APCO mourns the passing of, and pays tribute to Professor Harry K Genant, a friend, respected colleague, and a true legend in the bone field.

Dr Genant was Professor Emeritus, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), and Senior Consultant, and Chairman Emeritus of Bioclinica-Synarc, Inc. – a global contract research organization he co-founded in 1998, specializing in quantitative imaging and bio markers for large multinational clinical trials.

During his illustrious 30-year tenure at UCSF, Prof Genant also founded the Osteoporosis and Arthritis Research Group that led international research on the development and assessment of non-invasive and quantitative imaging methods for osteoporosis, arthritis, and orthopaedics. The Genant Semiquantitative index developed by Prof Genant and his colleagues at UCSF for evaluating osteoporotic vertebral deformities, is just one of his many innovative contributions to the field of musculoskeletal radiology.

The brilliant scientist and educator was an acclaimed pioneer in the field of MS Radiology, for which he received innumerable international awards, including the prestigious Medal of Achievement and the Olof Johnell Science Award from the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), and the Paul D Miller ISCD Service Award from the International Society for Bone Densitometry (ISCD).

He also mentored countless young fellows in the field of MS Radiology globally, who then went on to be leaders in their own right and to hold illustrious positions in the field in their respective countries.

Prof Genant was a true gentleman who treated everyone, from young and upcoming clinicians and investigators, to senior colleagues with the utmost respect. He loved travelling, was a connoisseur of fine and beautiful things, and had an incredible zest for life that was a joy to behold. Warm, compassionate, and blessed with a great sense of humour, he remained fit and active until the very end. He will be sorely missed, and has left a void in the hearts of many people worldwide.

“Harry Genant was a dear colleague and friend who I could approach anytime I had a query or doubt to clear in the field of Musculoskeletal science. He took great pride in every accomplishment of his juniors including that of mine and was always generous and unstinting in his compliments. He was a source of inspiration, not only in the scientific arena, but also inspired me to be a better human being. I will miss him dearly,” said APCO Chairperson, Dr Manju Chandran, Singapore.

“Harry was a true gentleman in our field and a teacher, mentor and friend to so many internationally! He pushed forward the horizons of bone imaging in his own inimitable and elegant way. We will all miss him, including Manju and I, his fellow IOF Board Members,” said APCO Executive member, Professor Peter Ebeling, Australia.