ABOUT PHILIP B. KIVITZ
Philip B. Kivitz, MD, Adjunct Professor of Radiology (Retired), Lifetime Honorary Medical Staff, School of Medicine, Stanford University, a pioneer in modern breast imaging and breast health care, developed the Breast Evaluation Center/San Francisco (BEC/SF) in the 1980's. He revolutionized the role of breast-imaging radiologists while creating a new breast healthcare experience for patients.
CLINICAL CARE
- the first facility headed by a radiologist which accepted self-referred patients as well as those referred by physicians;
- the first to perform all necessary imaging and procedures the same day;
- the first facility at which the radiologist tells the patient her medical reports at the visit’s conclusion;
- the first to offer management of benign breast diseases. When surgery was needed, patients were referred to vetted breast surgeons.
IMAGING & MQSA
Dr K’s training as a technologist as well as radiologist informs his work ensuring quality images. On-site supervised hands-on training of mammography technologists to attain optimal positioning and effective compression is a special interest.
As an American College of Radiology senior reviewer and inspector for the FDA-administered MQSA since its inception, Dr Kivitz has reviewed thousands of images submitted for accreditation, visited dozens of mammography facilities and trained hundreds of technologists throughout the US. The training goal is always the same: to easily perform positioning and compression that meet MQSA standards. (Incorrect positioning technique and/or insufficient/inadequate compression are the most common causes for MQSA failure).
ULTRASOUND
Dr Kivitz developed the first ultrasound service for the hospital during his residency. Building on this experience, ultrasound became a significant part of his clinical practice. Completing his residency and being certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Radiology, he soon established what is believed to be the first non-hospital diagnostic ultrasound service in a private office.
The first certification examination for ultrasound technologists was administered in San Francisco during which Dr Kivitz was one of the examiners. He assisted, with others, establishing early standards for ultrasound imaging.
Dr K, with his extensive ultrasound experience, recognized the importance of the FDA-approved water-bath, automated, whole-breast ultrasound equipment. It became a building block for better breast disease diagnosis when the BEC/SF opened its doors in the 1980.
INDUSTRY AND INNOVATION
Consulting for medical start-ups and established companies ranges from training neural networks and software development to innovative breast diagnostic hardware development. Dr Kivitz, an original thinker, is an innovative force in the breast health space. Extensive clinical and academic experience informs his concepts for a user-friendly approach to product development.
EDUCATION
A unique opportunity for mammography technologists: receive supervised hands-on positioning and compression training in her own work space AND receive the required annual CE credits A (ASRT). This Quality Improvement (QI) project is designed to improve and maintain the technologist’s skills for consistent mammography images that meet MQSA standards. Stressing easier breast positioning and effective compression, these sessions highlight the most common causes for MQSA failure that befall a mammography facility.
TEAM BUILDING — ON-SITE, AT YOUR FACILITY
In the 1990’s, “Mammography Interpretation for the Technologist”, a two-day course approved for 15 CE credits ASRT, was presented annually in 12-14 locations across the US. Technologists learned what radiologists seek in the images to make a diagnosis. MQSA positioning standards and techniques for accomplishing these images with less fatigue were prominent in the 15 hours.
SELECTED INVITED LECTURES
“NEW ULTRASOUND TECHNIQUES IN BREAST DISEASES” Presented: Regional Cancer Foundation, San Francisco, Ca, 22 November, 1980
“AUTOMATED BREAST ULTRASONOGRAPHY” Presented: A.C.O.G. 28 April, 1982
“EXPERIENCE IN ESTABLISHING AND RUNNING A MULTIMODALITY BREAST DIAGNOSTIC CENTER” Presented: Society for the Study of Breast Disease, San Francisco, CA, 3-4 November 1984
“CYCLICAL BREAST CHANGES EVALUATED USING A TOMOGRAPHIC ULTRASOUND SCANNER” Presented: International College of Radiology, Brussels, Belgium, June 1991.
“ELECTRICAL STERILIZATION OF HUMAN MAMMARY TUMORS IN BALB/c NUDE MICE” Presented: Biological Electrical Circuits Group, Beijing, China, October 1992.
Keynote plus five lectures Presented: “Breast Cancer”, Rio de Janero, Brazil 1999
Keynote plus four lectures Presented: “Breast Newest Information”, Porto Allegre, Brazil 2001
“HOW TO ESTABLISH A MAMMOGRAPHY QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM”, “MQSA INSPECTIONS: HOW TO PERFORM ONE” Presented: Turkish Radiology Society, Training program for radiologists to implement MQSA program, Ankara, Turkey, 30 September – 1 October, 2007
“BREAST CANCER: STATUS QUO AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SOLUTIONS” Presented; WEBINAR, Worldwide originating Palo Alto, 7 April, 2011
“GLOBAL BREAST CANCER”, “BREAST CANCER DETECTION METHODS”, “ASSURING QUALITY: AUDIT AND ACCREDITATION – ACR AS EXAMPLE” Presented: “Advanced Course on Mammography” ICTP-IAEA, Trieste, Italy, 3-7 October, 2011 (International Center for Theoretical Physics-International Atomic Energy Agency)
“COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES: PATIENTS AND HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS” Presented: Cancer Prevention Institute of California, San Francisco, 3 March, 2012
NUMEROUS LECTURE TOPICS Presented during various workshops, Chair of programs, Ormylia, Greece, 2001 - 2012
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
“BREAST ULTRASONOGRAPHY: When Should the Physician Choose It?” The Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 27, (11), 675-678, 1982
“THE TECHNOLOGIST AS A TEACHER”, RT Image, 9, (22), 18-20, 1996
“EVIDENCE IS IN: Begin Mammography at 40”, Radiologic Technology, 68, (3), 239-240, 1997
“WORDS TO LIVE BY”, RT Image, 10, (2), 8-10, 1997
“ACCURATE LANGUAGE SPEAKS FOR ITSELF”, RT Image, 10, (21), 31-32, 1997
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