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This book, previously entitled simply Sonography in Obstetrics and Gynecology, is now entitled Fleischer’s Sonography in Obstetrics and Gynecology, in honor of the lead author, Arthur C. Fleischer, MD, whose brilliance, intellect, and experience have spanned eight editions.
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Arthur C. Fleischer was born in Miami, Florida in 1952. His parents were Lucille and Eugene. Lucille was a lifelong learner and educator, graduating from Hunter College in 1942 (when she was 17), obtaining a Master’s in Education from the University of Miami in 1951, and graduating first in her class at the University of Miami School of Law in 1958. Eugene attended the University of Miami after military service, became a general contractor in Miami, and was instrumental in starting a new Reform Jewish congregation, Temple Beth Am in Kendall, Florida. Art Fleischer’s grandparents were Hungarian immigrants who came to New York City from Budapest in 1921. As a child, Art was fortunate to excel at equestrian competitions and was state champion from 11 to 18 years of age. At Emory University, he completed his thesis on ultrasound enhancement of treatments and received his BS degree, magna cum laude, in biology in 1973. He met Lynn in 1974 through the introduction from a mutual medical school friend, and they were married in 1975.
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In 1976, he received the MD degree from the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta, and in 1980, he completed the Radiology Residency/Fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
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Dr. Fleischer began his medical career in 1974 as the Acting Director of Diagnostic Ultrasound at the Medical College of Georgia. He came to Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 1976 and has held the following positions: Acting Director of Diagnostic Ultrasound; Clinical Fellow in Ultrasound; Assistant Professor (Radiology and Obstetrics and Gynecology); and Associate Professor (Radiology and Obstetrics and Gynecology). Additionally, Dr. Fleischer was Visiting Professor in Radiology (Diagnostic Ultrasound) at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Presently, he is Professor of Radiology and Radiological Sciences (1987); Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Secondary) (1987); Medical Director of the Sonography Training Program (1981); and Medical Director of Ultrasound.
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Dr. Fleischer has been active in several specialty societies, including the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (Board of Governors, Fellow), the American College of Radiology (Fellow), the Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound (Fellow), and the Society for the Advancement of Women’s Imaging (Cofounder and President).
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Professor Fleischer has authored more than 200 research papers regarding clinical aspects of diagnostic ultrasound and 23 textbooks involving the use of diagnostic sonography in obstetrics/gynecology. He has received numerous awards and honors, among them are the Larry Mack Award for Best Research Paper by the Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound in 1998, the William Fry Award for Outstanding Contributions to Ultrasound by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine in 1999, the Frank H. Boehm Award for Contribution to Continuing Medical Education by Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 2005, and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Medical College of Georgia in 2007. In 2011, Dr. Fleischer was honored with the Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair in Radiology.
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Art and Lynn have three children, Braden, Jared, and Amy, and one grandson, Jakob. When asked about her father, Amy had the following words:
The essence of Dr. Fleischer (our dad, or “Daddio,” as we know him) is exemplified by an unconditional love of learning. Whether our family discussions took place at the dinner table or at his favorite lunch spot (let’s be honest, most of our chats involved food), he always exuded an enthusiasm for learning.
In fact, the most valuable gift our dad gave us (besides life itself!) is his infectious curiosity. His passion for new technology is not only evidenced by the every-growing stack of medical and academic publications he has authored (during his 40-year career) but also by the abundant sea of gadgets in his office! His thirst for innovative tools and technology is unquenchable, even when our mom threatens to purge his “toys” in order to make a path through the house.
In amongst these toys, a plethora of textbooks, articles, photos, and old x-ray films make our home a monument to his staggering medical career. To us, such tangible evidence—of which this book is now a vital part—will always serve to represent his most deeply held belief in the value of asking good questions while seeking new understanding about the world.
Amy Fleischer, MS, OTR/L, on behalf of Art’s three children
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Luis Gonçalves, MD, has the following observations:
There are moments in life when one wonders about how the Universe conspires to align with perfection those people who eventually become a permanent part of our path on Earth. I would like to take this moment to acknowledge the opportunity of having Arthur Fleischer cross my path 24 years ago at Vanderbilt University. Art has certainly inspired me then and will continue to inspire those of us who have been fortunate enough to have crossed his path and know first-hand the enormity of the human being who teaches and leads with a light heart.
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Eugene C. Toy, MD, on behalf of the tens of thousands of physicians, sonographers, residents and students who have been touched by Dr. Art Fleischer, has these words:
Art Fleischer has been a tremendous inspiration to everyone around him. He has an amazing sense of humor, a conscientiousness that goes far beyond the normal “call of duty,” and a dedication to women’s health through imaging and the prevention and diagnosis of disease. Art is an amazing educator, and I have sat in his conferences amazed at how much he is able to teach—from the anatomical structures, to the imaging, to the disease. More than all of this, Art has a tremendous love for people and cares so deeply about all of those who are fortunate enough to cross paths with him. One physician who was in a medical school radiology rotation with Art summed it up: “I don’t know how so much knowledge, and so much zeal, and so much compassion can be in one person!” Dr. Fleischer has been one the cornerstones in advancing imaging in women’s health over the past 40 years, particularly in the areas of gynecologic ultrasound. Not only has he propelled this embryologic science into a maturing and exciting field in science and information, he has also put his own personal heart and soul into gynecologic sonography. I feel so fortunate to be able to call Art Fleischer my friend, mentor, and inspiration. For the tens of thousands who use imaging to help treat women, and the millions of women who are dependent on this modality for their care, we pause a moment to give tribute to a man who worked tirelessly in his significant contributions to the science and art of gynecologic sonography. For this reason, we have entitled this book, Fleischer’s Sonography in Obstetrics and Gynecology.