An Enduring Legacy

Robert I. Grossman

American Journal of Neuroradiology

Bob Quencer has been either deputy editor (1984–1997) or editor-in-chief (1998–2005) of the AJNR from 1984 to 2005, distinguishing him as the Cal Ripkin, Jr., of major league scientific journalism! Under his stewardship the AJNR has thrived. In terms of its impact, the journal now ranks second to Radiology among clinical radiology journals. Electronic usage is extraordinary, with more than 900,000 full-text HTML hits from January 2005 to August 2005 alone. Our subscriber base is more than 5000, and we remain consistently profitable in an increasingly challenging business environment. Because of Bob’s diligence, the highest standards in scientific journalism and editing are the norm. Those who have experienced his editorial handiwork are fortunate; he can turn a mediocre piece of writing into a first-rate article. The clarity of his thoughts, his integrity, and his work ethic are nonpareil. Bob has lived and breathed AJNR. It is because of his purposeful single-mindedness that the AJNR has flourished.

By any metric Dr. Quencer has had a remarkable career. After obtaining his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Cornell University and his MD from Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse, he completed his radiology residency at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center (1968–1971), followed by a neuroradiology fellowship (1971–1972) at the Neurologic Institute of New York. His academic endeavors began at Downstate Medical Center (1972–1976). In 1976, he moved to the University of Miami, where he was section chief of neuroradiology and director of MR. Since 1992, he has been professor and chairman of the Department of Radiology at the University of Miami and chief of radiologic services at Jackson Memorial Hospital. He now also holds the Robert Shapiro Professorship and is professor of neurologic surgery and ophthalmology. Dr. Quencer has published more than 200 original manuscripts, has proffered more than 200 invited presentations worldwide, has served on numerous national committees, and is considered one of the preeminent world experts on spinal cord diseases. He has been the principal investigator of an NIH-sponsored investigation on the injured spinal cord. He also served the American Society of Neuroradiology as vice president (1992–1993), president-elect (1993–1994), and president (1994–1995).

On a personal basis Bob is highly intelligent, extremely well-read, and as thoughtfully engaging a person as one could have the pleasure to meet. He has a beautiful family, with a wonderful wife, Chris, and 2 spectacular children, Keith, a medical student at the University of Florida, and Kevin, a law student at Washington and Lee University Law School. Bob and Chris are outstanding golfers and sports aficionados. They truly enjoy their lives together and are a model for living the good life.

As the new editor-in-chief, I am reluctant to let Bob just retire to the nineteenth hole. His talents and experience are far too valuable to the journal. He has graciously agreed to become the book editor of the AJNR. More important, his wisdom will be just a phone call away, and I plan on availing myself of his judgments frequently. The journal and the society owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude. For me he will always be the “gold standard,” and I feel most privileged to follow in his gigantic footsteps.