Eric M Hart

Eric M Hart, MD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Radiology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, specializing in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Imaging. He serves as Clinical Director of the Northwestern Medicine Lung Cancer Screening Program and was a key investigator in the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST), which proved lung cancer screening reduces mortality.

His educational background includes:

• MD: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (1988)
• Fellow: University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center (1993)
• Resident: University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center (1993)

Dr. Hart pioneered clinical lung cancer screening at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in 2000. His research focuses on thoracic imaging, lung cancer screening, and pulmonary nodule management, with recent expansion into AI-driven diagnostic models for chest radiography. His work addresses critical gaps in early lung cancer detection and pandemic-era imaging protocols.

Publications from 2020-2025 reveal a strategic shift from traditional thoracic pathology studies toward AI integration, particularly using deep learning to predict clinical outcomes in chest radiographs during the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining core expertise in lung cancer screening.

His awards include:

• Key Partner Award, Illinois Lung Cancer Roundtable (2024)
• America's Top Radiologist (2008)
• Chicago's Top Doctors (2007)
• Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society (1986)

As NLST investigator and current ACR Lung Cancer Screening Steering Committee Co-chair, Dr. Hart shapes national screening guidelines. His leadership extends to pandemic-era screening resumption protocols and advisory roles for the American Lung Association. Though no formal advising details are public, his mentorship is evident through collaborative publications.

He directs the Northwestern Medicine Lung Cancer Screening Program and contributes to multidisciplinary teams including the Rescue Lung Society and Illinois Lung Cancer Roundtable, driving clinical implementation of evidence-based screening protocols.