Kanwal Farooqi is a pediatric cardiac imager and clinical researcher at Columbia University Medical Center, with a research focus on the use of 3D printed and digital cardiac models to support patients with congenital heart disease (CHD).

A leader within the CHD community, Dr. Farooqi has served as faculty at many SCCT educational events within the past five years, such as the SCCT Knowledge Lab and the Annual Scientific Meeting.

Her leadership journey began as part of the first cohort of the SCCT Future Leaders program. One of her projects led to the creation of the first CHD online community, hosted within SCCT Connect.

“The most enjoyable and beneficial parts of the program was engaging with more senior members of the SCCT committee,” she said. “This allowed for making useful professional connections which led to opportunities such as manuscript collaborations.”

One year after graduating the program, she shifted to the role of mentor for cohort 4’s Jennifer Cohen, MD – also mentored by Anjali Chelliah, MD, FSCCT – who helped kick-off, organize and present the CHD webinar series along with B. Kelly Han, MD, FSCCT in 2023.

Now Dr. Farooqi’s SCCT journey comes full circle as she joins Emma Cheasty, MBChB, FRCR and Ron Blankstein, MD, MSCCT as the newest co-chair of the FLP, supporting participants from the unique perspective of once living in their shoes and working with program leaders to better setup mid-career professionals for success within the Society.

She also served as JCCT Social Media Editor from 2021-2023 and won the SCCT2024 Social Media contest for Best Image, subsequently serving as contest judge the following year.

Along with the CHD track, SCCT2026 attendees will find Dr. Farooqi presenting during the AI/ML Symposium on Thursday, July 9 on the topic of “Innovations beyond AI – Focus on clinical 3D printing & VR.” She’ll also be covering CHD sessions as a social ambassador on platforms like X (@kfarooqi).

Pictured: Dr. Farooqi, left, poses for a selfie with FLP co-chairs and participants of the first three cohorts during the SCCT2022 meeting in Las Vegas.

Michael Lu is co-director & director of AI at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Cardiovascular Imaging Research Center, associate chair of Imaging Science at MGH Department of Radiology and associate professor of Radiology at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Lu spends most days on multicenter clinical trials using coronary CT, including the REPRIEVE, PROACT, and PREEMPT randomized controlled trials. His research group has a second focus on applying machine learning to predict cardiovascular risk from chest x-rays, CT, MRIs and other types of imaging. Clinically he reads cardiovascular CT, cardiovascular MRI and vascular ultrasound.

When asked about what led Dr. Lu to the field of cardiovascular CT, he said, “Cardiac CT (and other imaging) allows you to see a person’s heart beat – what could be better than that? Cardiac CT is dynamic, both in the physiology but also the technological innovations and ideas that drive the field forward.”

He said he is fortunate to identify several mentors who greatly influenced his career and that he hopes to pay it forward for the next generation.

One example is his upcoming role as Mobile Mentor during the Speed Mentoring event at SCCT2026 in San Diego. Dr. Lu was also a former member of the Fellow and Resident Leaders of SCCT (FiRST) Committee, which is hosting the event on Friday, July 10 at 5:15pm PT.

He is currently a member of the SCCT Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) 2026 Program Committee for AI/Machine learning. A past associate editor for JCCT, Dr. Lu was part of writing groups for the SCCT consensus statements for AI for Cardiovascular CT, Standards for Quantitative Assessment of Coronary CTA, and Coronary Artery Calcium.

We asked Dr. Lu, why SCCT?

“It’s a small community, and membership in SCCT is one of the best ways to connect.”

Emilio Fentanes, MD, FSCCT is a cardiologist with advanced training in cardiovascular imaging, including coronary CT angiography, echocardiography and cardiac MRI at Midwest Heart and Vascular Specialists in Kansas City, Mo.

When asked what led Dr. Fentanes to the field of cardiovascular CT, he said that the engineering marvel of being able to noninvasively image the coronary arteries and cardiac structures with CT has always fascinated him.

“The ability to obtain precise anatomical information and use it to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease is incredibly powerful and rewarding,” he explained.

“Equally meaningful is the collaborative nature of the field. Cardiovascular CT brings together radiologists, technologists, electrophysiologists, heart failure specialists, interventional cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, pediatric cardiologists, and congenital heart specialists. Working within that multidisciplinary environment makes the work even more fulfilling.”

Dr. Fentanes joined SCCT in 2014 as a first-year cardiology fellow.

“I was drawn to the Society because I found a community of physicians equally fascinated by cardiac CT — people who genuinely loved to discuss, debate, and advance the field. From my very first meeting, I was struck by how approachable and welcoming everyone was. The collaborative spirit and shared mission to advance cardiovascular CT were inspiring.”

He explained that the same reason he joined the Society is the same reason he stayed a longtime member and became a Fellow of SCCT.

