The Mission of the Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging at the University of Virginia is to provide compassionate, caring, and high quality medical imaging and image-guided therapy services to improve the quality of life for our patients and their families. Our leadership role in the scientific advancement of medical imaging and image-guided therapy services in a cost-efficient, less invasive, and safe manner, while educating our referring physicians, physicians-in-training, medical students, allied health professionals, hospital administrators, legislators, and payers remains critical to our mission. Our research and scholarly activities will continue to generate innovative solutions and new knowledge that makes a difference for patient care and the future of healthcare.
This 2025 Annual Report was created by UVA Radiology Marketing.
Lead Designer & Photo Editor: Britney Butch Lead Writer & Editor: Henry Lin-David Director of UVA Radiology Marketing: Karen Barden
FROM THE CHAIR
Welcome to our 2025 Annual Report. It is hard to capture all the progress, changes, and transitions that occur over a year in such a large department, but this report certainly captures most of the highlights. As you will see, we continue to have a great culture that values each other, patient care, education, and research. We have a lot to show for that too.
As I look back at the year, I’m struck by how much better I know people here compared to my first days as chair, and how I more deeply appreciate what a special department we have. At the end of the day, it is about two things: people and culture. These two components are essential to our clinical mission, and mean that our faculty and staff are dedicated to providing the best care and service for patients and our referring physicians.
We also offer truly great educational training, including two residency programs, seven fellowship programs, and many other teaching programs across all aspects of the department. We have outstanding educators within our faculty and staff, thoughtful program leaders, and capable and devoted support staff. But we also get great trainees, people who maintain a culture of owning one’s education and valuing the autonomy and responsibility that comes with being health providers.
Lastly, we have faculty engaged in world-class research to drive the field of radiology forward. Some of that is highlighted here in this report, particularly our polarized gas pulmonary imaging program. That program is a testament to the benefit of building on strengths; the success of the team can be attributed to critical mass of bright and hardworking physicists and physicians involved in this program over many years, our great grant administration team, and the institutional investment in the necessary hardware and other resources.
Thank you all for your support and thank you for your part in making this such a special community.
Sincerely,
Colin P. Derdeyn, MD Chair, UVA Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging
CLINICAL Completed MRI Suite Expansion
Offers Advantages for Patients, Providers
On Monday, April 14, a small group convened within the University of Virginia’s University Medical Center to witness a special event: a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and tour of the long-awaited MRI suite expansion.
“It really is a spectacular facility,” said Colin Derdeyn, MD, chair of UVA’s Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging. “It’s going to have a great impact.”
One particularly meaningful upgrade is the incorporation of a fourth MRI scanner within the hospital. Before the expansion, the MRI suite contained just three scanners for the entire medical center. For nearly four years, the department has utilized an additional trailer-based MRI scanner behind the hospital — though this has created inefficiencies with staffing and patient flow.
Now with the fourth MRI scanner located in the hospital, patient imaging workflow “will significantly improve,” said James Carnes, UVA Radiology’s medical center administrator. Plus, the expansion includes a “shell space” for a potential fifth MRI
scanner in the future, which would increase capacity even further.
Besides scanner space, the MRI suite expansion offers other benefits. These include additional preparation and recovery space for patients, as well as a designated anesthesia support area for patients with sedation needs.
This project has been a long time coming. The expansion occupies space that formerly held the Interventional Radiology suite, which moved to the South Tower in early 2020. But although planning began nearly 6 years ago, construction met an unexpected roadblock.
“The project was originally scheduled to commence in the fall of 2020 and the expansion to be open in 2022,” said Carnes. “But the pandemic intervened and the project was significantly delayed.”
Today, the expanded MRI suite is finally functional and seeing patients — thanks to the multiyear work of several individuals and teams. Among them: UVA’s MRI team and off-site anesthesia team, UVA Capital Construc -
tion & Renovation, Siemens, UVA Radiology’s Director of Inpatient Imaging Rich Hooper, Carnes, and many other individuals across UVA Health and beyond. And although the project faced uncertainties, it now has the chance to impact patients and providers alike.
“I’m relieved and thankful that we’re finally able to open the expanded MRI suite to facilitate patient care and to improve workflow for our MRI team and the off-site anesthesia team,” said Carnes. “And I’m sincerely grateful to the organization’s support of the project.”
FIRST IN VIRGINIA
Two Cancer Treatments; Two Virginia Firsts
In June, UVA’s Division of Interventional and Vascular Radiology completed two milestone procedures within the state: Virginia’s inaugural procedure for histotripsy, a novel non-invasive treatment for liver tumors; and its first case of percutaneous hepatic perfusion (PHP) with the Hezpato Kit, a targeted chemotherapeutic for the treatment of a rare but aggressive metastatic cancer.
UVA Health is the first hospital in Virginia – and one of a handful of places nationwide — to offer histotripsy, which uses focused ultrasound to treat cancerous tissue. After a patient is put under general anesthesia, the ultrasound waves create a “bubble cloud” within tumors in order to irreversibly damage the cancer cells. The procedure is promising for shorter recovery time, involves no radia-
tion or dose limit, is noninvasive, and can be performed on patients with health conditions that might prevent surgery.
Meanwhile, PHP offers a new option to patients with uveal melanoma that has spread to the liver. Utilizing a blood-filtering system to deliver chemotherapy directly to the liver, the procedure requires a multi-specialty approach, a perfect match for the collaborative care at UVA.
“These procedures could not have been done without the hard work and dedication of many individuals,” said Associate Professor Daniel Sheeran, MD, who performed both procedures. “From our clinic, to nursing, to technologists, to the many people whose faces I never met – on pharmacy, pre-auth, facilities, and
Daniel Sheeran, MD Director of UVA’s Historipsy Program
more. We are so proud to be able to now offer these two promising therapies at UVA.”
Cree Gaskin, MD, Named Chief Medical Imaging Officer for UVA Health
Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging Professor Cree Gaskin, MD, took on an important new role last year as UVA Health’s Chief Medical Imaging Information Officer.
