A. Rogers. He is survived by his children Michelle Marguerite Lytle, Cynthia Lee (Kirk H.) Waldenmaier, Christopher W. Rogers, and Matthew H. (Lisa) Rogers; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and three brothers: Frank, Joseph, and David Rogers. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Dr. Lee. F. Rogers’ memory to the Donna Mae Brinker Rogers Scholarship at The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences, established in 2020 to honor his wife.