Farewell For Now… but You’ll Always Be an F.O.E.
We don’t like goodbyes around these parts, but we do occasionally find ourselves saying “so long for now and see you again soon…” At the end of July, Diagnostic Imaging Centers will bid farewell to Dr. Edwin Herman.
If you have been one of our regular patients over his past 45 years of service, you may well have been dubbed an “F.O.E.” – that would be “Friend of Eddie.” Dr. Herman loves his patients and colleagues dearly, and will gladly tell you so, given half the chance. And we love him back!
Dr. Herman recently announced his impending retirement via a company-wide email, which we are happy to share. Not only does he talk about the amazing history of Diagnostic Imaging Centers, he also talks about the amazing history of radiology. Progress in our field of expertise has been profound over the years – and amazingly fast (time flies!).
Below are his characteristically kind words and thoughts on his time in radiology, and at Diagnostic Imaging Centers:
You have all heard the “RUMOR.” It is a fact. I am retiring July 29th.
In 1970, I joined Radiologists, Inc., which was the forerunner of Diagnostic Imaging Centers. There were 4 of us at the time and Dr. Jeff was still in diapers.
In those days, we were “wet developing” x-rays (perhaps you have heard the phrase, “Can I get a “wet read on that?”) We were wearing goggles during fluoroscopy and special procedures. We interpreted mammograms on Xerox paper. Nuclear medicine and ultrasound were in their infancy. It is shocking to see what once passed as advanced imaging. I have seen it all.
Over the past 45 years, we, Diagnostic Imaging Centers, have been on the leading edge of advances in imaging which, in 1970, we could never have conceived. CT and MRI have revolutionized the ability of radiologist to diagnose diseases far earlier and with greater accuracy The development of ultrasound and its subsequent improvements have particularly improved the field of women’s imaging. Nuclear medicine maintains a valuable role in the diagnosis of a multitude of disease processes. Just when I thought I was finished learning new technologies, along comes 3D Mammography, which gives us the ability to detect breast cancer at an earlier stage and with even greater sensitivity.
In 1985 we opened the College and Nall clinic. At great corporate and personal risk, we unveiled the first MRI in Johnson County and started the first full-service outpatient imaging center in the greater Kansas City area. It wasn’t easy in the beginning. At first we were seeing only 10-14 patients a day. Needless to say, we had a lot of time on our hands. It is amazing that today we perform over 1,000 exams per day. We have touched the lives of so many people.
As the Radiologists, Inc./Diagnostic Imaging Centers business model began to thrive, we subsequently opened many more imaging centers, serving the entire KC area.
WHAT A WONDERFUL JOURNEY IT HAS BEEN!!!!
This place is very special in so many ways and means so much to me and to my entire family. We have grown up here. In fact, we have grown older here.
I have been fortunate to have such wonderful partners, who will always be my colleagues and friends. I am so proud of their expertise, ability, compassion, and dedication to our patients. They are vital to our continued success.
The support staff, including the technologists, administrators, editors, medical records, front desk, couriers, help desk, public relations, and all are very dear to me! You keep a smile on my face and have played such an important role in my life.
Continue to take care of the ”F.O.E.s”. They really care about the amazing service they always receive. I have listened to them rave about all of you for decades. Never lose the drive to always provide that quality PATIENT-FIRST service. That is what separates us from all the rest.
I am confident that Diagnostic Imaging Centers will continue to be the BEST!!!!!
I am so proud of all of you. I wish you much success and lives filled with health, happiness, and good fortune.
Diagnostic Imaging Centers and its employees will always be in my heart.
THANK YOU FOR ACCOMPANYING ME ON MY JOURNEY.
I LUV you all so much.
EMH
Originally published 6/30/15 on diagnosticimagingcenterskc.com.