In this new position, Dr. Gaskin offers strategic insight into imaging information technology across the health system. He oversees the operation of information technology for the acquisition, manipulation, analysis, and distribution of medical image and related data, with goals of integrating and improving quality of medical imaging
for the entirety of UVA Health.
Dr. Gaskin possesses significant prior expertise and leadership experience for this role. Since 2015, Dr. Gaskin has served as the associate chief medical information officer for imaging at the University Medical Center, during which he led the design of the medical center’s image storage, retrieval, and reporting system. He also pioneered interactive multimedia reporting which make radiology reports more effective and readable; UVA Radiology was the first site in the country to implement this
Cree Gaskin, MD
reporting technology, and many sites across the country have since followed in UVA’s footsteps. Within the department, Dr. Gaskin has served as the vice chair for informatics since 2011, the vice chair for operations since 2017, and currently serves as the department’s executive vice vhair.
Two Members of UVA Radiology Earn UTeam Awards
A celebratory breakfast in May 2025 honored not one – but two members of UVA Radiology.
Ultrasound’s Eva Johnson and CT’s Will Perkins-Goode were both recipients of the “UTeam Members of the Month” award during the previous quarter. This award honors members across UVA Health who display outstanding service and commitment to the hospital’s core ASPIRE values.
In Eva Johnson’s nomination letter, Nicole Shreves and Doug Catalano explained how she went above and beyond to serve patients. The nominators noted how, during a stressful and uncomfortable examination situation with a patient making inflammatory comments, Johnson “demonstrated exceptional patience” and ultimately did the best job possible with “commitment to the patient’s well-being at the forefront.” Even beyond this incident, Johnson has excelled in many other ways: aiding efforts to prepare for Ultrasound Awareness Month by collecting donations from local businesses on her own time, and taking time out of her schedule to deliver food to her colleagues.
Meanwhile, Will Perkins-Goode’s nominator
Sarah Lourenzo explained that his calm and generous demeanor deserved recognition. “It appears he serves in multiple roles in the CT department,” she said: from prepping patients and coordinating scans to communicating with radiology nurses on patient movement. In addition, Perkins-Goode has looked to expand his capabilities and skills, such as learning to place ultrasound-guided IVs which will reduce patient wait time for that service. “I can’t speak highly enough of him,” said Lourenzo. “I wish every department had a Will.”
From left to right: Carly Lundgren, Ali Wartella, and Mandy Claytor
Technologists Earn Certificate for Expertise in Cardiovascular CT
In April 2025, the department’s Mandy Claytor and Carly Lundgren achieved a special distinction by becoming Certified Technologists of the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, or CSCCT.
The SCCT Technologist Certificate of Competency Program recognizes technologists who have indepth understanding of the utility and diagnostic capability of cardiovascular computed tomography. To earn the designation, Claytor and Lundgren needed to complete educational credits and participate in a sufficient number of coronary CT and cardiovascular cases.
“Achieving the SCCT Technologist Certificate of Competency is a widely recognized mark of excellence for those that perform cardiovascular CT,” said UVA Division of Cardiovascular Medicine’s Todd Villines, MD. Dr. Villines also noted Claytor’s important role in cardiovascular CT quality and technologist training at UVA Health: “She has helped to make UVA world-renowned for excellence in cardiovascular CT imaging.”
Department Members Celebrated in Annual Patient Experience Awards
On November 4, 2024, UVA Health held its annual Patient Experience Awards ceremony, honoring exemplary care among teams and providers based on scores from Press Ganey patient surveys. A total of eight UVA Radiology teams earned the “Top Performer” distinction; meanwhile, Division Chief of Vascular and Interventional Radiology and Professor J. Fritz Angle, MD, received individual recognition.
J. Fritz Angle, MD
The Nuclear Medicine team at the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center was one of the eight teams honored at November’s ceremony and was the top performer among outpatient clinics in FY24 Q1.
Lead Tech Recognized for Going Extra Mile in Care
In January 2025, Nuclear Medicine Lead Technologist Matthew Calvarese received the Be Excellent Everyday (BEE) Award from UVA Health after taking additional effort to make a patient feel comfortable before their PET study. Calvarese took several extra steps to help the anxious patient: spending time to explain the procedure in reassuring
detail, offering to arrive at work early to demonstrate the procedure, and ultimately rescheduling the patient’s appointment to a less stressful afternoon slot. In the words of his nominator Jeri Pugh, RN: “Matthew’s actions exemplify his unwavering commitment to patient care and his willingness to support his colleagues.”
Matthew Calvarese
EDUCATION
In Its 10th Year, UVA Radiology’s Global Health Program Keeps Building
On December 3, 2024, the University of Virginia’s Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging held its annual Alumni and Friends Reception in Chicago. Across the room were familiar faces of current and former trainees and faculty. Most of the 70+ attendees had been part of the UVA Radiology community for years, even decades.
But that wasn’t the case for Catherine Kavishe, a special guest at the reception. At the time, Dr. Kavishe was a final-year resident at the Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute in Dar El Salaam, Tanzania. Just a month prior, she had traveled more than 8,000 miles to Charlottesville for a visiting radiology rotation as part of a new initiative within UVA Radiology’s Global Health Leadership Track Program.
“This is a dream,” said Dr. Kavishe. “This year is ending really well.”
Dr. Catherine Kavishe
The Power of a True Exchange Program
For the past decade, UVA Radiology’s Global Health Leadership Track (GHLT) and the Spencer B. Gay Resident International Education Fund have given UVA Radiology residents the opportunity to visit Uganda and Tanzania. Over a dozen UVA residents have traveled to these medical institutions in order to expand their medical knowledge and maintain an international educational exchange.
But Dr. Kavishe’s visit to Charlottesville marks the beginning of the GLHT becoming a “true” exchange program. She’s the first international resident to come to UVA as part of the program; as the GHLT celebrates its 10th anniversary, the department aims to regularly host radiology residents from developing countries at UVA.
Within radiology, Dr. Kavishe has a particular interest in Musculoskeletal Imaging and Interventions (MSK). But while she’s trained in general radiology, there are limited opportunities to specialize in MSK within Tanzania. At UVA, she trained with several MSK radiologists including Jennifer Pierce, MD, the director of the Global Health Leadership Track and the division chief of MSK. It was a productive experience.
