Staff across Johns Hopkins Radiology came together to celebrate the recent graduates of the Future Leaders program.

Established in 2006, the program seeks to identify and develop potential leaders from all department areas. Managers nominate staff for the eight-month program, which includes workshops to build communication, presentation and other leadership skills. The Johns Hopkins Hospital program has evolved through the years to also include staff from JH Imaging, JHU Radiology, Bayview Medical Imaging Center, HCGH, Sibley and Suburban Radiology Departments.

This year’s cohort included 21 participants that worked together in four teams for the capstone project. The program is coordinated by LaKiesha Brown, assistant director and JHMI Green Spring Station site manager; Michelle Casler, JHH MRI clinical manager; and Bina Patel, radiology clinical integration manager – all of whom served as masters of ceremony during the graduation ceremony held at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in the Chevy Chase Auditorium.

The event included prerecorded comments from Dr. Karen Horton, chair of the Department of Radiology as well as remarks from Peg Cooper, radiology operations administrator and Andrew Menard, executive director of radiology strategy and innovation. In his remarks to graduates, Menard praised the Future Leaders program, noting that it is part of what sets Johns Hopkins Radiology apart from other radiology programs.

The ceremony also included the distribution of certificates as well as two awards. The first award honored the winning team, selected based on points earned for achievements throughout the program.

Members of the winning team include Stephaney Duke, interventional radiology technologist; Jean Dale, radiology office coordinator; Eric Given, senior MRI technologist; Jeanine Stearns, collection specialist; Danielle Savino, radiology technologist; and Alyssa Webster, senior radiology technologist.

The 2023 Future Leaders Valedictorian was Jean Dale. In her remarks, she took a moment to thank her colleagues, recognizing the close bond they have formed over eight months together.

“I know I said yesterday that I wished I’d had this program when I was younger,” Jean said – voice thick with emotion – concluding, “ but then I would have missed out on all of you.”