“SCCT has given me the opportunity to learn, to engage, and to contribute to a professional society that places patients first. That shared mission — improving cardiovascular care worldwide — is powerful and unique. Being part of a community that is united in advancing patient-centered imaging has been one of the most meaningful aspects of my career.”

Along with the people, Dr. Fentanes said learning opportunities are the most valuable benefit of SCCT membership, “without question,” explaining that each meeting and educational program he attends leaves him with new knowledge and renewed enthusiasm.

A proud photo or moment

“One of the photos that makes me most proud is of my son, Mateo. He was born prematurely at 25 weeks and 3 days and has continued to defy the odds ever since. Watching him grow into a kind, curious, and inquisitive boy has been the greatest privilege of my life. He likes to say when I’m reading CTs that he wants to ‘rotate the heart pictures to help people feel better,’ which always reminds me why I do what I do. His resilience and joy are constant sources of inspiration.”

Koen Nieman, MD, PhD, MSCCT is a cardiologist and professor of Cardiovascular Medicine and Radiology at Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif. A founding member of the Society, Koen was awarded the 2024 SCCT Stephan Achenbach Pioneer Award in Cardiovascular CT for his extensive contributions to the evidence base and body of knowledge supporting coronary CT over the past 25 years.

During his time as president in 2020-2021, he was tasked with navigating the cardiovascular imaging field through the COVID-19 global pandemic. During his 20th anniversary interview, he reflected on SCCT's transition to a virtual office prior to lockdown, and then the pivot from traditional education to a range of high-quality online programs after it became clear that the lockdown was not going away anytime soon.

"While none of us would want to go back to that period, the silver lining of the pandemic was that SCCT grew in terms of global reach – able to support and educate cardiac imagers around the world. Despite all challenges that we faced globally, I am proud how our community stuck together, and I believe SCCT came out stronger."

Dr. Nieman has been recognized for his contributions over the past 20 years to clinical practice guidelines, including "Use of cardiac computed tomography amidst the COVID-19 pandemic" and "Standards for quantitative assessments by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA)."

Dr. Nieman’s face is one you will find throughout SCCT events and education, from serving on the Annual Scientific Meeting and Education Committees as well as the Board of Directors, to serving as chair for the 2025 SCCT Global Meeting | Amsterdam, with its record number of abstract submissions as he welcomed the cardiac imaging community to his homeland of the Netherlands.

Pictured: Dr. Nieman (second from left) laughs with the rest of the panel during the popular CT Jeopardy session at SCCT2024 in Washington, DC. 

The newly renamed SCCT Cardiovascular Research Foundation of Southern California–Karlsberg Best Abstract Award will provide the top three authors with increased prize support than in past years and honors CVRF as well as long-time contributor and former SCCT Board of Directors member Ronald Karlsberg, MD, MSCCT.

“The commitment from the Cardiovascular Research Foundation of Southern California and Dr. Ronald Karlsberg to the Best Abstract Award strengthens one of the most important engines of progress in our field: high-quality, clinically relevant research,” said SCCT President Kavitha Chinnaiyan, MD, MSCCT. “This multi-year support allows SCCT to raise the bar for scientific excellence, recognize outstanding investigators, and accelerate the translation of discovery into patient care. We are grateful for this partnership and inspired by its confidence in the future of cardiovascular CT.”

All abstracts submitted to the SCCT Annual Scientific Meeting are considered for the award, which includes monetary prizes up to $5,000 for first place, free registration and travel subsidies for the subsequent annual meeting, and one-year free membership.

A panel of judges, appointed by the SCCT president and president-elect, will identify up to six finalists based on ranked scores provided by the SCCT Abstract Review Committee.

The finalists will present their research and answer questions during a Best Abstract webinar, with the panel selecting the top three to present during the Best Original Science session at the Annual Scientific Meeting.

Abstract submissions are open for SCCT2026 in San Diego until Friday, March 6, 2026.

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About the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography

Founded in 2005, the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) is the international professional society devoted to improving health outcomes through effective use of cardiovascular computed tomography (CCT). SCCT is a community of physicians, scientists and technologists from over 100 countries advocating for access, research, education and clinical excellence in the use of CCT. For more information, please visit https://scct.org.

The Cardiovascular Research Foundation of Southern California (CVRF)

The Cardiovascular Research Foundation of Southern California (CVRF) is dedicated to funding and performing innovative cardiovascular research aimed at transforming the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease, with a goal to mitigate and eradicate heart disease. Its mission is to advance cutting-edge, transformative cardiovascular care by promoting emerging science, educating patients and the community, and increasing awareness of the latest techniques and therapies that improve outcomes. For more information, please visit https://www.cvrf.net.

