The Society of Gastrointestinal Radiologists was founded in 1971 under the leadership of Drs. Alexander R. Margulis and Richard H. Marshak, who organized a founding committee composed of themselves, H. Joachim Burhenne, William Seaman, and Walter Whitehouse. These individuals were motivated by a strong belief that the many new developments in the field of gastrointestinal radiology had created a need for an organization which could meet annually to review research and disseminate new knowledge to radiologists interested in this aspect of radiology.

Since this Society was dedicated to the advancement of gastrointestinal radiology, it was deemed appropriate to establish an annual lecture in memory of Walter B. Cannon, the pioneer physiologist who initiated gastrointestinal radiology as a result of his study of esophageal peristalsis of a goose at Harvard University Medical School in 1898. The first Walter B. Cannon Memorial Lecture was given in 1972. This lecture is presented by a medical professional who has made outstanding contributions to knowledge of the gastrointestinal tract and abdomen.

In 1972, the Walter B. Cannon Medal was established to honor individuals who have made exceptionally significant contributions to gastrointestinal radiology.

Since 1974, the Society has sponsored an annual postgraduate course in gastrointestinal radiology. The course objectives are to review contemporary technical and diagnostic information on abdominal imaging including fluoroscopy, ultrasound, CT scanning, magnetic resonance imaging and interventional procedures; and to present current research in all areas of abdominal imaging.