Magnetic Appeal: MRI and the Myth of Transparency

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments M any people contributed to this book. Of the many who shared their time and ideas, I want to highlight the following. I thank the physicians, technologists, and scientists who discussed their professional training, work practices, and perspectives on medicine with me. Without their participation this book would not exist. I also thank the data specialists who helped me along the way. Researchers at the American College of Radiology, American Medical Association , American Society of Radiologic Technologists, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Food and Drug Administration, General Electric, Hitachi, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, and Radiological Society of North America provided invaluable data for this book. My investigations of medical imaging technologies began at Boston College. The faculty and students in the sociology department created an open-minded, vibrant intellectual milieu. I especially thank Jeanne Guillemin, Stephen Pfohl, Juliet Schor, Stefan Timmermans, and Diane Vaughan for their careful reading and constructive feedback on my writing and for their support over the years. As the book evolved, I benefited from the contributions of the editors and staff at Cornell University Press. Peter Wissoker’s subtle humor and helpful advice made the book writing process an enjoyable journey. I thank Ange Romeo-Hall for superb editing and Susan Barnett for exceptional marketing and publicity. I appreciate the anonymous reviewers’ suggestions for the manuscript. Their insightful criticisms made Magnetic Appeal a stronger piece of analytical work. Family and friends gave multiple forms of support for this project. Donna Joyce, Edward Scanlon, Shirley Scanlon, Mari Sullivan, Jim Sullivan , and Kate Sullivan provided writing havens and good company. Alice Joyce and Jack Joyce shared plant-, food-, and art-related adventures. Christy Burns, Jane Geaney, Elaine Marolla, and Shashwat Pandhi joined me for long urban hikes that helped clarify ideas and offered necessary respites. The following people commented on components of this book. For this intellectual labor and gift, I thank Julia Garrett, Adria Goodson, David Hogge, Laura Holliday, Kimberly Mann, Elaine Marolla, Shashwat Pandhi, Celine Pascale, J. C. Poutsma, Timmons Roberts, Dee Royster, and Kate Slevin. I particularly thank Laura Mamo, T. L. Taylor, and Keith McGowan for dedicating time, energy, and good will to this project. Laura shared her friendship, professional wisdom, and careful editorial eye. T. L. listened to my ideas, offered sound advice, fielded emergency edits, and helped in the quest for clarity. Keith read every page of the manuscript at least once, talked through ideas, and offered enthusiasm and support throughout the writing process. I thank the Schroeder Center for Healthcare Policy and the Office of the Provost at the College of William and Mary for financial support, and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences of Boston College for a University Dissertation Fellowship. Parts of chapter 2 were published as “From Numbers to Pictures: The Development of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and the Visual Turn in Medicine,” in Science as Culture (2006) 15(1): 1–22; and an early version of chapter 3 was published as “Appealing Images: Magnetic Resonance Imaging and the Construction of Authoritative Knowledge ,” in Social Studies of Science (2005) 35(3): 437–462. I dedicate this book to my mother, Donna Joyce. I learned the value of steadfastness and style from her work ethic and keen imagination. Growing up reading her nursing books and magazines taught me to love and enjoy science. Listening to her stories about medicine helped me understand the human dimensions of health care. viii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS MAGNETIC APPEAL This page intentionally left blank. ...