About the 21st Annual Scientific Meeting of SCCT (SCCT2026)

SCCT2026 – the preeminent meeting focused on cardiovascular CT – will be held July 9 - 12, 2026 in San Diego, California. The SCCT Annual Scientific Meeting is designed to engage physicians, trainees, technologists and healthcare professionals in a complete overview of the cardiovascular CT field. Planned sessions are targeted for all levels, from new practitioners to experienced providers. Sessions range from general overviews to state-of-the-art research and expert discussions. For more information, please visit https://scct.org/SCCT2026.

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Arlington, VA (Jan. 28, 2026) — The Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) congratulates the 65 members who earned designations of Master of SCCT (MSCCT), Fellow of SCCT (FSCCT) and Certified Technologist of SCCT (CSCCT) in 2025.

The following members secured the MSCCT designations last year:

• Marcio Bittencourt, MD, PhD, MPH, MSCCT
• Barbara Srichai-Parsia, MD, MSCCT

The following members earned the FSCCT designation:

• Deya Alkhatib, MD, FSCCT
• Amro Alsaid, MD, FSCCT
• Mahi Ashwath, MD, MBA, FSCCT
• Geoffrey Cho, MD, FSCCT
• Michael Lu, MD, MPH, FSCCT
• Alexis Rodriguez, MD, FSCCT

Over 55 members earned the CSCCT designation in 2025, including:

The FSCCT and MSCCT designations recognize those Society members who show evidence of an ongoing commitment and contribution in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases through cardiovascular computed tomography research, education and patient care, following completion of training.

The SCCT Technologist Certificate of Competency Program recognizes technologists who have in-depth understanding of the utility and diagnostic capability of cardiovascular computed tomography.

Members can apply for the FSCCT, MSCCT or CSCCT designations on the Society’s website.

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About the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography

Founded in 2005, the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) is the international professional society devoted to improving health outcomes through effective use of cardiovascular computed tomography (CCT). SCCT is a community of physicians, scientists and technologists from over 100 countries advocating for access, research, education and clinical excellence in the use of CCT. For more information, please visit https://scct.org/ .

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Patricia (Patty) Dickson, L.R.T. is director of operations at Capital Cardiology Associates in Albany, N.Y. and CT technologist for 32 years. 

Her work sits at the intersection of cardiovascular imaging, operations and patient access, she said, and she partners closely with imaging leadership to ensure the systems around cardiac CT — scheduling, communication, workflows and patient experience — are aligned and functioning at a high level.

“I am especially focused on strengthening the operational processes that support diagnostic services, reducing variation in care and giving our imaging teams the resources they need to deliver timely, high-quality cardiovascular care. Much of my daily work involves solving operational challenges, supporting staff, and making sure our programs remain patient-centered, efficient, and forward-thinking.”

With early mentors like Augustin DeLago, MD and James Min, MD, Patty admits that imaging immediately captured her career interest in 2005 and that she joined SCCT to become part of the professional community that was defining the future of cardiovascular CT.

“SCCT has always been where innovation, education and collaboration come together, and I wanted to contribute to that shared mission. As a technologist, I especially appreciated the Society’s recognition of the critical work imaging technologists do and how essential our role is to high-quality cardiac imaging.”

Over the years, Patty has served the Society in several capacities, including as member and leader of the SCCT Technologist Committee and member of the Board of Directors in 2017. A highlight of her involvement was participating in technologist education and training in Ireland in 2019, where she worked with international colleagues committed to advancing cardiac CT practice.

“The greatest benefit of SCCT membership has been the community. SCCT brings together experts who are genuinely passionate about advancing cardiovascular CT, and the shared knowledge, relationships, and collaboration have shaped both my career and the imaging programs I support. Being part of a Society so committed to innovation and excellence has been incredibly meaningful.”

This photo makes me proud because it captures one of my favorite family traditions — our annual Coluccio Ravioli Day. Four generations gather in the kitchen to make homemade ravioli, share stories, and laugh together. It reminds me of the joy, legacy, and togetherness that anchor our family.

This three-year program aims to build a strong leadership pipeline within SCCT and the field of cardiovascular CT by providing selected junior faculty with an interactive, mentored learning experience that builds leadership skills and facilitates leadership opportunities.

SCCT congratulates the three incoming participants of the Future Leaders Program (FLP):

• Raffaele Natella, MD, PhD
• Ady Orbach, MD, MSc
• Blair Suter, MD
  

Sotirios Evangelou, MD, FSCCT is a consultant cardiologist and head of Cardiac CT at the European Interbalkan Medical Center of Thessaloniki, Greece. With a focus on advanced diagnostics and procedural planning, Dr. Evangelou has established himself as a leader in cardiac CT, specializing in structural heart disease and stress CT perfusion. His daily routine is a blend of patient care, imaging analysis, research and collaboration with interventional cardiology colleagues, reflecting his commitment to delivering precise, evidence-based care. 

