Dr. Robert Gould Retires After 40 Years at UCSF Imaging
After 40 years of service and dedication to the UCSF Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Robert Gould, ScD, professor and vice chair of Technology and Capital Projects, has announced his retirement. Dr. Gould’s career is intrinsically linked to the history and success of the department. During his tenure, he’s played a significant role in patient care and research, as well as in the implementation of the department’s Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) and in the installation and operation of clinical and research radiology equipment across the six campuses in the department.
Since 2002, Dr. Gould has served as the Director of the Laboratory of Radiologic Informatics. In this role, he’s been responsible for the complex, challenging and multi-year project of planning, rolling-out and upgrading the department’s PACS. In addition, he’s played a central role in planning, overseeing and executing every installation and construction project in the department during the last 25 years.
“He really never says no to any challenge,” explains department Chair Dr. Arenson. “From the cyclotron installation at China Basin, to selection of nearly every piece of clinical equipment in all of the UCSF hospitals and clinics, including Benioff Children’s and the new women’s and cancer hospitals at Mission Bay, Dr. Gould has been instrumental. It is nearly impossible to describe the impact he’s had on selection, installation, and operation of equipment throughout the department.”
From a research perspective, Dr. Gould’s work is far-reaching. He’s been involved in system-wide research on radiation reduction and is widely published and quoted on the topic. He also helped to develop the early prototypes for fusion imaging – something now so ubiquitous in radiology departments around the world that we forget the concept of PET with CT or PET with MR was once completely foreign, shared Dr. Arenson.
During his four decades in the department, Dr. Gould has both advised and represented the department on multiple UCSF-wide committees, including the Medical Center Capital Budget Committee, the UCSF Campus Radiation Safety Committee, the Radioactive Drug Research Committee, and the Medical Center Radiation Protection Committee. Through his involvement in these committees, he has been a leader and vocal advocate for radiation safety within the Department, the Medical Center and the UCSF Campus.
His hard work and dedication to patient care, research, and technology will continued to be appreciated as we wish Dr. Gould farewell in his current capacity. We are fortunate that he has agreed to return part-time after a brief break, so we will continue to have his wise advice, counsel, and help. Please join the department in wishing Dr. Gould a happy – and well-deserved – retirement and thanking him for his years of service, commitment, and accomplishments at UCSF.