Birgit B. Ertl-Wagner, MD, PhD, Joins RSNA Board as Liaison for Science

Birgit B. Ertl-Wagner, MD, PhD, an internationally respected leader in neuroradiology and medical imaging research, has been elected to the RSNA Board of Directors as the liaison for science.

“Serving on the Board is an utmost honor, and I am deeply committed to supporting RSNA’s growth and excellence,” Dr. Ertl-Wagner said. “During my term, my goal is to foster innovation through impactful education, support meaningful research and champion the integration of cutting-edge technology. I will strive to help make a positive, lasting impact on RSNA and the radiology community and help radiology professionals deliver the highest quality care and drive improvements that benefit patients and the medical community as a whole.”

Dr. Ertl-Wagner currently serves as radiologist-in-chief of the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto, where she holds the prestigious Derek Harwood-Nash Chair in Medical Imaging. She is also a senior associate scientist in the Neurosciences & Mental Health Program of the SickKids Research Institute and a professor in the Department of Medical Imaging at the University of Toronto.

Her clinical expertise centers on pediatric neuroradiology, including imaging of brain tumors, neuroinflammatory and metabolic disorders, neurovascular conditions, and diseases of the head and neck. Her research, which reflects a deeply interdisciplinary approach, focuses on MRI, AI-based imaging tools, and the translation of imaging science into clinical practice.

A longtime contributor to professional societies around the world, Dr. Ertl-Wagner has held active roles in RSNA, the Canadian Association of Radiologists, the German Radiological Society, the European Society of Radiology, the American Society of Neuroradiology, and the American Society of Pediatric Neuroradiology. Her service to RSNA has included roles as committee member, program planner, and abstract reviewer. She is regularly recognized among the top neuroradiologists in both Europe and North America.

Dr. Ertl-Wagner has also made a lasting mark on radiology publishing. A recipient of the RSNA William R. Eyler Editorial Fellowship in 2012, she has served as a Deputy Editor for Radiology, senior consultant to the editor for Radiology and Radiology Advances, and as a member of editorial boards for numerous international journals.

Her dedication to education and mentorship has been recognized with back-to-back RSNA Honored Educator Awards in 2023 and 2024. She has served on numerous committees for scientific organizations and received multiple awards for both her research and teaching contributions.

Dr. Ertl-Wagner received her medical degree and completed her residency and fellowship at Ludwig-Maximilian University in Munich. She later earned a Master of Health Business Administration from Friedrich-Alexander University in Erlangen-Nuremberg and completed a research fellowship with the American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN).

With her election to the RSNA Board, Dr. Ertl-Wagner brings a wealth of clinical, scientific, and educational leadership to the role, helping guide the future of radiologic science and innovation on a global scale.