Suzanne LeBlang Named Chief Medical Officer

Published:

The Foundation welcomes a leading focused ultrasound clinician to the team as Chief Medical Officer.

LeBlangSuzanne LeBlang, MD, is a neuroradiologist and an early adopter of focused ultrasound who has used the technology to treat research and commercial patients for more than 10 years. Dr. LeBlang will organize working groups to devise clinical protocols, serve as a liaison to the clinical research community, and represent the Foundation at medical conferences.

“I’m thrilled to bring my clinical experience to the Foundation and believe in our mission to promote the adoption of focused ultrasound across various medical and surgical specialties,” said Dr. LeBlang. “I joined the team because I truly believe in the benefits and potential of this technology. The Foundation is instrumental in providing funding for both preclinical and clinical studies and ensures the international collaboration among scientists and physicians to expedite worldwide adoption and help patients suffering from a wide variety of diseases.”

Dr. LeBlang’s research “Leiomyoma Shrinkage After MR-Guided Focused Ultrasound Treatment: Report of 80 Patients,” published in Radiology in 2010, was one of the first papers to document that a more extensive nonperfused volume after ablation resulted in greater fibroid shrinkage. She has also presented many papers at national meetings, bringing attention to important topics regarding focused ultrasound treatment of fibroids–such as thickness of the subcutaneous fat layer and the T2 signal intensity affecting treatments. Importantly, her research has also brought attention regarding the importance of the MR screening exam within the OB GYN community, as it helps to triage patients to the most beneficial treatment and detects other coexistent pathologies, such as uterine and other cancers that may otherwise have been undiagnosed with ultrasound screening. She has also participated in several worldwide focused ultrasound clinical trials for fibroids and a clinical trial for patients with painful bone metastases.