Dr James Carr: Ireland lost one of its best-known diagnostic clinical radiologists when Dr Jim Carr, consultant radiologist at Beaumont Hospital, passed away in January. Born in 1933, he was educated at Belvedere College in Dublin. He began studying medicine at University College Dublin in 1951, graduating in 1957.
He did his house jobs at the Mater Misericordiae Hospital. Before starting radiology training, he spent a year and half on missionary work in Korea, where he made lifetime connections with a number of Columban Fathers.
His radiological training took place in Glasgow and then London, and he returned to Ireland as consultant radiologist at Bons Secours Hospital, Glasnevin, in 1966 and then moved on to St Laurence's Hospital in 1969. During his time there he oversaw installation of Ireland's first Cat scanner, which was commissioned in 1977.
This period coincided with an enormous expansion in the scope of diagnostic radiology to incorporate ultrasound, CT scanning and the development of the entirely new specialty of interventional radiology. He undertook the huge task of transferring diagnostic radiology services from St Laurence's (Richmond) Hospital to Beaumont Hospital, where he served as administrator of the new combined radiology services from both Jervis Street and St Laurence's hospitals. He fused these two very different departments with great skill, showing unique ability as an administrator and negotiator.
During his active clinical life, Dr Carr was a gifted diagnostic radiologist who made many contributions to the radiologic investigation and diagnosis of gastrointestinal, respiratory and vascular disease. He was a pioneer in interventional radiology in Ireland and he undertook courageous new techniques in the treatment of vascular and biliary diseases. He was a renowned teacher and a senior lecturer in radiology and examiner in radiology for the fellowship examination of the faculty of radiologists in the Royal College of Surgeons.
He served on the board of the faculty of radiologists for 10 years, and was dean of the faculty from 1985 to 1987. The faculty oversees all matters of standards of care and accreditation for diagnostic radiology within Ireland. During his active deanship he set up an overseas training programme in Kuwait.
Dr Carr edited and organised publication of A Century of Medical Radiation - An Anthology in 1995. This learned, accessible multi-authored volume is a hugely useful and unique record of the early days and development of radiologic services in Ireland. He maintained close contacts with international developments, and was an active participant in the European Society of Radiology. He also served as president of the Radiogical Society of Ireland.
Dr Carr will be remembered as an honest and sincere "gentleman of radiology". His greatest enjoyment was as a family man with his wife Imelda, daughters and sons, with whom he enjoyed a happy but too short retirement in Carraroe, Connemara.
James Carr: born, April 6th, 1933; died January 21st, 2006