Harvey Nisenbaum, emeritus professor of radiology at HUP and chair of medical imaging at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, died on October 8 of complications from glioblastoma. He was 77.

Born in Boston, Dr. Nisenbaum graduated from Boston Latin School, then earned a BS at Tufts University School of Engineering in 1965 and an MD at Tufts University School of Medicine in 1970. He completed a surgical internship at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York and a residency in diagnostic radiology at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx.

He was commissioned a lieutenant commander in the US Navy and served as the director of ultrasound at the former Naval Regional Medical Center in Philadelphia from 1974 to 1976. In 1976, he joined the faculty of Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, where he served until 1993 as head of the Ultrasound Section and acting chairman of Einstein’s Department of Radiology and president of the medical center’s staff. During this time, he was also a faculty member at Temple University’s School of Medicine. He held a number of administrative leadership positions there, including president of medical staff, chair of the division of diagnostic radiology, and seats on the board of trustees and the executive committee. He was also the chairman of the department of radiology at the Philadelphia Geriatric Center.

Dr. Nisenbaum joined Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine as a lecturer of radiology in 1993. In 1996, he became an associate professor and clinician-educator in radiology. Five years later, he became chairman of the department of medical imaging at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, a position he held until 2018. In 2002, he also became an associate professor of radiology at Penn Presbyterian.

His tenure at Penn Presbyterian was influential. “Under his leadership, the department introduced tremendous scientific advances in medical imaging into clinical practice, and greatly expanded its contribution to the hospital’s mission,” Penn Presbyterian posted in an online tribute.

While at Penn, Dr. Nisenbaum served on 19 hospital committees and was a strong proponent of medical education and professional training. In his free time, Dr. Nisenbaum performed volunteer work with the World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, bringing ultrasound technology to developing countries. After retiring from Penn Presbyterian in 2018, he took a yearlong sabbatical to pursue this volunteer work. He retired from Penn’s department of radiology in 2019 as chairman emeritus.

During his career, Dr. Nisenbaum received many accolades. In 2015, he won the Perelman School of Medicine’s Special Dean’s Award, which recognizes “outstanding achievements in medical education by faculty members, particularly in the development of new and innovative educational programs” (Almanac April 28, 2015). Earlier this year, he was recognized with the Peter H. Arger, MD Excellence in Medical Student Education Award from the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. Also this year, Penn’s Department of Radiology created the Harvey Nisenbaum Award for Medical Imaging Research at Penn Presbyterian. It will be given for the first time in 2021.

Dr. Nisenbaum was a member of 15 medical and professional societies and served on 140 committees. He was president of the World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, the Pennsylvania Radiological Society, and the Greater Delaware Valley Ultrasound Society. He had a pivotal role in integrating ultrasound technology into medical school programs.

Dr. Nisenbaum is survived by his wife of 45 years, Sylvia; his son, Eric; and eight nieces and nephews.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, a celebration of life will be held later. Donations in his honor can be made to the Harvey L. Nisenbaum, MD Memorial Fund for Glioblastoma Research. Checks should be made payable to Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania and sent to Penn Medicine Development, Attn: Sheryl Garton, 3535 Market St., Suite 750, Philadelphia, Pa. 19104. Gifts may also be made at www.pennmedicine.org/NisenbaumMemorial

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