Saul Hertz

SaulHertz Portrait

Saul Hertz (April 20, 1905 – July 28, 1950) was an American physician and medical researcher who is best known for his pioneering work in the field of nuclear medicine. He is credited with the discovery and development of the medical uses of radioiodine (RAI) for the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease.

Early Life and Education

Saul Hertz was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended Harvard University, where he earned his undergraduate degree. He then went on to receive his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in 1929.

Career

After completing his medical education, Hertz joined the staff at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston. It was here that he began his groundbreaking research into the use of radioiodine. In the late 1930s, Hertz collaborated with physicist Arthur Roberts to explore the potential of using radioactive isotopes in medicine.

Discovery of Radioiodine Therapy

In 1936, Hertz proposed the idea of using radioiodine to treat hyperthyroidism, a condition characterized by an overactive thyroid gland. His hypothesis was that the thyroid gland, which naturally absorbs iodine, would also absorb radioactive iodine, thereby allowing targeted treatment of the gland. This led to the first successful treatment of a human patient with radioiodine in 1941.

Contributions to Nuclear Medicine

Hertz's work laid the foundation for the field of nuclear medicine. His research demonstrated that radioiodine could be used not only for the treatment of hyperthyroidism but also for the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer. This innovation has had a lasting impact on the management of thyroid diseases and has paved the way for the use of other radioactive isotopes in medicine.

Later Life and Legacy

Saul Hertz continued his research and clinical work until his untimely death in 1950. His contributions to medicine have been widely recognized, and he is considered a pioneer in the field of nuclear medicine. The use of radioiodine remains a standard treatment for thyroid conditions to this day.

See Also

• Nuclear medicine
• Radioiodine
• Thyroid disease
• Hyperthyroidism
• Thyroid cancer
• Massachusetts General Hospital
• Harvard Medical School