Dr. John J. Wild, Pioneer of Diagnostic Ultrasound  

Awards

1991 Japan Prize Ceremony, Tokyo, Japan

In 1991, Dr. Wild was awarded the prestigious Japan Prize in Imaging Techniques in Medicine for his development of ultrasound imaging in medicine by the Science and Technology Foundation of Japan.  He was recognized for his contributions to the development of diagnostic ultrasound.  His 1949 work at Wold Chamberlain Naval Air Base in Minneapolis was recognized by the Science and Technology Foundation of Japan for the first successful application of ultrasound for medical diagnosis.  He was also recognized as the first pioneer of medical ultrasonic imaging for developing a 2-dimensional ultrasound image employing B-mode equipment. 

In 1998, Dr Wild was the recipient of the Frank Annunizo award presented by the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation.  As the pre-eminent pioneer of modern diagnostic medical ultrasound, Dr. Wild was recognized for his creativity, vision and breadth of accomplishment are outstanding in the development of this universally important field of medicine. 

In 2000, Dr. Wild was recognized by the University of Minnesota's School of Medicine for Life-time Achievements in Research, Innovation and Medicine.  In 2000 he also received the Ian Donald Technical Achievement Award from the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology.  He was recognized in 1997 by the World Federation of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology for his contribution to advancing ultrasound throughout the world and in 1991 for his pioneering contributions to the development of ultrasound.     

Dr. Wild is an Elected Honorary Member of the Japan Society of Ultrasound in Medicine (1990).  He is also an honorary member (1989) of the British Institute of Radiology, a Fellow of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) and is the recipient of the AIUM's 1978 Pioneer Award.   

In 1972, a Hennepin County district court jury awarded Dr. Wild $16.3 million, which included a world record damage award for defamation.  The lawsuit was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount in 1981.  Dr. Wild's verdict held as the largest defamation award in the Guinness Book of World Records until the early 1990s.  

Last modified: January 13, 2003