Dr. Evangelou said his journey into cardiac CT was driven by the need for accurate, non-invasive answers to complex clinical questions.

“A significant milestone in my career was my training at the Centro Cardiologico of Monzino, in Milan, Italy, under the guidance of Professor Gianluca Pontone,” he said. “They had a wonderful motto: 'Si cura bene dove si fa ricerca,' which means 'The best care is found where research is conducted.' 

“After this experience, I began integrating the physiology aspects that CCT can offer into daily clinical practice - such as Stress CT perfusion - alongside anatomical imaging, becoming the first in my country to implement this technology with a whole- heart scanner.” 

His engagement with the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) has been transformative.

Since joining over five years ago, Dr. Evangelou has actively contributed to the Society’s initiatives, starting as a member of the FiRST (Fellow and Resident Leaders of SCCT) committee and continuing as part of the International Task Force within the Education Committee.

A Fellow of SCCT, Dr. Evangelou has also served the Society as social media and community ambassador, engaging with colleagues online before, during and after the Annual Scientific Meeting.

“The society offers unbiased, cutting-edge knowledge sharing and exceptional networking, which are crucial for delivering the most current, evidence-based care in my own practice. My SCCT membership truly serves as a platform for education and global collaboration, essential for staying at the forefront of cardiac imaging.” 

Having an undeniable passion for education and collaboration, he said he's most proud of his recognition through notable achievements, including winning the Jeopardy competition at SCCT2022 in Las Vegas (pictured with Dr. Jonathon Leipsic) and having his cardiac CT images featured twice on the cover of the Journal of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (JCCT).

Mirvat Alasnag is director of Catheterization Laboratory & Research at King Fahd Armed Forces Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. As an interventional cardiologist who is a multi-society Fellow and board certified in cardiovascular CT, echocardiography and nuclear imaging, Dr. Alasnag said her passion has always been CCT. 

Her career began when she was initially advised that the job market for cardiac imaging was attractive and expanding both in the Middle East and globally. She took this advice and came to the U.S. with the intent to solely train in imaging but was “quickly seduced by the catheterization laboratory,” she explained. 

“It became clear that both skill sets would be valuable over the next phase of my career, where imaging becomes pack and parcel of modern-day interventions.”

It was as a fellow in training that she joined SCCT, a relatively new organization that was founded only one year prior. 

“The Society was an important source of exposure to the latest data, a reference for novel and radiation sparing acquisition protocols and an opportunity to engage with experts who can collaborate on research and other projects as I moved back to the Middle East,” she recalled.

A Fellow of the Society, Dr. Alasnag has been part of several committees and faculty positions in SCCT over the past two decades, including the Annual Scientific Meeting Program and Education Committees, CTA Academy faculty, social media ambassador and international working group chair.

She said serving in these roles allowed her expand her circle of influence and develop valuable collaborations, whether in education activities such as TCT Plus Middle East or research ventures like the CONFIRM Trial. 

As she grew as an educator, she was also watching her daughter grow. 

“This is a photo of my daughter graduating law school with her peers. I’m immensely proud to see her grow into an independent young lady who is very well rounded. She is an artist and academic and a fun person to be around.”

“She is also a reminder of my personal journey in the field of cardiology. Every stage of my career from training to international recognition is accompanied by one my daughter’s milestones: from taking her first steps to graduating law school.”

Meet Ron Blankstein, MD, MSCCT, 14^th president of SCCT

Ron Blankstein is associate director of the Cardiovascular Imaging Program and director of Cardiac Computed Tomography at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. A past president of SCCT, Dr. Blankstein received the 2025 SCCT Arthur S. Agatston Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Award for his groundbreaking contributions to preventive cardiology and his leadership in advancing cardiovascular CT.

During his time as president of the Society, Dr. Blankstein said he was particularly proud of four achievements:

1. The dramatic expansion of educational programs within the Society, “essentially ensuring that there’s something for everyone when it comes to learning more about cardiac CT.”
2. A strong focus on advocacy to improve reimbursement for cardiac CT, ultimately leading to increased technical fee payments for services in the U.S.
3. The inclusion of cardiac CT in many international guidelines — “ranging from the use of CT in structural heart disease, prevention, and of course chest pain” — which he credits to “all the great science that many in our community produced.”
4. The global expansion of the Society’s outreach efforts.

“SCCT now is a strong society of folks from all around the world who all care deeply about cardiac CT,” he said. “I personally love coming to the SCCT meeting every year to see all my friends and colleagues in the field — my prior mentors, my prior mentees — there’s no place like SCCT and I am so thrilled to see how well the society is doing and how well the field is doing, now 20 years after we started it all.”

