Cheri Canon, M.D., FACR, FSAR, FAAWR, president, UA Health Services Foundation; chief physician executive, UAB Health System; professor emerita, UAB Heersink School of Medicine Department of Radiology, recently received the 2026 SAR Gold Medal Award, the highest honor presented by the Society of Abdominal Radiology (SAR). The award recognizes outstanding and sustained contributions to abdominal radiology.
“It is a huge and humbling honor to receive the SAR Gold Medal, made even more special in that it will be presented by my friend and UAB colleague, Dr. Desiree Morgan, who received the medal last year,” Canon said.
Established in 2019, the SAR Gold Medal combined the Society’s top honors, the Walter B. Cannon Medal, the Howard M. Pollack Medal, and the Lifetime Achievement Award into a single distinction. It is presented to current or past SAR members whose careers demonstrate significant impact and commitment to the Society’s core values, including clinical excellence, collaboration, mentorship, integrity, and service.
Canon joined SAR in 1998 and became a fellow in 2012, eventually serving as board president from 2022-2023. She reflects on her first experiences with the organization.
“I attended my first SAR (then SGR) meeting in 1996, when I also presented my first scientific abstract as a second-year resident,” Canon recalled. “This launched my career as an abdominal radiologist.
Canon said her mentor and former UAB Radiology chair, Robert Koehler, M.D., was a key sponsor for her in the Society.
“Some of my most impactful mentors and sponsors came out of my work with SAR,” Canon said. “Probably the most special to me is that many of my lifelong professional friends arose from my time with the society.”
Canon’s selection reflects her longstanding contributions to abdominal imaging, leadership within the field, and dedication to education and patient care.
“SAR is my clinical specialty home, and it provides a wonderful opportunity to learn cutting-edge abdominal imaging and network with leaders in the field.”