Three Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine physicians appointed to prestigious national positions

HOUSTON - (Jan. 31, 2012) - Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) are proud to announce the recent appointment of three physicians to national positions at key industry organizations.


Dr. George Bisset, chief of pediatric radiology at Texas Children's Hospital and the Edward B. Singleton professor of radiology at BCM, will serve as the new president of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). In addition, Dr. Christopher Cassady, section chief of pediatric interventional radiology at Texas Children's Hospital and clinical associate professor of radiology at BCM, has been reelected chair of the section on radiology at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).


"I want to congratulate both Dr. Bisset and Dr. Cassady on their appointments to such prominent and impactful organizations," said Dr. Mark Kline, physician-in-chief of Texas Children's Hospital and chair of pediatrics at BCM. "Both Texas Children's and Baylor College of Medicine are dedicated to providing our patients with state-of-the-art imaging, and having two ambassadors in such influential positions will help us to further promote and foster technological advances to help provide the best patient care possible."


Another key appointment is that of Dr. Mary Brandt, surgeon at Texas Children's Hospital and professor of surgery and pediatrics and associate dean of student affairs at BCM, who has been recently appointed to the chair of the section on surgery at the AAP.


"Dr. Brandt's appointment is a great success for the Department of Surgery at Texas Children's Hospital," said Dr. Charles D. Fraser, surgeon-in-chief at Texas Children's Hospital and chief of congenital heart surgery at BCM. "To have one of our surgeons with such a prestigious appointment is a testament to our staff and places Texas Children's Department of Surgery as a leading pediatric surgical program nationally."



More information about Bisset's, Cassady's and Brandt's appointments is below.

Dr. George Bisset, president of RSNA:

Bisset assumed the role of president of the RSNA Board of Directors on Jan. 1. RSNA is an association based in Illinois with more than 48,000 radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists members.


As president, Bisset will set the vision for the coming year, oversee the RSNA Board of Directors and serve as a diplomat for the RSNA at national and international meetings.


"In my role as president of RSNA for 2012, I plan to carefully focus on our newly redesigned strategic plan and, in a continuing quest to enhance member benefits, will seek to provide more opportunities for interactive and point-of-service education," said Bisset.


Widely recognized as a leader in the field of radiology, Bisset is an active member of various medical organizations and societies and has received numerous prestigious honors and awards. He has authored or co-authored nearly 200 scientific papers and abstracts, and serves as a reviewer for multiple scientific journals.

Dr. Christopher Cassady, chair of the section on radiology at the AAP:

Cassady was first elected in 2008 as the chair of the radiology section at the AAP and has been reelected this year for another three-year term. The AAP is a professional organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists.


As the chair of the radiology section, Cassady serves as the main representative of the AAP to the community on matters relating to imaging in pediatrics. Over the next three years he will help plan, promote and supervise educational opportunities for AAP members and will also act as a liaison to pediatric imaging subspecialty groups, including the Society of Pediatric Radiology, where he has a board-level appointment as well.


"The most critical area of focus currently is education on the appropriate use of imaging resources in children and the impact the decision to use imaging with ionizing radiation can have on immediate care versus a patient's lifelong health," said Cassady. "I hope it improves the care of children nationally, including in our own institution and community, by increasing awareness among practitioners of the judicious approach advocated by, for example, the ImageGently campaign, with which the AAP has been a core partner."

Dr. Mary Brandt, chair of the section on surgery at the AAP:

Brandt assumed the role of chair of the section on surgery of the AAP on Nov. 1, 2011. She has served on the executive committee of the section for the past five years and will serve in her new role for one year.


The AAP is the most powerful lobbying health care organization for children in the United States both at a federal and local level. The section on surgery provides support to the many efforts the AAP is making to improve surgical healthcare for children.


As the chair of the surgery section, Brandt is responsible for leading the section's executive committee which contributes to and develops new policies related to the care of children.


"I have the distinct pleasure and honor to chair an active and very innovative executive committee. These leaders in pediatric surgery are dedicated to making substantial changes for the benefit of our members and the children we serve," said Brandt. "Being able to play a major role in the political and social advocacy done by the AAP at this level will help improve care for children all over the U.S. and help place Texas Children's Hospital at the forefront of pediatric surgery."

About Texas Children’s Hospital

Texas Children’s Hospital, a not-for-profit health care organization, is committed to creating a healthier future for children and women throughout the global community by leading in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked as the best children’s hospital in Texas, and among the top in the nation, Texas Children’s has garnered widespread recognition for its expertise and breakthroughs in pediatric and women’s health. The hospital includes the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute; the Feigin Center for pediatric research; Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; and Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, a second community hospital planned to open in 2017. The organization also created the nation’s first HMO for children, has the largest pediatric primary care network in the country and a global health program that’s channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children’s Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. For more information, go to www.texaschildrens.org. Get the latest news by visiting the online newsroom and Twitter at twitter.com/texaschildrens.