2016 Saul Hertz, MD, Award

Application Window: September 1, 2015 – October 27, 2015

DESCRIPTION:

2016 year marks the 75th anniversary of the first reported treatment of humans with an artificially produced radioactive material. In January 1941, Dr. Saul Hertz administered cyclotron produced a I-130 - I-131 mixture as a therapeutic dose to the first human patient at MGH, to a patient with Graves’ (Graves' Disease).

In honor of the professional achievements of Dr. Hertz, SNMMI established a new life-time achievement award to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to therapy.

Dr. Hertz was born on April 20, 1905, to Aaron Daniel (A.D.) Hertz and Bertha Hertz in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from the University of Michigan with Phi Beta Kappa honors. He received his M.D from in 1929, and performed his internship and residency at Cleveland's Mount Sinai Hospital. In addition to the aforementioned innovative medical use of I-130-I-131, Dr. Hertz was the first and the foremost to develop the experimental data on radioiodine (RAI) and apply it in the clinical setting to treat hyperthyroidism. Dr. Hertz utilized RAI as the first and what has become the gold standard in targeted therapies as a treatment for cancer. He envisioned an expansion of nuclear targeted cancer therapies in The American Weekly June 2, 1946 article when he stated, "...demand is expected for radioactive iodine and as research develops in the fields of cancer and leukemia for other radioactive medicines."

He influenced the development of through his research and instruction at both Harvard and MIT. Dr. Hertz was an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School and Harvard University from 1946 - 1950. His teaching included an attachment to the Nuclear Physics Department at Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 1939 - 1950.

The development of radioactive iodine in the treatment of thyroid disease is a cornerstone upon which nuclear medicine was built. Barbara Bush, who was successfully treated for Graves' Disease, wrote to Vitta Hertz, his widow, “It is comforting to know that so many people are well because of the scientific expertise of people like Dr. Hertz.”

Applications for the 2016 award will be accepted starting Tuesday, September 1, 2015 with a closing date for submission of Tuesday, October 27, 2015. This award is a non-monetary, achievement award.

SCOPE:

The recipient of the Saul Hertz, MD Award will be required to attend and present at a special session during the SNMMI Annual Meeting to be held June 11-15, 2016 in San Diego, California. In this 90 minute session the achievements of Dr. Hertz will be recognized. The Hertz award recipient will be presented a certificate and will speak of his or her contributions to radionuclide therapy. In addition, a second presentation will be given by a current investigator selected for carrying out cutting edge work in targeted radionuclide therapy.

REQUIREMENTS:

Nominees must be a current SNMMI member and exemplify outstanding achievements in contributing to radionuclide therapy. Applicants will be asked to provide curriculum vitae and two letters of recommendation in support of the applicant. The Nominator is responsible for providing the following materials:  A completed application  The CV of the nominee  Letter of support and include 2 additional letters of support

An Award Candidate Supporter is responsible for:  writing a letter in support of the award candidate

Serious applicants only, please. Questions regarding eligibility requirements or application contents should be directed to the Mary McMahon, Director of Development, at [email protected] or at 703-326-1194.

Selection will be based on a combination of the following criteria:  Record of professional achievement over one’s career  Demonstrated commitment to the field of radionuclide therapy evidenced by prior leadership or participation in committees/associations