The Industry Loses a Director of Radiology to COVID-19

April 3, 2020 — The radiology world has lost a dedicated leader due to coronavirus (COVID-19). On March 29, Jeannie Danker, director of radiology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, died from suspected complications from the virus. She had worked at the center for more than 30 years. It was there that she met her husband, John, who tragically died after a struggle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) just two months prior.

“We will miss her friendship as well as her leadership and commitment to our institution, where she spent more than 30 years of her career,” the hospital said in a statement. “We extend our deepest sympathies to Jeannie’s family and those close to her.”

In a statement published by Central Ohio’s WBNS Channel 10 to his staff at the Wexner Medical Center, CEO Harold Paz, M.D., said he was "heartbroken" by the loss of Danker, who he called a beloved and dedicated colleague.

"She infused her administrative role with determination, selflessness and a patient-first attitude," he wrote. "More than anything, she loved her girls and her husband John, who passed away January 30," adding that she was "committed to pushing for what she believed was the right thing to do.”

"Jeannie always wanted to create 'teachable moments,' her family said. She would want people to know to take this disease seriously and follow the directions of public health," Paz concluded.

A GoFundMe page has been established for Danker’s two daughters, Jenny and Jill. More information can be found here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-jenny-danker

For a complete list of healthcare workers who have died of COVID-19: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/927976?src=soc_lk_share