In July 2023, we changed our name from AACC (short for the American Association for Clinical Chemistry) to the Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (ADLM). The following page was written prior to this rebranding and contains mentions of the association’s old name. It may contain other out-of-date information as well.
1995 Outstanding Contributions Through Service to the Profession of Clinical Chemistry
Roger L. Boeckx will receive the 30th annual award, sponsored by Beckman Instruments.
Boeckx was born in Gent, Belgium. At age 10, he moved to Winnipeg, Canada, where he completed his secondary and post-secondary education. In 1968, he earned a B.S. degree in chemistry from the University of Winnipeg, followed in 1973 by a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Manitoba.
Boeckx began his career in clinical chemistry at The Health Sciences Centre and the University of Manitoba School of Medicine in Winnipeg. Between 1973 and 1978, he held the position of assistant director of clinical chemistry and assistant professor of biochemistry and pathology. During this time, he also served as a member of the senate of the university and president of the University of Manitoba Alumni Association.
In 1978, Boeckx moved to Children’s Hospital in Washington, DC. During his 9-year stay in Washington, he rose to the position of director of clinical chemistry at Children’s Hospital, and professor of pediatrics and pathology at the George Washington University School of Medicine. In 1980, he was certified by the American Board of Clinical Chemistry. From 1985 to 1987, he served as a member of the Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Toxicology Devices Panel for the Food and Drug Administration.
In 1987, Boeckx joined the Diagnostics Division of Abbott Laboratories as Manager of Research and Development in the Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Business Unit. He is currently Director of Research and Development and is responsible for Immunoassay Technology in the Diagnostics Divisions. His current research interests at Abbott Laboratories are focused on the development and evaluation of novel immunoassay technologies.
Boeckx has published 60 articles, books, and book chapters, primarily in the areas of pediatric clinical chemistry, therapeutic drug monitoring, and toxicology. He has lectured extensively on these topics, and has presented over 80 abstracts, workshops, and invited lectures worldwide.
Boeckx has been an active member of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) since 1975. He has been a member and chairman of numerous AACC committees and has served on the Board of Directors. At the present time he is chairman of the Arnold O. Beckman Conference Committee and a member of the Meetings Management Group. He has also been a director of the American Board of Clinical Chemistry and of the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry. He has served on the editorial boards of Clinical Chemistry, Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, and The Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis. He is the treasurer of the International Association for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Clinical Toxicology. He is also a member of the American Chemical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
In 1974, Boeckx received the E.L. Drewry Memorial Scholarship for Excellence in Research at the University of Manitoba. In 1982, he received a Presidential Award from AACC. In 1985, he was awarded the Joseph H. Roe Award of the Capital Section of AACC, and in 1988, he received the Miriam Reiner Award, also from the Capital Section of AACC.
Boeckx lives in Libertyville, IL, with his wife Shirley and their two sons, David and Michael.