And all of that doesn’t include the accomplishment of leading the organization through the uncertainty caused by a global pandemic, a feat he credits to everyone but himself.

“My term as SCCT president started in 2019 in Baltimore. At that time, it was the largest meeting we had ever held. It was a wonderful meeting, but little did we realize that only half a year later we were going to be in the midst of a global pandemic that would essentially shut down the world.

“The fact that we continued to grow during the pandemic at a time that many other organizations struggled is a direct testament to our leaders, the SCCT staff and our CEO Joanne Olson.”

A prolific researcher with more than 400 publications, he has shaped the field through his expertise in multimodality imaging, leadership in the 2021 Guideline for the Evaluation and Diagnosis of Chest Pain, and dedication to improving patient access to cardiovascular CT.

Within SCCT, Dr. Blankstein has made a lasting impact by pioneering and leading the annual Prevention Symposium, founding and championing efforts to achieve Medicare reimbursement for cardiovascular CT, and chairing the Future Leaders Program, now preparing to welcome its sixth cohort.

Dr. Ron Blankstein (center-left) receives the 2025 SCCT Arthur S. Agatston Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Award from Dr. Agatston (center-right) with SCCT President Kavitha Chinnaiyan and Immediate Past President Maros Ferencik at SCCT2025 in Montréal, Canada.

“As the field of cardiovascular CT continues to mature and become established globally, SCCT’s strategic plan outlines the overarching objectives the Society will prioritize to ensure that the whole medical community can continue to provide access to high quality cardiovascular CT, delivered by experts to ensure evidence-based quality care to our patients,” said Ed Nicol, MD, MBA, MSCCT.

Led by Past Presidents Nicol and Todd C. Villines, MD, MSCCT, the committee wrapped their year-long work on the new strategic priorities and objectives immediately following the 20th SCCT Annual Scientific Meeting last month. Additionally, they created 10 proposed initiatives to be executed over the next five years, to maintain key focus areas for the Society and to grow the cardiac imaging community and support future generations of imagers and their patients.

“SCCT’s 2025 – 2030 Strategic Plan represents an exciting and intentional evolution in our mission,” Dr. Villines explained. “Building on the strong scientific foundation and evidence base established through the 2019 – 2024 plan, our focus now turns to widespread clinical adoption and integration of cardiovascular CT into routine patient care.

“This next phase emphasizes expanding access, enhancing education, and fostering appropriate global utilization — ensuring that the proven benefits of cardiovascular CT are realized for patients everywhere.”

Some of these new initiatives include engaging groups like referring clinicians through tailored education and messaging on the optimal use and implementation of cardiovascular CT and providing targeted outreach to underserved populations.

Other audience focuses include technologists and early career professionals, as well as the society’s global members, clinicians, researchers and their patients.

View the new strategic priorities on scct.org.

Dr. Chinnaiyan is a cardiologist at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital Heart & Vascular in Michigan. A world leader in cardiac CT, she has authored and co-authored more than a hundred manuscripts and abstracts, and several book chapters.

A founding member of the Society, Dr. Chinnaiyan focuses her research endeavors on the clinical applications of cardiac CT, adoption of novel CT technology, radiation dose reduction and outcomes related to imaging.

She has served as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the American Heart Association of Southeast Michigan, Co-Chair of the Detroit Go Red for Women, Conference Chair for the Michigan Chapter of the American College of Cardiology and on the Think Tank of the Future of Cardiovascular Imaging initiative of the ACC.

Dr. Chinnaiyan – a former member of the SCCT Membership and Guidelines Committees – credits most of her success to being in the right place at the right time: in cardiology when cardiovascular CT was still up-and-coming, and she was in the early stages of her training. She said that while her initial interest in cardiology was anything to do with intervention or procedures, she changed gears in the middle of her fellowship and switched to advanced imaging.

“It’s a decision I’ve made that I have been thankful for every single day, because it provided so many opportunities for my own growth for research and for leadership opportunities.” 

For example, she explained, as Program Director she led the Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging Consortium (ACIC), a statewide collaborative quality initiative sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan that included 90 institutions in Michigan. The ACIC established the role of registries for real-world practice of cardiac CT, including dose reduction and appropriate use.

She said a big milestone in her career was seeing her work turn into standards of care and leading these initiatives when cardiovascular CT was “so brand new.”

“I’m proud of all these different phases of my career, especially many of the milestones that we achieved, for instance with the Michigan registry or with multicenter trials, and to see them going on to be incorporated into guidelines and into standards of care in cardiology has been very gratifying for me.”

Another rewarding milestone in her career has been growing with the Society over the past 20 years, she explained.

“And then to become involved in SCCT at a very early stage and to come to this phase with the encouragement and with the support of so many others who have come before me – it’s been an incredible journey.”