“[I saw] a ton of procedures that I wanted to see,” said Dr. Kavishe. “A lot of arthrograms, a lot of joint injections – something that back home, the orthopedic surgeons really want. So I think it has been a very successful process.”
After her training at UVA, Dr. Kavishe sees the opportunity to create meaningful change at her home institution.
“We have everything there. We have fluoroscopies; we just lack the skills and the exposure,” she said. “And I think with a little help, we can have our MSK fellowship there.”
And maybe, she said, “I can be the first MSK fellow.”
Connecting Through Interventional Radiology
In April 2024, Olivia Richardson, MD, traveled more than 8,000 miles eastward to eventually arrive at Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar El Salaam, Tanzania (about 15 meters away from Muhimbili Orthopaedic Center). As a second-year resident within UVA Radiology’s Global Health Leadership Track, Dr. Richardson immediately felt supported.
“The collaboration was something that felt very similar to UVA,” said Dr. Richardson. “Waking up, knowing that people on your team were motivated to help people, even people they knew nothing about from another country.”
Her visit signaled another important first for the Global Health Leadership Track. Dr. Richardson is an Interventional Radiology (IR) resident, specializing in minimally invasive, image-guided procedures. Her trip was UVA’s inaugural collaboration with Road2IR, an outreach and education program with a mission to bring IR to underserved African areas.
Dr. Richardson’s trip was made possible through collaboration with Road2IR.
“UVA is one of the few institutions who have made it possible for IR to participate in a Global Health Leadership Track,” said Dr. Richardson. “I think this is a unique aspect of our training program: to provide residents with the tools and leadership skills needed to identify and solve complex problems, promote unity in culturally diverse settings, and ultimately drive global transformation in IR.”
The trip offered valuable insights for Dr. Richardson. Muhimbili National Hospital is an ocean away from UVA Medical Center; it also contains approximately 1,500 beds, compared to UVA’s 659 beds. There were also differences in medical resources, with regards to operational expenses and limited tools.
“I don’t think this was a negative,” said Dr. Richardson. “It gave me an appreciation for what can be done with less.”
However, her biggest takeaway doesn’t have to do with differences, but rather similarities.
“Hearing the stories from the different trainees of what drove them to IR was not very different from myself: the love for innovation, problem solving, and helping patients when other hope is not possible,” said Dr. Richardson. “Finding that kind of motivation is what sustains me, and so it was very inspirational to see so many other people share in that same desire from across the world.”
For Richardson, this sort of common ground is what allows hospitals to thrive, whether in Dar El Salaam or Charlottesville.
“I’m a firm believer that the most important aspect of any successful operation is having a great culture,” said Dr. Richardson.
Department Faculty Continue to Participate in UVA’s
Junior Faculty Development Program
Early-career department faculty continue to set themselves up for success through UVA School of Medicine’s Junior Faculty Development Program (JFDP).
Chandler Fountain, MD, assistant professor of radiology and medical imaging, was a member of the 2024-25 cohort and
completed the program in April. Meanwhile, Ju Hee Ahn, MD, assistant professor of radiology and medical imaging, has been accepted into the 2025-26 cohort which begins in October 2025.
The year-long program aims to help accepted participants to establish a solid foundation in
various elements of academic medicine – such as clinical work, teaching, research career planning, and networking. As part of their training, accepted participants take part in twice-a-month learning sessions and create a scholarly project to present at a capstone conference.
New Pediatric Radiology Resident Pathway
The University of Virginia’s Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging has officially announced a new offering: the Diagnostic Radiology/Pediatric Radiology (DR/PR) dual certification pathway for radiology residents.
Beginning in their third year, UVA’s diagnostic radiology residents can now enroll in this 15-month program for dual certification in both diagnostic and pediatric radiology. The pathway was approved earlier in the year by the American Board of Radiology and is modeled after the pre-existing Diagnostic Radiology/Nuclear Medicine pathway.
“This pathway will allow residents interested in pursuing a career in pediatric radiology the opportunity to graduate from our residency program with all of the training and credentials needed to obtain certification in both general diagnostic radiology as well as in the pediatric radiology subspecialty,” said Assistant Professor Marcus Hook, MD, who serves as the DR/PR program director at UVA. He em -
phasized that the specialized certification can be completed during the normal residency time frame — “without requiring an additional year of training in a separate pediatric radiology fellowship program.”
“It is our hope that this pathway will increase interest in pediatric radiology,” said Dr. Hook, “and help address the chronic shortage of subspecialty pediatric radiologists in Virginia and throughout the United States.”
Residencies Honored in 2025
National Doximity Rankings
The department’s residencies earned recognition for being among the best training programs in the nation, according to the medical networking service Doximity.
UVA’s Interventional Radiology Residency ranked #1 among all interventional radiology residencies. Meanwhile, the Diagnostic Radiology Residency ranked #19 compared to other institutions, as well as #1 in Virginia and #3 in the South.
The rankings are part of Doximity’s yearly Residency Program Navigator, which are created through a combination of resident and alumni satisfaction data, reputation data, and objective data, according to Doximity.
Interventional Radiology Tech Program Celebrates 50th Anniversary
In 1973, University of Virginia interventional radiologist and faculty member Charles J. Tegtmeyer, MD, had a vision for his field. Interventional radiology (IR) – the practice of using medical imaging to guide minimally invasive procedures – was evolving and expanding, and Dr. Tegtmeyer believed the discipline would see an increasing need for specialized team members. So he established a first-of-its-kind program to train radiology technologists specifically in IR.
On August 3, 2024, over 100 graduates and their family members returned to Charlot -
tesville to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this program, now named the Charles J. Tegtmeyer Program of Interventional Radiology. The celebrations, which included an afternoon picnic and evening reception, were attended by enthusiastic guests who showed a fondness for the program, their colleagues, and the past and present leaders.
The reunion also featured a presentation detailing the program’s history and accomplishments. Since its inception, the Tegtmeyer Program has trained 263 IR technologists. And while more than a third of
the graduates remained at UVA for some or all of their career, those who wanted other opportunities were always in high demand after graduating from the esteemed program.
