Katarzyna J. Macura, MD, PhD - 2005 President of AAWR

Wife and mother, teacher, researcher

I earned both MD and PhD degrees from the Medical University of Lodz in Poland. While a medical student, thanks to my husband, I discovered Medical Informatics. I emigrated to the US to launch a successful career in Medicine and Informatics. When I arrived in the US with two small children, nothing seemed to be easy, a new language, a new life style, and new challenges. But suddenly everything became possible. I focused on proving myself, breaking the language barrier, and advertising my talents. Thanks to serendipity, I discovered Radiology. Thanks to hard work, I advanced in both Informatics and Radiology, and all along I was able to raise two wonderful sons. Thanks to my family, I am able to maintain my happiness. Thanks to challenging and stimulating work in academia, I maintain my professional satisfaction.

The AAWR has contributed to my professional growth in many ways. I joined the AAWR as a first year radiology resident. Early on I became actively involved in the development of the AAWR web site. As an editor of the web site I learned to manage online publishing and most importantly I became immersed in the history of the AAWR. My work for the society led to my nomination to the Executive Board, and subsequently to the honor of becoming the 24 th President of the AAWR. I am grateful to the society for giving me a forum for the expression of my talents and for encouraging my personal growth. The skills that I learned through my service will stay with me for years to come, as I advance my academic career and make further contributions to organized Radiology. Thank you AAWR!

What do you like most about your current life/career?

My work as an academic radiologist is challenging and stimulating, and I can make a difference as a teacher, doctor, and researcher. My most cherished moments at work include residents’ and fellows’ appreciation for educating them, patients’ gratitude for being a physician who listens and cares, and those days when I make progress in research experiments and get recognition for my work.

What would be your most important advice to your junior colleague?

Do not get discouraged when a failure comes your way. Just re-assess the problem, prepare new strategy and try again. We learn from mistakes and failures, we gain experience, we grow stronger and one can only get better. Remember to reach for the moon; even if you miss, you will land among the stars.

In 2005, I received the “Outstanding Teacher Award” from residents from the Johns Hopkins Radiology Department. I am surrounded by my residents graduating class in June 2005

My family is my oasis; with husband Robert and sons Tomasz and Wiktor in Baltimore Inner Harbor, Summer 2006

Katarzyna J. Macura, MD, PhD is Assistant Professor in the Russell L. Morgan Department of Radiology at the Johns Hopkins University. Her specialty is cross-sectional body imaging.