Carlos A. Perez (1934-2023)
Carlos A. Perez, undated
Carlos A. Perez was an internationally recognized specialist in radiation oncology who has made important contributions to the clinical management of patients, especially those with gynecologic tumors and carcinoma of the prostate and of the breast. Throughout his career, Perez was motivated by his belief in providing patients with a genuine sense of caring and an understanding of their disease as well as their psychological and emotional needs.
Perez earned his medical degree in his native Colombia, South America at the University of Antioquia School of Medicine in Medellin in 1960. Following a one-year residency in Colombia, Perez came to the United States and Washington University School of Medicine. Following three years as a radiation oncology resident at the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology and a one-year fellowship in radiotherapy at M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute in Houston, Perez returned to Mallinckrodt as an instructor in radiology. In 1966 Perez initiated a program for the specific training of radiation therapy technologists.
Perez was named a professor of radiology in 1972 and in 1976 he assumed the directorship of the Radiation Oncology Center, one of four divisions of the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology. Under Perez’s leadership, the Radiation Oncology Center developed a strong research core resulting in significant contributions to cancer treatment, amplifying the effects of radiation with chemotherapy and hyperthermia. In 2001 the Center became a separate academic department of the Washington University School of Medicine, with Perez as its first chairman. Perez remained in that role until the fall of 2004.
A strong advocate of the human aspect of medicine, Perez was instrumental in the founding of the Cancer Information Center (CIC) in 1977 – the first resource facility of its kind in the United States, providing medical information and resources as well as emotional support to cancer patients. He was the recipient of many honors, including the CRILA Gold Medal in 2000, the Gold Medal of the American College of Radiology in 1997, and the Gold Medal of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology in 1982. He served as a Trustee of the American Board of Radiology from 1985 to 1997 and has served on the Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society.
Perez was a prolific author, with over 300 scientific articles to his credit. He was co-editor of the most comprehensive text on radiation oncology, Principles and Practice of Radiation Oncology. In addition, he co-edited of two other well-regarded standard textbooks – Principles and Practice of Gynecologic Oncology and Radiation Oncology: Management Decisions.
Information on Carlos Perez was researched and written by Ellen Dubinsky