“Every year, I would get calls from past fellows, or institutions who knew our program, asking to hire our graduates,” shared Anita Bell, who served as program director from 1996 to 2007. “The calls would start in January. The callers knew that our graduates didn’t finish until August.”
During the presentation, Bell recognized Lloyd Bittinger and
two technologists who were Dr. Tegtmeyer’s collaborators in planning and nurturing the novel program from scratch.
None of them could have predicted how much the program would change IR — not just at UVA, but on a national scale. The Tegtmeyer Program was initially the only one of its kind, but its success has since encouraged institutions across the country to replicate the program.
“I am so happy to have been a pioneer in this field of medicine,” wrote Bucky Thacker in a message to the program graduates and staff members at the celebration. Thacker served as program director in 1973 during the program’s first year, and again from 1993 to 1994; today, he works at UVA’s Specialty Clinic in Augusta.
In 1996, Dr. Tegtmeyer passed away unexpectedly at the age of 57. He was an innovator in IR techniques and a leader for national radiological societies such as the Society of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology. He
The 2024 graduating class of the Charles J. Tegtmeyer Program of Interventional Radiology for technologists
was deeply committed to education: in addition to the Tegtmeyer Program of Interventional Radiology, he founded UVA’s IR Fellowship program and developed a radiographic anatomy course for first-year medical students. Former colleagues describe Dr. Tegtmeyer as a superb clinician, a charismatic teacher, and a trusted friend.
Dr. Tegtmeyer believed, above all, in putting the patient first —
he was known to stay at the hospital overnight to monitor his patients’ care. Bell thinks that the programs founded by Dr. Tegtmeyer serve as a testament and continuation to his values that are upheld today by those who work in UVA IR.
“There is a cadre of people committed to carrying forth his legacy, approach to interventional radiology, and his memory,” said Bell.
Reza Daugherty, MD, Named 2025 Recipient of UVA
Pediatrics Education
Reza Daugherty, MD, professor of radiology and medical imaging, will be honored with the Department of Pediatrics 2025 Education Award. The announcement was made in June 2025.
The award recognizes Dr. Daugherty’s outstanding con -
Award
tributions to pediatric medical education. Widely praised for his dedication and impact, Dr. Daugherty was described in his nomination as “an exceptional educator and a cornerstone of our pediatric trainee education program.” This honor reflects his unwavering commitment to shaping the
next generation of pediatricians through excellence in teaching and mentorship.
Dr. Daugherty currently serves as the division chief for the department’s Division of Pediatric Imaging, as well as the program director for UVA’s Pediatric Radiology fellowship.
Attracted to the Field: Inaugural MRI Technologist Students Complete Training
On November 26, 2024, UVA Radiology celebrated a special occasion: After completing their education and passing their boards, Brooke Coleman and Bruno Ngami Ngolali were officially MRI technologists.
Together, Coleman and Ngami Ngolali are the first graduates of UVA Health’s MRI Technologist training program. Created through a recent partnership with the Tesla MR Institute, trainees receive academic and clinical skills necessary to become a registered MRI technologist.
The training program is also part of UVA Health’s “Earn While You Learn” initiative, which means MRI students are paid a salary – and UVA Health pays for their tuition expenses as well.
“My experience being an MRI student at UVA has been extremely successful and financially rewarding,” said Ngami Ngolali. “It provides a comprehensive training, including hands-on experience with state-of-the-art equipment and instruction in anatomy, patient care, and imaging techniques. Plus, the work environment is enjoyable and amazing.”
Coleman agreed: “I have fallen in love with MRI and truly believe that I have found my passion.” She added that their training at UVA was especially supportive. “Being a student can be difficult and stressful, but I have been met with nothing but patience and understanding from every person in this department.”
Jeri Pugh, RN
Honored with Annual EX-RAY Award
Each year, the department celebrates a non-physician member with the EX-RAY Recognition Award – standing for the EXemplary Resident Ally of the Year. The 2024 award, which was presented in November, went to Nuclear Medicine Nurse Coordinator Jeri Pugh, RN.
Created in 2023 by diagnostic and interventional radiology residents, the award is funded through a combination of trainee donations and matching funds from the department. While it is given to just one individual every year, its goal is to better highlight how department members who are not faculty play a crucial educational role.
“As a program, we do not take for granted the efforts that our technologists and non-physician extender providers do to educate our radiology residents,” said Vice Chair of Education Juliana Bueno, MD. “This is a small way to recognize their contributions and how much we value them as part of their learning process.”
Celebrating a New Change in Residency Leadership
It was a bittersweet changing of the guard at the close of the 2024-25 academic year, when Professor Juliana Bueno, MD, officially stepped down as program director of the Diagnostic Radiology (DR) residency after five years in the role. Associate Professor Joseph Donahue, MD, began as the new program director on July 1.
In 2020, Dr. Bueno has overseen the DR residency through several changes, including the establishment of the Diagnostic Radiology/Nuclear Medicine dual certification pathway. During this time, she also supported many programs including the DR residency as the department’s vice chair of education — a role that she will continue in.
Dr. Bueno’s successor, Dr. Donahue, has served as associate program director for the DR residency since 2021. He is also the program director for the department’s diagnostic neuroradiology fellowship. Meanwhile, Associate Professor Carrie Rochman, MD, will continue to serve as the associate program director for the DR residency, and Assistant Professor Marcus Hook, MD, will also begin his tenure as an associate program director.
Throughout the year, the department and the Keats Alumni Society has offered a variety of educational lectures to capture the breadth of the field. With renowned radiology minds and familiar faces, below are images of some lectures from the 2024-2025 academic year.
New Imaging Physics Residency Opens for Applications
On July 1, the department’s Diagnostic Medical Physics group officially began offering a new imaging physics residency program. The two-year program provides clinical experience and technical physics training in all imaging modalities, with the aim to produce self-sufficient clinical imaging physicists through clinical experience and technical physics training in all imaging modalities. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared for ABR board certification and successful careers in the field of medical physics.
