Bruce Hillman, MD
It is with great sadness that we announce and mourn the passing of Bruce J. Hillman, MD, who died on the morning of January 9, 2024. Dr. Hillman was a renowned radiologist and a former chair of the School of Medicine’s Department of Radiology from 1992 to 2003.
Dr. Hillman attended Princeton University and received his medical degree from the University of Rochester. He trained in radiology at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital and Harvard Medical School where he spent an additional year as a National Institutes of Health research fellow, specializing in genitourinary radiology. Dr. Hillman rose through the academic ranks at the University of Arizona, becoming professor and vice chair of radiology in 1985. In 1992, he was appointed chair of the UVA Department of Radiology where he played a key role in developing UVA’s first outpatient imaging center, and also oversaw the transition from film-based imaging to a PACS system. He also served as president of the Health Services Foundation, the UVA physicians’ corporation.
Dr. Hillman greatly influenced the broader medical landscape as an educator, researcher, and leader. He presented hundreds of talks, authored more than 400 publications, served as the editor-in-chief of three peer-reviewed journals and was the founding editor of both the Journal of the American College of Radiology and Academic Radiology. He also founded and chaired the American College of Radiology Imaging Network, a clinical trials cooperative group funded by the National Cancer Institute.
Dr. Hillman served organized radiology in many volunteer leadership roles, including being the president of five different radiological societies and a member of the American College of Radiology Board of Chancellors for 19 years. Dr. Hillman was also awarded the Gold Medal by the Radiological Society of North America, Association of University Radiologists, Society of Uroradiology, and American College of Radiology; as well as being recognized by the ACR with its 2015 Luminary Leadership Award.
As a professor emeritus, Dr. Hillman remained engaged with UVA from his home in North Carolina. In all of these endeavors, he will be remembered fondly for his expansive vision, brilliance, and creativity. His drive to succeed and tenacity to achieve difficult things were traits that laid the foundation for his long and illustrious career.
The School of Medicine mourns the loss of this pioneer in radiology and medicine. Dr. Hillman had a lasting impact on the University, the School, and countless patients and students during his time at UVA. He will be missed.
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