The ACR Foundation (ACRF) presented its 2022 Global Humanitarian Awards (GHA) at ACR 2022. The GHA honor individuals who have had a positive global impact on radiology services.

According to Dana H. Smetherman, MD, MPH, MBA, FACR, chair of the ACRF Executive Committee, “The 2022 ACR Foundation GHA recipients are pillars of the global radiological community and have earned our respect for their efforts to provide better health outcomes for citizens of underserved countries.” 

This year the award was given to Kassa Darge, MD, PhD, DTM&P, FSAR, FAIUM, and David H. Epstein, MD, FACR. Darge has over 30 years of experience in medical outreach internationally, including 20 years in pediatric radiology outreach. He’s been a leader in this field that has seen his medical outreach span across Eastern Europe as well as Liberia, Ghana, South Africa, Brazil, and Ethiopia. He has cared for over 150,000 patients at Black Lion Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and cited one of his crowning accomplishments in the form of the pediatric radiology fellowship outreach program at Addis Ababa University.

Epstein has been providing help around the world for years, including working the past eight years with the Global Surgical and Medical Support Group. Here, he has helped this nonprofit organization provide medical care and training around the globe. Epstein worked two one-week programs in Panama and Honduras, working with the Global Brigades to provide clinical care and diagnostic US for over 300 patients. His program in Iraq started when the Iraqi medical system was overwhelmed in 2015 with ISIS less than 30 miles outside of the capital of Baghdad. Epstein assisted with care for Iraqi security forces, citizens, and refugees, performing over 100 image-guided procedures.