Celebrating a Change in Residency Leadership 2025 Resident Graduations
Mark New Beginnings
Graduating Diagnostic Radiology Residents
On Saturday, June 14, the Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging celebrated the 2025 graduates of the Diagnostic Radiology Residency. Department members and loved ones convened at Mount Ida Reserve to honor the graduates as they embark on the next stage of their careers. The event featured lively celebration, appreciative words of thanks, and even a surprise acapella performance.
• John Barrera, MD (IR-Integrated)
• George Cheeseman, MD (Global Health Leadership Track)
• Wayne Dell, MD (DR/NM Dual Pathway)
• Samantha Epstein, MD
• Caroline Hubbard, MD (Chief Resident)
• Allen Ko, MD
• Daniel Phadke, MD
• Andrew Ray, MD (IR-Integrated)
• Adam Richardson, MD
• Daniel Ruohoniemi, MD
• Connor Sleeth, MD (Global Health Leadership Track)
• Zak Swenson, MD
The 2025 graduating class of UVA’s Diagnostic Radiology Residency
Later in the month on Saturday, June 28, UVA Radiology celebrated its graduating PGY-6 IR residents, listed here:
The 2025 graduating class of UVA’s Interventional Radiology Residency and IR Faculty
During the Diagnostic Radiology graduation event, the department also presented its 2025 resident and faculty awards, listed below:
Chief Resident Acknowledgement: Caroline Hubbard, MD (DR) and John Barrera, MD (IR)
Teaching Resident of the Year: Wayne Dell, MD
Spencer B. Gay Service Award: Caroline Hubbard, MD
De Lange Resident Award: Daniel Phadke, MD
Gold Humanism Award: Hannah Clode, MD
Outstanding Fellow Award: Vishnu Chandra, MD
Paul M. Dee, MD Teacher of the Year Award: Rebecca Dameron, MD
Charles Tegtmeyer, MD Memorial Clinical Service Award: Tom Battey, MD
RESEARCH
Hyperpolarized Gas Group Earns $7.4 Million for Lung Research
Hyperpolarized gas research at the University of Virginia is getting a boost through two separate five-year NIH R01 grants totaling $7.4 million, which will support projects using hyperpolarized xenon-129 MRI to evaluate lung transplant rejection and abnormalities in the lungs of electronic cigarette users.
Leading the research are Jaime Mata, PhD, and John P. Mugler, PhD, both professors in the Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, as well as Y. Michael Shim, MD, a professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care.
Drs. Mata and Shim and colleagues earned their NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) $3.66 million grant for a project titled, “Developing Hyperpolarized Gas MRI Signatures to Detect and Manage Acute Cellular Rejection.” Drs. Mugler and Shim and team were awarded a $3.71 million NIH National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) grant for their project titled, “Dissolved Phase Hyperpolar-
ized Xenon-129 MRI: A Novel Biomarker to Quantify Pulmonary Pathology in Young Healthy E-Cigarette Users.”
From left to right: Jaime Mata, PhD, John P. Mugler, PhD, and Y. Michael Shim, MD
Hyperpolarized xenon-129 MR imaging is an emerging technology with which human lung physiology can be assessed with excellent spatial resolution, unlike other diagnostic modalities. The three multi-PIs are members of the Hyperpolarized Gas Research Group, which was formed at UVA over 25 years ago to translate UVA’s strength in MR physics and pulse sequence development into the clinical arena of pulmonary disease detection and characterization. This work is of significant interest because the UVA Hyperpolarized Gas Research Group acquired the world’s first MRI of a human lung using this technology in 1996, and since then has made numerous pioneering contributions to the field with applications including asthma, COPD and cystic fibrosis.
The MPIs of the two grant projects have developed novel technology that can detect early acute cellular rejection in lung transplant patients and pulmonary vascular pathology in young, healthy electronic cigarette users. Drs. Mata and Shim’s work has resulted in a new understanding of how
lung transplant patients develop acute cellular rejection, and of the biomolecular mechanisms involved by using lung single-cell RNA sequencing. Their NIH-NHLBI R01 will validate these preliminary findings in 60 lung transplant patients evaluated longitudinally over 12 months with hyperpolarized xenon-129 MRI, chest CT, PFT, and bronchoscopy. Drs. Mugler and Shim’s work has resulted in the discovery that young, healthy e-cigarette users have abnormal pulmonary perfusion, which is speculated to cause abnormal cardiopulmonary function and potentially increased risk of lung injury in case of infection. Their NIH-NIDA R01 will validate these preliminary findings in 35 e-cigarette users and 35 healthy controls over 12 months with hyperpolarized xenon-129 MRI, chest CT, PFT, and cardiopulmonary exercise studies. These new grants blend their clinical and basic science expertise in medical imaging, pulmonary clinical research, and biomolecular research. This work will provide new insights into how hyperpolarized xenon-129 MRI can be applied to benefit patients.
Two Faculty Members Receive Distinguished Investigator Award
This past year Stuart Berr, PhD, and James R. Stone, MD, PhD, both professors of radiology and medical imaging, received a prestigious award: the 2024 Distinguished Investigator Award by the Academy for Radiology and Biomedical Imaging Research.
They are among the 42 investigators receiving the honor, which recognizes individuals for their outstanding contributions to medical imaging.
A formal ceremony was held on December 3, 2024 at the annual meeting for the Radiological Society of North America in Chicago.
As part of the award, Dr. Berr and Dr. Stone were also inducted into the Academy’s Council of Distinguished Investigators, where they joined several current UVA Radiology colleagues who are members of this council. These professors include Christopher Kramer, MD, who was inducted in 2015; John P. Mugler, PhD, inducted in 2016; Frederick H. Epstein, PhD, MS, inducted in 2020; and Jiang He, PhD, inducted in 2023.
Stuart Berr, PhD
James R. Stone, MD, PhD
Jiang He, PhD
Awarded $3.4 Million Grant for Radiotheranostics Research
Jiang He, PhD, an associate professor in the Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, and his colleagues were awarded a five-year, $3.4 million NIH-NIC R01 grant titled “Targeting tumor-specific epitope for imaging and therapy for mesothelioma.” The grant will support development of a molecularly targeted radiation technology known as radiotheranostics, a transformative “see-and-treat” approach to cancer therapy.