Dr. Chinnaiyan is only the second female president of the Society, following Leslee Shaw, PhD, MSCCT, (2016 - 2017) someone Dr. Chinnaiyan describes as incomparable.

One lesson she adopted from Dr. Shaw was to lead in her own way and to be a leader as unique as she – a lesson she hopes to impart on younger generations.

“I want this to be a message for women in our field: It’s time to step forward and take charge – you never have to be anyone else; you just have to be you. Ultimately, if you want change, you need to be that change. And if you want things to change in this field then the only way to do that is to be at the table.”

She said the first step to being at the table is to begin the process of engagement and stay with it, “no matter what.”

Looking to the future

During her year as president, she said her top priority will be to raise awareness about the environmental impact of cardiac imaging and work with the community to reduce overutilization.

“We are at the crossroads of a huge explosion in cardiac CT, in its use and applications,” Dr. Chinnaiyan said. “It’s already included in guidelines and as the first line of diagnosis in many situations.”

“However with great power comes great responsibility, because I don’t think there is a wide enough and deep enough understanding of the impact of the greenhouse effects created by the use of imaging, such as CT, MRI, SPECT imaging and cardiac catheterization.”

This greenhouse effect, she explained  — created by both the utilization of imaging as well as the storing of large amounts of data in the age of artificial intelligence use and post-processing of its data — is “not negligible, but actually quite significant” and needs to be investigated further.

“I remember when we first began with CT, the emphasis was really on appropriate use, and at that time the main concern was radiation dose,” she said. “We did an incredible job of reducing radiation dose and addressing the appropriate use criteria in significant ways over the past 20 years.”

“But now with the exposure of this technology and a push towards using it – many times appropriately – we may have come back to that original question of appropriate use and address the implications for the next generation, who have to deal with the consequences of an overuse of imaging modalities.”

Her second priority is to shed light on the inequity of care in cardiac CT use, increasing utilization where it is needed and decreasing utilization where it is overused, she said. She stressed the importance of understanding access issues as well as working together to understand what the Society can do to address those issues.

Dr. Chinnaiyan succeeds Immediate Past President Maros Ferencik, MD, PhD, MCR, MSCCT. Dr. Ferencik is professor of Medicine and Radiology, section head of Cardiovascular Imaging, at Oregon Health & Sciences University.

SCCT thanks Dr. Ferencik, as well as the 2024 - 2025 leadership team for their dedication and commitment. Special thanks go to the members rolling off the Board, including Dr. Suhny Abbara, former president and the 2024 SCCT Gold Medal Award recipient, who served on the Board for the past 17 years:

• Suhny Abbara, MD, MSCCT
• Anjali Chelliah, MD, FSCCT
• Jill Jacob, MD, FSCCT
• Barbara Srichai-Parsia, MD, FSCCT

SCCT is pleased to introduce the 2025 - 2026 SCCT Executive Committee:

• President: Kavitha Chinnaiyan, MD, MSCCT
• President-Elect: Ronen Rubinshtein, MD, MSCCT
• Immediate Past President: Maros Ferencik, MD, PhD, MSCCT
• Vice President: Kelley Branch, MD, MSc, FSCCT
• Treasurer: Cristina Fuss, MD, PhD, FSCCT
• Secretary: Ahmad Slim, MD, FSCCT
• Member at Large: Lynne Koweek, MD, FSCCT

SCCT 2025 - 2026 Board Members:

• Juan Batlle, MD, MBA, FSCCT
• Marcus Chen, MD
• Tim Fairbairn, MBChB, PhD, FRCP
• Sandeep Hedgire, MD, FSCCT
• Omar Khalique, MD, FSCCT
• Pal Maurovich-Horvat, MD, PhD, MPH, FSCCT
• Kanae Mukai, MD
• Ming-Yen Ng, MBBS, FSCCT
• Julie O'Brien, MD, FSCCT
• Nikkole Weber, R.T. (R)(M)(CT)(ARRT) CSCCT
• Jonathan Weir-McCall, MBChB, PhD, FSCCT
• Michelle Williams, MBChB, PhD, FSCCT
• Pamela Woodard, MD, MSCCT

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About the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography

Founded in 2005, the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) is the international professional society devoted to improving health outcomes through effective use of cardiovascular computed tomography (CCT). SCCT is a community of physicians, scientists and technologists from over 85 countries advocating for access, research, education and clinical excellence in the use of CCT. For more information, please visit www.SCCT.org.

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The award recognizes clinical trials that use computed tomography coronary angiography (CCTA) and/or CCTA-based analyses to detect atherosclerotic burden in the diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD), as well as demonstrate a positive impact on patient outcomes.

