Schwarz Honored with SNMMI Michael J. Welch Award

Sally W. Schwarz, professor of radiology and nuclear pharmacist at Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology (MIR), has been named the 2023 recipient of the Michael J. Welch, PhD, Award. The award was created by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field of radiopharmaceutical sciences, mentored students, postdoctoral fellows and junior faculty, and have been involved in community service to the field of radiopharmaceutical chemistry and molecular imaging.

In 2016, Schwarz became SNMMI president, the first pharmacist and fourth woman to hold the position. In 2022, SNMMI created the Sally W. Schwarz Award on her behalf to recognize outstanding contributions to the field of radiopharmacy. Schwarz, who started her work at the forefront of the field when there were less than 100 nuclear pharmacies nationwide, helped design MIR’s state-of-the-art cyclotron facility and served as its co-director.

The Michael J. Welch, PhD, Award is funded through an endowed gift given to the Education and Research Foundation for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging by the Dr. Michael J. Welch Foundation in memoriam of Welch, a pioneering biochemist who passed away in 2012.