Radiotheranostics integrates advanced molecular imaging and precision radiation treatment to locate cancer with remarkable accuracy and deliver targeted therapies directly to cancer cells, sparing healthy tissue. The focus of this research is on developing theranostic agents that target CD46, a protein marker present in various cancers, including multiple myeloma, colon, ovarian, mesothelioma, and prostate cancers. These agents will enable non-invasive measurement of CD46 levels to identify patients most likely to benefit from specific therapies while facilitating personalized radiation dosing for enhanced treatment outcomes.
Central to the research is the development of Targeted Alpha Particle Therapy (TAT), a next-generation cancer treatment that delivers high-energy radiation over short distances (50100 µm), effectively destroying cancer cells while preserving healthy tissue. This precision therapy holds significant promise for addressing cancers that resist conventional treatments. By leveraging the unique properties of alpha particles and precise molecular targeting of the monoclonal antibodies, Dr. He’s work aims to redefine cancer treatment at the molecular level, offering hope for improved patient outcomes and a new era in personalized cancer care.
Other collaborators on this grant are Bin Liu, PhD, co-principal investigator, Youngho Seo, PhD, and Robert Flavell, MD, PhD, from University of California at San Francisco; Sui Shen, PhD, from University of Alabama at Birmingham; Raffit Hassan, MD, Frank Lin, MD, PhD, and Martin Brechbiel, PhD, from NIH-NIC, and Ani Manichaikul, PhD, from University of Virginia.
Radiochemistry Core Selected as UVA’s Research Core of the Year
The University of Virginia’s Office of Research Core Administration has selected the Radiochemistry Imaging Core as their Core of the Year for 2024.
As one of the UVA School of Medicine’s 19 research cores, the core supports research specifically in molecular imaging. Since 2017, the core has provided investigators with access to high-quality radiopharmaceuticals that can be imaged by Positron Emission Tomography (PET) method for pre-clinical and clinical needs. The core has undergone significant evolution in recent years: including the commission-
ing of a cyclotron and several functionality changes.
The award was presented in December 2024 by Jay Fox, PhD, who serves as director of the Office of Research Core Administration.
Shivashankar Khanapur, PhD, associate professor of radiology and medical imaging, serves as the core’s director. The core also includes Senior Lab Specialist Damodara Naidu Kommi, PhD, and Faculty Advisor Stuart Berr, PhD, professor of radiology and medical imaging.
Jiang He, PhD
James R. Stone, MD, PhD and Team Earns $3.2 Million Grant for Tool to Protect Soldiers’ Brains
James Stone, MD, PhD, professor of radiology and medical imaging, has received $3.2 million from the U.S. Department of Defense to enhance a critical tool for protecting the brain health of military personnel.
The project aims to upgrade the Generalized Blast Exposure Value (GBEV) tool that assigns a numerical score to a service member’s history of blast exposures that can be used to assess the potential for adverse health outcomes.
“This will represent a major step forward in how the military monitors, protects, and cares for its service members,” said Stone, a UVA Health radiologist. “This kind of translational research has the potential to directly inform policy, improve training safety, and guide individualized medical decisions for those who serve.”
The project builds on close to two decades of research by Stone and his collaborators that seeks to better understand how repeated exposure to blasts – common in military training and combat – affects the brain over time.
Regular, low-level blast exposures from weapons or breaching, where explosives are used to enter buildings or other structures, can cause cumulative brain injuries and subtle but meaningful changes in brain function. To measure the impact of these blast exposures, Stone has been working with Capt. Stephen Ahlers (retired), PhD, at Naval Medical Research Command to utilize the Blast Exposure Threshold Survey (BETS) and GBEV
Vice Chairman of Clinical Research
to link neurological changes to career blast exposures in service members and veterans.
Their latest project will bring together data from more than 16,000 service member assessments across 10 previous research studies, spanning diverse military groups, to refine and strengthen the GBEV tool. The aim is to give the Department of Defense a more precise, data-driven way to identify atrisk individuals, guide protective measures, and drive the care that members of the military receive.
“We are also incorporating key members of the Department of Defense public health community – including representatives from the services and the Defense Health Agency – into this effort,” Ahlers said. “By integrating these components, we aim to enhance support for the warfighter, operational units, Department of Defense public health entities, and both Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs health providers working to monitor and mitigate the effects of blast exposure on warfighter and veteran health and performance.”
The project’s collaborators include Naval Medical Research Command, Defense Health Agency’s TBI Center of Excellence, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Henry M. Jackson Foundation, and the University of Utah.
U.S. Trial Underway for Novel Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment
Ziv Haskal, MD, professor of radiology and medical imaging, has been announced as the national principal investigator leading the multicenter US trial to evaluate genicular artery embolization (GAE), a promising interventional radiologic treatment to treat painful osteoarthritis.
The trial, which includes 10 centers under the auspices of the FDA, is named ‘RESORB.’ It is the first US trial to assess the Nexsphere-F microsphere, a rapidly resorbable calibrated embolic agent designed specifically for GAE, comparing it with steroid joint injections.
RESORB will test the device’s effect on knee osteoarthritis –a painful degenerative joint disease affecting over 20 million Americans. The trial is focused upon patients suffering from disabling pain that is unresponsive to pain medications, but which does not yet warrant joint replacement surgery.
“GAE — as well as musculoskeletal embolization for adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), tennis elbow (epicondylitis), and others — is among the most exciting advances in IR, offering potential reduction or freedom of medically unresponsive pain for 6 to 12 months,” said Dr. Haskal
“The Nexsphere-F microsphere was created specifically for this application and has shown promising efficacy and the highest safety profile in over a thousand patients worldwide. We’re very excited that this landmark national trial will be led out of the University of Virginia’s Interventional Radiology Division in collaboration with the UVA Department of Orthopaedics.“
MRI Can Save Rectal Cancer Patients From Surgery, Study Finds
Associate Professor Arun Krishnaraj, MD, MPH, is among the researchers for a study that found MRI can help rectal cancer patients by predicting patient outcomes and the risk of the tumor recurring or spreading for patients who have undergone chemotherapy and radiation.
The findings could help determine the best course of treatment, and whether patients would benefit from surgery or a “watch and wait” approach.
