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Thomas Ptak, MD, PhD, MPH

Academic Title:

Professor

Primary Appointment:

Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine

Administrative Title:

Vice Chair of Community Affairs, Diagnostic Radiology & Nuclear Medicine

Phone (Primary):

(410) 328-1524

Education and Training

Education

1977 - 1981     B.S. (Computer Science), Fitchburg State University 

1981 - 1983     B.S. (Biology), Fitchburg State University

1983 - 1985     M.S. (Chemistry), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 

1985 - 1987     PH.D. (Nuclear and Radiochemistry), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 

1986 - 1990     M.D.,  Albany Medical College of Union University

1998 - 2000     M.P.H., Harvard School of Public Health, Clinical Effectiveness                                

Post Graduate Education and Training    

1990 - 1991     Internship, General Medicine, Faulkner Hospital


1991 - 1995     Residency, Diagnostic Radiology, Lahey Clinic Medical Center


1995 - 1997     Fellowship, Neuroradiology, Massachusetts General Hospital

Certifications

1991                National Board of Medical Examiners


1996                American Board of Radiology - Diagnostic Neuroradiology Radiology

1997                American Board of Radiology - CAQ 

Biosketch

Dr. Ptak is a board certified diagnostic radiologist with certificate of added qualification in neuroradiology.  His clinical and research focus are in trauma and emergency radiology with special interest in trauma and emergencies of the central nervous system.

Highlighted Publications

Hanley M, Ahmd O, Chandra A., Ptak T, et al. ACR Appropriateness Criteria Clinically Suspected Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation. J Am Coll Radiol 2016;13(7):796-800.

Rao S, Rao S, Rincon S, Caruso P, Ptak T, Raja AS, Prabhakar AM, Harvey HB. Assessment of Pediatric Neurotrauma Imaging Appropriateness at a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center. J Am Coll Radiol 2016;13(7):788-793.

Sonis JD, Miller ES, Borczuk P, Ptak T. Seizure and Fever. J Emerg Med. 2016 May;50(5):773-777. 


R Weiss, EM Azene, BS Maldalany, AF AbuRahma, Ptak T, et al. ACR Appropriateness Criteria Sudden Onset of Cold Painful Leg. J Am Coll Radiol 2017;14(15):S307-S313.

Expert Panels on Neurologic and Vascular Imaging: Schroeder J, Ptak T, Corey AS, et al. ACR Appropriateness Criteria Penetrating Neck Trauma. J Am Coll Radiol 2017 Nov;14(11S):S500-S505.  

Clinical Specialty Details

Dr. Ptak established the first whole-body, multi-planar screening trauma evaluation using volumetric CT technique, first introduced in 1998-99. He was the first to publish and present on this technique nationally in 1999, thus influencing and establishing imaging beyond standard single body segment axial imaging for the evaluation of multi-trauma patients.

Awards and Affiliations

Honors and Awards         

1983 Outstanding Student in Biology, Fitchburg State University, in recognition of outstanding performance in the biology curriculum

1985 Phi Lambda Upsilon, Chemistry Honor Society, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, for distinguished performance in chemistry research 


1986 Sigma Xi, Research Honor Society, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, for distinguished performance in academic research 


1990 Arthur M. Wright Award, Albany Medical College of Union University, awarded in recognition of exemplary leadership

1993 & 2001 Certificate of Merit, Radiological Society of North America 

2010 Certificate of Merit, European Society of Radiology


Grants and Contracts

Completed Grants:

1998-1999 (PI) Investigation of Altered Cerebral Perfusion Patterns in Patients with Hemoglobin-SS Disease Using Echo-Planar Perfusion Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Radiological Society of North America, Seed Grant