"We are honored to support the 2025 SCCT Clinical Trials and Registries Award and celebrate the contributions of thought-leading clinical trialists," stated James K. Min, MD, MSCCT, founder and CEO of Cleerly. "Through our support of this award, we recognize the impactful contributions in cardiovascular care through innovative research and we commend Dr. McCarthy’s dedication to advancing both knowledge and equality with his work."

Dr. McCarthy’s winning submission – “Guiding implementation of preventive care strategies for patients with atherosclerotic plaque on coronary computed tomographic angiography: Primary outcomes of the DECIDE (Artificial Intelligence-DErived Plaque Quantification: CCTA and AI-QCPA for Determining Effective CAD Management) Registry” – investigates the influence of artificial intelligence-derived quantitative coronary plaque assessment (AI-CPA) on patient management decisions in patients with atherosclerotic plaque.

Dr. McCarthy is a cardiologist and cardiovascular imager at Massachusetts General Hospital and an instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

SCCT will present Dr. McCarthy with the award at the opening session of the Society’s 20th Annual Scientific Meeting (SCCT2025) on Friday, July 18 at Palais des Congrès de Montréal, Canada, followed by a presentation of his study.

“SCCT offers our congratulations to Dr. McCarthy for his study with the DECIDE Registry, a submission which stood out for its strong study design and methodology, as well as its potential for impact on the field of cardiovascular CT,” said ASM Program Committee Chair and President-Elect Kavitha Chinnaiyan, MD, MSCCT. “We’re thrilled to recognize the impact his research will have on the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular disease and look forward to his presentation next month.”

The judging panel named Jorge Dahdal, MD as runner-up for his submission, “CCTA outperforms coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring for cardiovascular risk prediction in young patients,” which used the Amsterdam-Turku Cohort registry to compare the prognostic value of CAC scoring with CCTA-derived plaque quantification across different age groups.

Dr. Dahdal is a research associate at Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC). He will present his study and receive this award at the Best Original Science session of SCCT2025, which will take place 11:30am-12:45pm on Saturday, July 19, 2025.

In addition to the spotlighted presentations, the CTRA comes with a $10,000 prize for first place and $5,000 prize for runner-up; one year of membership in SCCT; complimentary Annual Meeting registration; travel support to Montréal; 3 nights’ accommodation and a plaque.

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About the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography
Founded in 2005, the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) is the international professional society devoted to improving health outcomes through effective use of cardiovascular computed tomography (CCT), with members from over 85 countries. SCCT is a community of physicians, scientists and technologists advocating for access, research, education and clinical excellence in the use of CCT. For more information, please visit https://scct.org.

About Cleerly
Cleerly is the company on a mission to eliminate heart attacks by creating a new standard of care for heart disease. Through its FDA-cleared solutions driven by artificial intelligence, Cleerly supports comprehensive phenotyping of coronary artery disease, as determined from advanced noninvasive CT imaging. Cleerly’s approach is grounded in science, based on millions of images from over 40,000 patients. Led by a world-class clinical and technical team, Cleerly enhances health literacy for each and every stakeholder in the coronary care pathway. For more information, please visit: cleerlyhealth.com.

About the 20th Annual Scientific Meeting of SCCT (SCCT2025)
SCCT2025 – the preeminent meeting focused on cardiovascular CT – will be held July 17 - 20, 2025 in Montréal, Canada. The SCCT Annual Scientific Meeting is designed to engage physicians, trainees, technologists and healthcare professionals in a complete overview of the cardiovascular CT field. Planned sessions are targeted for all levels, from new practitioners to experienced providers. Sessions range from general overviews to state-of-the-art research and expert discussions. For more information, please visit https://scct.org/SCCT2025.

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Join us

2026 SCCT Gold Medal Award for Distinguished Service

Ed Nicol, MD, MBA, MSCCT

Professor of Cardiovascular Imaging at King’s College, London

Consultant, Royal Brompton and Chelsea & Westminster Hospitals

Wing Commander, RAF Consultant Cardiologist

This medal recognizes Dr. Nicol's exemplary leadership of SCCT, as displayed throughout his nearly two decades of membership in the Society and particularly during his 10 years of service on the Board of Directors. A past president (2023–2024), Dr. Nicol has been a key influence on SCCT education, serving in over 75 chair and speaking roles in the past 8 years, as well as on the JCCT Editorial Board.

During his leadership of the Education Committee (2018–2021), SCCT implemented a new task force structure that has provided pathways for dozens of SCCT members to engage in meaningful ways in planning and delivering the Society’s in-person, on-demand and live virtual education, which was especially valuable during the COVID pandemic.

Dr. Nicol has been instrumental in establishing the SCCT Global Meeting as a cornerstone of the Society’s in-person education outside the U.S., supporting a succession of program chairs in planning outstanding scientific programs in seven cities around the world, and working with staff and others to ensure their financial success.

