Notable Alums
Specialty: Pediatrics,Radiology
Graduation Year: 1954
William McAlister
William McAlister, M.D. ’54, is a professor of Radiology and of Pediatrics for the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Mo.
One of the world’s leading radiology experts in skeletal dysplasias and metabolic bone disease in children, he is known for his research related to the treatment of patients with hypophosphatasia, a genetic disorder that disrupts the normal development of bone and teeth. His research has resulted in more than 600 publications.
Dr. McAlister served as section chief of Pediatric Radiology at Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology and St. Louis Children’s Hospital for more than 40 years before stepping down in 2006. Today he continues to take full call duty. His lifelong contributions to patient care have been at the forefront of many innovations and improvements in image assessment. In 2017, the university recognized him with its Distinguished Clinician Award.
He has held multiple leadership positions, including serving as president of the Society for Pediatric Radiology. The society awarded Dr. McAlister its Gold Medal in 1998 in recognition of his contributions to Pediatric Radiology. He has been active in the American College of Radiology and in the American Board of Radiology. He has received Distinguished Service Awards from Washington University and St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
After earning his medical degree from the Wayne State University School of Medicine, he completed residency and fellowship training at Cincinnati General Hospital. He joined the Washington University School of Medicine faculty in 1960.
One of the world’s leading radiology experts in skeletal dysplasias and metabolic bone disease in children, he is known for his research related to the treatment of patients with hypophosphatasia, a genetic disorder that disrupts the normal development of bone and teeth. His research has resulted in more than 600 publications.
Dr. McAlister served as section chief of Pediatric Radiology at Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology and St. Louis Children’s Hospital for more than 40 years before stepping down in 2006. Today he continues to take full call duty. His lifelong contributions to patient care have been at the forefront of many innovations and improvements in image assessment. In 2017, the university recognized him with its Distinguished Clinician Award.
He has held multiple leadership positions, including serving as president of the Society for Pediatric Radiology. The society awarded Dr. McAlister its Gold Medal in 1998 in recognition of his contributions to Pediatric Radiology. He has been active in the American College of Radiology and in the American Board of Radiology. He has received Distinguished Service Awards from Washington University and St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
After earning his medical degree from the Wayne State University School of Medicine, he completed residency and fellowship training at Cincinnati General Hospital. He joined the Washington University School of Medicine faculty in 1960.