Oncologist uncovers dark past of imaging in Nazi Germany
Growing up in Germany, Franziska Eckert, MD, always knew her grandparents were involved in World War II, but her parents always downplayed their roles.
The 37-year-old radiation oncologist decided to dig deeper, revealing the murderous truth behind her ancestors and the actions of many radiologists in Nazi Germany, Reuters reports.
For example, the investigation, published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology, uncovered that German medical doctors used radiation to forcibly sterilize 7,200 disabled women during the war. They would later use chest x-rays to confirm tuberculosis in Polish captives, who were then killed.
While many medical professionals committed unspeakable atrocities, Eckert also discovered Nazis persecuted nearly 160 doctors who had practiced radiology—including Leopold Freund, MD, who is considered a founder of medical radiology and was forced to flee from Austria to Belgium in 1939, Reuters reports.
“Everyone is so proud of him, and no one talks about him being a victim of National Socialism,” Eckert said in the story.
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Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.