Teresita L. Angtuaco, MD, FACR – 1999 President of AAWR

Mother, teacher, mentor

I still remember the first time I heard of the AAWR. It was at the ARRS meeting in San Francisco in 1981. Dr. Wilma Diner who was then our program director and a mentor to me mentioned that she attended this organizational meeting and told me that I should join the AAWR. She told me that the stories that the women radiologists told at this meeting were pretty compelling and she could not believe how women radiologists are treated out in the real world. I did not quite appreciate this at that time. I only remember thinking that we really do not need another organization. I figured that a subcommittee or a branch of an existing radiology organization should suffice. I declined her invitation to join at that time but she said that if I had $25.00 to spend for membership, she thought it would be money well spent. In subsequent years, I found myself involved with maternity issues among residents and junior staff. The AAWR meetings seemed an ideal forum to discuss these issues and I became more and more enthusiastic about joining. I also felt very welcome whenever I attended the AAWR meetings. I distinctly remember Kay Vydareny, Carol Rumack and Anita Price who were very active in the organization at that time and very interested in hearing stories like mine. Dee Anderson in fact wrote me a very nice letter thanking me for my input in the discussions at the meeting. I knew then I had found my niche. I never missed an AAWR meeting at the RSNA or ARRS since I joined.

In 1999 I became president of the AAWR. In the same year, my husband got sick and had to spend 6 months therapy at MD Anderson Cancer Center. I entertained the thought of giving up my presidency to attend to my husband but I found that getting involved in the AAWR activities helped keep my focus and balance during those tough times. I continued to conduct AAWR business at the ACR, ARRS and RSNA meetings as a form of “therapy”. The overwhelming support of the executive committee members through their E-mails was precious. Most of all, having Ritsuko Komaki as my husband’s radiation oncologist was a direct result of my AAWR involvement. It made all the difference in the world to have someone like her in such a situation. I know my husband felt very fortunate to have her taking care of us.

I have witnessed how the AAWR has progressed through the years. Adele Swenson once told me that when the AAWR was first organized, she was among those who hoped that it would only be a temporary organization and women radiologists will no longer need the AAWR after a few years since the AAWR would soon reach the goals for which the organization was founded. When I became president, I told Adele that the AAWR was as strong and as needed as ever and that we are going to be around for as long as there are women radiologists. It has been six years and I still believe this to be the case.

As we celebrate 25 years of existence I cannot help but reflect with gratefulness at what the AAWR has been to me and a lot of other women radiologists. A lot of new acquaintances I have met in this organization have become friends. I never hesitate to pick up the phone and call for help or support whenever I need them. I rejoice in the successes of other women in radiology. The AAWR has not only become a symbol of how long we have come in this profession. It is a source of strength and pride. I may move on to other new horizons and get involved in other organizations but I will always be an AAWR member.

"1993-As an Associate Professor of Radiology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, juggling life with an 11 year old daughter, 13 year old son and the pressures of academia, these were the busiest and most rewarding years of my life."

"2006 - At the height of my career, I have achieved almost everything I could hope to achieve in academia. Professorships in 4 departments (Radiology, Ob/Gyn, Imaging and Radiation Sciences, Health Policy and Management) in three colleges (Medicine, Public Health and Health Related Professions) have brought new challenges. With both of my children married by the end of the end of the year, and an 18 month old granddaughter to spoil, I have morphed from "achieving" to "mentoring" and guiding future generations.  I am truly enjoying the fruits of my past efforts and I feel truly blessed and grateful."

Teresita L. Angtuaco, MD, FACR is Professor of Radiology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences