It has been another remarkable year of growth and transformation in the Johns Hopkins Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science. We have embraced change, welcomed new faces, and celebrated the enduring commitment of our long-serving faculty and staff members who have ventured into new roles. With every stride, we have made significant headway in enhancing patient services, propelling our research initiatives, and enriching our educational programs for residents and fellows.

Amidst the expansion in volume, locations, and the diverse scope of our department, one unswerving priority remains-- our people, who constitute the heart of Johns Hopkins Radiology. It gives me immense pleasure to introduce several new and existing leadership role changes that underscore our commitment to this priority. Dr. Kelvin Hong has assumed the role of Executive Vice Chair, alongside Dr. Robert (Bud) Liddell leading the Interventional Radiology Division, Dr. Lilja Solnes leading Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, and Dr. Stefan Zimmerman leading the Diagnostic Imaging Division. For a complete update on faculty leadership roles, please refer to page 4.

Our department's talent extends beyond faculty, and we are thrilled to welcome Mary Fasano as the Director of the Schools of Medical Imaging, a vital pipeline for technologists. Cheryl Shoats, who returned to the Johns Hopkins Hospital from Bayview Medical Center, now serves as the Director of Operations. Michelle Casler is embarking on a new role as Director of Education.

Clinical

Across our outpatient sites in the greater Baltimore and National Capital Region, our commitment to patient care remains unwavering. We have introduced significant equipment improvements, expanded operating hours, and broadened the range of services. At Green Spring Station, we successfully installed a new PET/CT facility, greatly satisfying our referring providers. Further enhancements are underway, with equipment upgrades and replacements, along with plans to open another imaging site in Columbia, MD.

Within our reading rooms, our dedication to staying at the forefront of clinical applications is evident. We are pioneering the integration of Artificial Intelligence into clinical work flow. Drs. Tony Lin, Emily Ambinder, and Lisa Mullen are leading the charge, with negotiations underway for AI software that will support the interpretation of mammograms, serving as a second "expert reader."

Research

Our support for research excellence is also unwavering. The Radiology Physician-Scientist Incubator program continues, with this year's recipient, Dr. Christopher Bailey, benefitting from additional protected time and resources to advance his research. 

Dr. George Sgouros has received national recognition from the American Association of Physicists in Medicine for his contributions to radiopharmaceutical therapy. 

Additionally, plans are underway to install a state-of-the-art research PET/CT scanner, thanks to the successful NIH HEI Grant application spearheaded by Dr. Martin Lodge.

It's a source of immense pride to witness our Radiology faculty members receiving recognition on institutional, national, and global fronts for their invaluable work.

Education

Our residency program continues to flourish, offering new clinical, educational, and research opportunities to our residents. The Resident Research Lead Program, guided by Dr. Vivek Yedavalli and Dr. Farzad Sedaghat, provides crucial support by helping residents identify their research interests and connecting them with faculty mentors.

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of faculty members such as Dr. Pamela Johnson and the generosity of donors like Dr. Sheldon Bearman, a state-of-the-art ultrasound simulation lab has been established, enabling our residents to hone their clinical skills through cutting-edge simulation equipment.

Our faculty and staff eagerly embrace new projects that push the boundaries within our clinical, research, and educational missions. The future of Johns Hopkins Radiology is filled with exciting opportunities and advancements.

As always, we welcome the continued engagement of our alumni and donors. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or if there is any way you would like to be involved in our department's ongoing journey.

Sincerely,

Karen M. Horton, M.D.
Martin W. Donner Professor of Radiology
Director, Russell H. Morgan Department of
Radiology and Radiological Science