Charles Arnold, MD
(SWC-SNMMI President 2004-2005)

Give us your background information related to your professional training, including nuclear medicine, and what inspired you to enter this field

I am from Midland, Texas.  I went to undergrad at Texas Tech and Medical School at UTMB in Galveston, TX.   I did Internal Medicine initially and then became interested in imaging, especially Nuclear Medicine.  “Fun and Games” with radioactivity was very exciting to me.  I completed Nuclear Medicine Residency at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 1994. After completing my residency I ran a mobile Nuclear Medicine Service in Oklahoma from 1995 until 2011.

What do you consider your primary contribution(s) to Nuclear Medicine?

I have been working in the Nuclear Medicine Section of the Radiology Department of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences center since 1997.  As Chief of the Nuclear Medicine section, we had a strong Nuclear Cardiology program.  Our Myocardial Perfusion Studies have all been attenuated-corrected since we got our first SPECT/CT.  We also do FDG PET Myocardial viability studies and cardiac sarcoid PET studies as well.  I collaborated with the Cardiology Department and served as the preceptor to the Cardiology fellows for the Certification Board of Nuclear Cardiology.

In what year were you a SWC-SNMMI President, and how did you first become involved with the chapter?

I have been going to chapter meetings since my residency in 1992.  I first served on Board of Trustees then was program co-chair for the 2002 Annual Meeting. I was President of the Chapter 2004-05.

The Southwestern Chapter holds a special place in my professional life because of all the wonderful people I have met throughout the years.  I encourage everyone to attend and participate as much as possible.  I am retiring April 1, 2024, and anticipate making some rogue appearances at future meetings.