2026 SCCT Stephan Achenbach Pioneer Award in Cardiovascular CT

Jonathon Leipsic, MD, FRCPC, MSCCT

Professor of Radiology and Cardiology

Head, Department of Radiology

Canada Research Chair in Advanced Cardiopulmonary Imaging

University of British Columbia and Providence Healthcare

SCCT is honoring Dr. Leipsic for his extensive contributions over the past two decades as a transformative leader in the development and clinical integration of cardiac CT. His work has helped establish CCTA as an essential tool for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease, structural heart planning and the evaluation of complex cardiovascular conditions.

Dr. Leipsic's work has been instrumental in advancing the use of cardiac CT for procedural planning and risk assessment in TAVR and TMVR. His contributions have significantly improved procedural safety and outcomes, shaping global standards in the rapidly evolving field of structural heart disease intervention.

A past president of SCCT and the recipient of the Gold Medal Award in 2019, Dr. Leipsic is also recognized as a committed mentor, supporting the work and careers of numerous clinicians and imagers.

2026 SCCT Arthur S. Agatston Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Award

Michael Shapiro, DO, MCR, FACC, FAHA, FASPC, FSCCT

Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine

Director, Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Wake Forest University School of Medicine

SCCT selected Dr. Shapiro for this award in recognition of his dedication to advancing the understanding and management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with particular emphasis on lipid disorders and early detection of risk. Through his influential body of research, he has helped illuminate the complex relationships between lipoproteins, inflammation and cardiovascular risk, translating scientific discovery into practical strategies for prevention. His work has contributed to the growing integration of advanced cardiovascular imaging with lipid management, helping clinicians better identify high-risk individuals and tailor therapies to prevent future events.

In addition to his scientific achievements, the award recognizes Dr. Shapiro's work as an educator and mentor who has trained and inspired the next generation of clinicians and investigators in preventive cardiology. His commitment to multidisciplinary collaboration has strengthened the role of imaging and prevention in contemporary cardiovascular care.

Serving as a JCCT reviewer is a meaningful way to:

• Contribute directly to the advancement of cardiovascular CT
• Stay at the forefront of emerging science and clinical innovation
• Build your academic profile and strengthen your CV
• Engage with JCCT editors and SCCT leadership
• Earn CME
• Gather credits towards meeting the requirements for FSCCT

Register as a peer reviewer

View the top JCCT reviewers of 2025

Learn more about FSCCT designations

About the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography
Founded in 2005, the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) is the international professional society devoted to improving health outcomes through effective use of cardiovascular computed tomography (CCT). SCCT is a community of physicians, scientists and technologists from over 85 countries advocating for access, research, education and clinical excellence in the use of CCT. For more information, please visit https://scct.org.

About the Journal of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography 
The Journal of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (JCCT) is a peer-review journal of the SCCT that integrates the international cardiovascular CT community and addresses a broad range of topics affecting cardiovascular CT imaging. The journal’s major focus is on original research and on the clinical and technical aspects of cardiovascular CT. For more information, please visit www.journalofcardiovascularct.com.

The following members secured the MSCCT designations last year:

• Ronald Karlsberg, MD, MSCCT
• Ronen Rubinshtein, MD, MSCCT

The following members earned the FSCCT designation:

• A. Sami Abuzaid, MD, FSCCT
• Shuai Leng, PhD, FSCCT

The FSCCT and MSCCT designations recognize those Society members who show evidence of an ongoing commitment and contribution in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases through cardiovascular computed tomography research, education and patient care, following completion of training.

“The designations of Master and Fellow of SCCT showcase the extraordinary expertise and experience of our most committed members,” said SCCT President Maros Ferencik, MD, PhD, MSCCT. “We offer our congratulations to Drs. Karlsberg, Rubinshtein, Abuzaid and Leng on this milestone accomplishment last year, and thank them each for their commitment to the Society and moving the field of cardiovascular imaging forward.”

Members can apply for the FSCCT or MSCCT designations on the Society’s website.

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About the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography 
Founded in 2005, the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) is the international professional society devoted to improving health outcomes through effective use of cardiovascular computed tomography (CCT). SCCT is a community of physicians, scientists and technologists from over 85 countries advocating for access, research, education and clinical excellence in the use of CCT. For more information, please visit https://scct.org/. 

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SCCT shares the sad news of his passing on October 20, 2024, at age 75. Professor Kalender’s groundbreaking work in CT imaging, from pioneering spiral CT to innovations in dose reduction, has profoundly impacted diagnostic radiology. His leadership at the Institute of Medical Physics at Friedrich-Alexander University and contributions to cardiac CT imaging have left an enduring legacy in imaging. His work will continue to benefit the field and inspire future generations.

Learn more