The people of Erie are able to gain access to exceptional healthcare due to the many high quality facilities and providers in the area. When a patient enters a facility for a procedure, it is not often known the many contributions of local men and women that contribute to the success of that medical test or procedure not only by the expertise of physicians or surgeons; but also of researchers and scientists. Dr. Walter J. Rogers, Jr. made far-reaching contributions that impact the field of cardiology and magnetic resonance internationally.

Walter J. Rogers, Jr. was born in Erie on September 16, 1952 to Walter J. Rogers, Sr. and Irene Jares Rogers of Fairview, PA. He contracted polio at 18 months old and was inpatient at the Erie Shriners Hospital for Children for six months. Walt underwent numerous surgeries in his youth to strengthen his stricken leg and to stunt growth in the other leg. Wearing leg braces and undergoing hospital stays didn’t deter him. Walt approached life with enthusiasm and optimism. He enjoyed physically demanding sports such as skiing, tennis and golf, especially when good-natured competition was involved.

While working on his Bachelor of Science in Biology at Gannon after graduating from Fairview High School, Walter worked as tote board manager at the Commodore Downs Racetrack. His B.S. in Biology together with his knowledge gained in the area of computers at the racetrack landed him a position as Research Assistant in the Division of Cardiology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland in 1979. He moved to Baltimore with his high school sweetheart, Peggy Weber, after their marriage in February of 1979.

Walt’s time spent at Johns Hopkins was occupied with education, research and development. He was promoted from Research Assistant to Consultant in Nuclear Cardiology, Research Associate, Assistant Professor at the School of Medicine and to Cardiac Physicist while gaining his Masters of Science in Radiation Physics in 1991. He developed patents associated with MRI and co-wrote more than 15 peer reviewed articles working in the emerging field of cardiac magnetic resonance. He was instrumental in the development of the fundamental concepts of myocardial tissue tagging that has since been adapted and today is being used in many cardiac applications. His life was blessed during this time with the birth of his son Andrew and three years later his daughter Brittany.

Walter moved to Pittsburgh in 1993 to work at Allegheny General Hospital; joining a dynamic team including his long-time associate and close friend Dr. Christopher Kramer. Together they worked to reveal significant findings in cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) of MI (heart attack) patients. He was a founding member of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance. Always looking to further his knowledge, Walt began a concentration in vascular biology and gained his PhD in Cardiovascular Biology through Duquesne University in 2002.

In 2002, Walt accepted a position at the University of Virginia, joining the growing CMR group there making gains in the area of molecular CMR. He quickly became Vice Chair of Research for the Department of Radiology at UVA, being recognized for his leadership skills. The Chair of Radiology, Michael Dake, MD remarked Walt was known as “ a generous and considerate individual… a truly collaborative colleague, who happily applauded the success of fellow faculty with genuine admiration; a man whose easy enthusiasm for a variety of subjects and positive attitude provided unflinching support for co-workers that helped drive their projects to success.”

While many patients benefit from the research and development Walt accomplished in the fields of cardiology and magnetic resonance, they do so unwittingly.

The scientific community openly applauds how greatly influenced they have been by his passion, knowledge and indefatigable spirit. This was evidenced in February 2007 at the 10th Annual Scientific Sessions of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance and 6th Annual Meeting of the Working Group for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance of the European Society of Cardiology held in Rome, Italy on February 2- 4, 2007. The “Young Investigator Award for Clinical CMR Research” session was dedicated to the memory of Dr. Rogers. His many contributions to the field were highlighted in a eulogy by Dr. Robert Biederman from Allegheny General Hospital.

Anyone who personally knew Walt found a humble, loyal friend, witty companion, champion of any necessary cause and a very loving family man.

His life, shortened in duration by cancer, was certainly not lessened in intensity or significance. Walt’s far-reaching research, development, patents and zest for life certainly make him one of Erie’s prominent sons.

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