“After undergoing chemotherapy and radiation for rectal cancer, patients are understandably concerned whether their cancer is gone or whether there may be some leftover disease. Using newer MRI techniques, we are now able to predict much better than in the past whether any cancer remains and, if so, whether it will come back and spread,” said Dr. Krishnaraj. “No one wants to get surgery if they can avoid it. Now we have a powerful tool to help patients and their doctors predict who would benefit from surgery after initial chemotherapy and radiation and who can likely avoid surgery.”
Arun Krishnaraj, MD, MPH
Ziv Haskal, MD
Joseph Rispoli, PhD, Inducted into Council of Early
Career Investigators in Imaging
Joseph Rispoli, PhD, associate professor of radiology and medical imaging, was inducted into a prestigious national council of early career imaging researchers.
Dr. Rispoli is one of 35 investigators who make up the 2024-
25 class of The Council of Early Career Investigators in Imaging (CECI²), which was created by The Academy for Radiology and Biomedical Imaging Research. In addition to recognizing these individuals, the initiative is designed to prepare and support investigators. as
they navigate the world of medical imaging research funding. This past March, members of the council participated in advocacy events and roundtables in Washington D.C. as part of The Academy Medical Imaging Technical Showcase.
COMMUNITY
Smaller Mobile Mammography Unit Offers a Bigger Impact for Breast Care
In February 2025, the Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging and the UVA Health Breast Care Center received a new mobile mammography unit. The goal? To expand access to UVA-quality breast screenings for patients across Virginia.
Since UVA’s Mobile Mammography Coach program began in 2003, it’s brought preventative breast care to thousands of individuals facing challenges getting screened. The mobile unit, traveling with screening equipment and two UVA breast care staff members, drives up to 3 hours away from its home in Charlottesville to Virginia communities without convenient breast screening facilities. (A second UVA mobile mammography coach, based in Manassas, also serves areas in Northern Virginia.) Once patients are screened, their mammograms are read back at the UVA Breast Care Center by the department’s subspecialty-trained breast imaging radiologists.
Although the program itself has been around for more than 20 years, this new Charlottesville-based unit offers increased benefits to patients. The mobile now houses a Hologic 3D mammography system—the same system that is in place at UVA Health’s permanent mammography locations—meaning that mobile
mammography patients experience the exact same imaging quality and comfort as other UVA patients. Meanwhile, the new unit measures 11 feet shorter than the previous unit. This smaller size allows it to travel to and set up in new locations, ultimately reaching patients that the previous bulkier unit couldn’t.
As part of its core mission of screening accessibility, the mobile coach continues to serve patients who may not have adequate health insurance to cover the cost of a breast screening. Through partnerships with state programs and grants, many patients screened receive free or low-cost mammograms.
Soon after the new unit was unveiled, it was put straight to work. The mobile unit screened its first patients on February 27 and is now on the road for four to five days a week.
Front row, from left to right: Terri Shelor, Lynette Narciso, Marie Barnett, and Amy Pennington; back row: Jessie Johnson
Students Get Inside Look at IR During Annual Symposium
On September 21, 2024, dozens of medical and undergraduate students attended the 2024 Interventional Radiology Symposium, hosted by the University of Virginia’s Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging.
The annual free event offered an overview of the imaging, anatomy, pathology and treatments pertinent to Interventional Radiology (IR). Faculty and trainees from the
Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology gave talks and led activities about the minimally-invasive, image-guided procedures used in the field of IR.
The symposium included didactic lectures, case reviews, hands-on activities, and even a game of “IR Jeopardy,” complete with prizes.
School Outreach Offers an Inside Look at Radiology
Throughout the year, UVA Radiology provides various outreach programs that help local high schoolers and college students learn more about radiology. The department continues to offer radiology-curious community members (including students) an opportunity to observe in different modality areas. In summer of 2025, UVA Radiology also supported a junior volunteer for an eight-week program in MRI to gain handson task experience.
Meanwhile, representatives from UVA Radiology also visit area schools and events to talk more about the field. These include discussion sessions at Albemarle County High School (with department members including Manager of Advanced Imaging Ali Wartella, Diagnostic Imaging Manager Anthony Calise, and Diagnostic Imaging Supervisor Bob Hunsberger), career talks at Piedmont Virginia Community College (with department members including IR Education Program Coordinator Amber Simmons), and participation in events like the UVA Career and Community Fair.
And for the past two years, department members like sonographer Carley Wagoner have visited
Monticello High School to lead discussions about the field of radiology and potential careers. These talks have helped develop interest among MHS students, two of whom shadowed Wagoner at UVA this past May. This programming is also facilitated by Associate Professor Juan Olazagasti, MD and various participants of the department’s Medical Student Summer Research Program.
Faculty and trainees gather at Foxfield Races, 2025
Faculty and trainees gather at Kardinal Hall for First Thursday, 2025
UVA Baseball Game Event, 2025
Safety Fair, 2025
Staff and families gather at the Annual Admin Picnic, 2024
Interventional Radiology Holiday Olympics, 2024
Rad Tech Week ,2024
Day of Caring, 2024
“Less Is More” Initiative by Juliana Bueno, MD, Plays Key Role in UVA Health Retraining IMPACT
The new “Less Is More” initiative to reduce administrative strain— conceived by University of Virginia Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging Professor Juliana Bueno, MD — made its first mark through the UVA Health University Medical Center 2024 Annual Retraining.
Dr. Bueno serves as one of UVA Health’s four current culture leads, who work to enhance the professional lives of faculty and staff throughout the health system. She was motivated by a faculty engagement survey which identified increasing burdens from administrative tasks, inability to leave work tasks behind after working hours, and other system challenges.
Dr. Bueno hopes that Less Is More will help address these problems, which can contribute to feelings of burnout among faculty and staff. The initiative incorporates concepts from “Subtract: The Untapped Science of Less” by UVA School of Engineering Professor Leidy Klotz, PhD. Through “subtractive transformation,” Dr. Bueno aims to reduce extraneous duties for care providers — and increase satisfaction and fulfillment as a result.
