Stephen Lokitz, PhD
(SWC-SNMMI President 2023-2024)
Please tell us about yourself (where you are from, your primary medical interests, hobbies, etc).
I’m from Mississippi. I currently live in Shreveport, LA. My primary interest is in instrumentation (I’m a physicist), but I’ve rapidly been learning radiopharmaceuticals. Most of my time revolves around my large family (4 kids and 2 dogs), but when I have free time, I enjoy cooking (BBQ especially), watching sports (NCSU), and traveling (we’re a Disney family).
Give us your background information related to your professional training, including nuclear medicine, and what inspired you to enter this field.
My Ph.D. was in nuclear physics. I entered medical physics by accident as my wife matched at UNC for internal medicine, and I needed to find a job close by. Fortunately, the PET Center at Duke University was looking for a post-doc. I really enjoyed working at the PET Center and have now been in the field over 20 years.
What do you consider your primary contribution(s) to Nuclear Medicine?
I would consider myself a jack of many trades, but a true expert in none. Due to being the physicist at a small institution, I have not been able to specialize. I think one of my strongest skills is being able to communicate the intricacies of nuclear medicine (we do a lot of PR/fundraising here) in a way that is accessible to the layman.
In what year were you a SWC-SNMMI President, and how did you first become involved with the chapter?
I am currently the President (2023-24). I’ve been involved in the chapter for almost 15 years now starting with giving talks and graduating to leadership (I’ve been on the BOT for 9 years including a stint at Secretary).
Please describe anything else that you would like for your Nuclear Medicine colleagues to know about yourself.
How awesome the SWC is. It’s a remarkable group that has been inviting and open and just a joy to work with. The SWC does such good work and I’m proud to say I participated.