Brig. Gen. W. Scott Lynn, Deputy Commanding General (Operations), of the 807th Medical Command (Deployment Support), was awarded an American College of Radiology (ACR) Fellowship for his contribution and influence in the specialty of radiology, at Washington, D.C., May 19, 2019.

This award is one of the highest that ACR bestows on its members - with only ten percent having received this honor. The ACR Fellowship is awarded to radiologists, medical physicists, and nuclear medicine physicians at the annual Convocation meeting.

History of the Fellowship started when the college first originated in 1923. The founders planned it to be a small and elite group, only inducting seven members at the first ceremony. In 1931, the college expanded its membership to increase its projects, reach and influence. In 1935, the ACR established a category of diplomats (fellows) for those members who achieved prominence and renown in their field. Today, the ACR boasts 3,534 follows.

The Fellowship pledge states, “The ACR seeks to exemplify and develop the highest traditions of the profession of medicine.”

This mission statement resonates for military senior leader development as well. Priority in both professional and military education incorporate challenges in collaborative settings. On the military side, reservists take these experiences and lessons learned into the joint, multinational, and interagency national security environments.

Regarding the significance of having been inducted as a fellow, Lynn said, “As an Army General Officer and practicing physician, induction into fellowship status provides access to the mentorship of national leaders within our specialty while also providing professional representation of military medicine within our national health care system. Furthermore, attaining fellowship status establishes a pathway for other military radiologists to follow as they progress in their professional careers.”

Lynn commissioned in the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) in the Medical Corps, June 2000, after receiving his M.D. from the University of Alabama School of Medicine, followed by a four year diagnostic residency at the University of Texas health science center in San Antonio, Texas. He completed a Neuroradiology fellowship at Whike Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. His Neuroradiology Fellowship included military leave for his mobilization rotation to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, Madigan Army Medical Center in Fort Lewis, Washington

Regarding his balancing of both military and civilian activities, Lynn said, “As a result of the Army Reserve transition to an operational force over several decades, professional life for a USAR physician now requires more blending of our military and civilian lives.”

“Organizations such as the American College of Radiology serve as proponents for our medical specialties, advocating for standards of quality care, patient safety, continuing education, and scientific advancement,” he said. “Military physicians bring a unique prospective on medical care to the college, while simultaneously bringing the best of civilian heath care back to the military system.  These endeavors benefit both civilian and military patients. Participation in our professional colleges provides a mechanism for military physicians to weave their professional interests into the fabric of the national health care environment just as they do for civilian physicians. State chapters are the usual forum by which civilian radiologists become involved with the college, but the USAR’s operational tempo and time commitment leaves little time for participation in state chapters.”

The ACR is ensuring the military is a part of their program. “During this last 12-18 months, the ACR created a Military Subcommittee to better enable military physician participation.  As part of this effort, the ACR created a pathway for military physicians to attain fellowship status,” said Lynn. “Myself, and Dr. Mohammed Naeem (an Active Component radiologist) are the first military physicians nominated for fellowship status through this new process.”

When asked about advice for medical professionals who are new to the military, Lynn said, “The military provides opportunities to grow through all kinds of challenges and professional colleges do too.  I encourage military physicians, whatever their specialty, to stay involved with their professional community as much as possible. The professional milieu of both their military and civilian lives ultimately benefit our patients, whether these patients are soldiers, civilians, or family members.  We owe it to our patients and nation to be the best physician we can be. It’s been an honor to serve in the U.S. Army Reserve and to receive this recognition from the ACR.”