The initiative came to fruition through a revamped Annual Retraining for employees. The new version includes only mandatory content: which means shorter sections and fewer questions. But while the
training is now less, the work behind the scenes was anything but small.
“This initial effort to modify the presentation of the content in the Annual Retraining was an enormous interdisciplinary effort between HR, compliance, project management, and other teams that own content in Annual Retraining,” said Dr. Bueno.
Other areas are changing as a result of Less Is More. The orientation video for new hires was changed from a 45-minute version to one that lasts about 10 minutes. And in collaboration with Human Resources, a first-time standard operating procedure has been developed to cut out redundancy within computer-based learning modules.
“I am excited about the ripple effect that this initiative will have in our institution, specifically in the culture of our workplace,” said Dr. Bueno. “The concept of simplification is not new, but we struggle with incorporating it in our everyday practices; so I am hopeful ‘Less Is More’ becomes a movement and permeates every area of our organization to improve the engagement, wellbeing, and satisfaction at work in our academic community. I believe we can lead from within and accomplish this.”
Juliana Bueno, MD
Radiology Project earns Research Design Award at Association of Safe Patient Handling
They came, they presented, and they returned home: along with a newly earned award.
In March, Physical Therapist Leslie Wood and Diagnostic Radiology’s Anthony Calise and Bob Hunsberger, as well as physical therapist Kohl Kershisnik, earned the “Excellence in Research Design” award from the Association of Safe Patient Handling Professionals. Wood presented the work at the association’s annual conference in Atlanta in March 2025.
Their project, which was based on work within the department, is titled: “Inflation: When it Is a Good Thing for Your Team
Members — How Our Radiology Department Used Air to Reduce Risk of Team Member and Patient Injury.” The study reflects on how air friction
reduction devices on ICU beds could lessen physical forces and minimize injury risks for team members and patients.
From left to right: Bob Hunsberger, Leslie Wood, and Anthony Calise
National and State Conferences
Throughout the year, members from UVA Radiology attended and presented at a variety of different conferences.
RSNA 2024
The University of Virginia’s Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging had a strong presence at the 2024 Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Annual Meeting, held December 1–5 in Chicago. Over 20 UVA faculty and trainees participated as authors, presenters, and moderators.
The department also hosted its annual Alumni and Friends Reception, organized by the Keats Alumni Society, bringing together past and present members.
• Breast Imaging Findings of Mesenchymal Masses with Clinical-Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation
Shanna Mayorov, BS, MS*; Ramapriya Ganti, MD, PhD
• Multimodality Diagnostic Imaging and Role of Interventional Radiology for Pancreas Transplant
Hideyuki Torikai, MD*; Eric Fromke, MD; John F. Angle, MD; Klaus D. Hagspiel, MD; Rachita Khot, MD
• Beyond the Belly: Imaging of Thoracic Manifestations of Obstetric and Gynecologic Disease
Thomas Battey, MD; Alan Ropp, MD
Association of Academic Radiology
*First author
UVA Radiology and Medical Imaging’s faculty, residents, staff, and family members managed to spend some time and enjoy each other’s company during the 2025 Annual Meeting for the Association of Academic Radiology in Los Angeles.
VSRT 2025
From April 9 through April 11, 2025, members of UVA’s Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging attended the 2025 Student, Educator, and Technologist Seminar to meet with the future radiologic technologists of Virginia – and potentially, their future colleagues at UVA Health. Diagnostic Imaging
SIR 2025
This past spring, a strong cohort from the University of Virginia’s Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging headed west to contribute to the Society of Interventional Radiology’s 2025 annual meeting in Nashville, Tennessee.
Supervisors Robert Hunsberger and Michael May, OR Imaging Supervisor Samantha Shoemaker, and IR Education Program Coordinator Amber Simmons spoke with attendees of the event, hosted by the Virginia Society of Radiologic Technologists.
The UVA Radiology team
From March 29 to April 2, 2025, faculty members and trainees contributed to a variety of events: panels, presentations, and even a few rounds of IR Jeopardy.
A total of six faculty members – two-thirds of the faculty within the Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology presented at the conference, in addition to another seven UVA medical students, residents, and fellows.
shared information with
Recognition Across the Nation
While much of the department’s work is based at the University of Virginia, the impact of department members is much larger than Charlottesville. Below are a few more leadership roles and accolades among the UVA Radiology community.
Alan
H. Matsumoto, MD
Chair, ACR Board of Chancellors
Since spring of 2024, Professor Alan H. Matsumoto, MD has continued in his role as chair of the American College of Radiology’s Board of Chancellors. Founded in 1923, the ACR is a professional medical society representing more than 40,000 physicians across the United States and Canada. Dr. Matsumoto previously served as vice chair for the ACR’s Board of Chancellors, and he is the first Asian American to be selected for the position.
“Having known and worked with Dr. Matsumoto since 1983, he has been, and continues to be, a tireless advocate for radiology, radiologists, and the patients we serve,” said ACR CEO William T. Thorwarth Jr., MD, when Dr. Matsumoto was named to the post. “In his various roles, he has been a tremendous asset to the ACR and is the perfect choice to lead our profession into the future as chair of the ACR Board of Chancellors.”
Alan H. Matsumoto, MD
Ziv Haskal, MD
Distinguished Alumnus, Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Ziv Haskal, MD
In February, it was announced that Professor Ziv Haskal, MD had earned the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine at Boston University. The award recognizes Dr. Haskal’s professional achievements in the field of interventional radiology, as well as his impact in advancing clinical care, according to Daniel J. Oates, the president of the alumni association at Boston University’s School of Medicine. Dr. Haskal will receive the award in person during a September luncheon.
Deborah Berry Mammography Chapter Delegate, American Society of Radiologic Technologists
In March 2025, Mammography Technologist Deborah Berry was elected by her peers to serve as one of two Mammography Chapter Delegates for the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT). Since its inception in 1920, the ASRT is the largest and oldest membership association for medical imaging technologists and radiation therapists, with more than 156,000 members nationwide. As part of Berry’s twoyear term, she will attend chapter meetings and the ASRT Annual Governance and House of Delegates Meeting to advocate for mammography technologists and impact field of medical imaging.
