On a cool Friday morning in early June, faculty, staff, and administrators clustered around linen-draped tables, their coffee cups rapidly emptying between bites of continental breakfast and bits of conversation. The elegant surroundings of the Michael C. Carlos Museum’s third-floor Reception Hall suggested hushed tones, but nervous, last-minute rehearsals and excited catching-up with colleagues filled the air with cheerful chatter.

“Thank you for your energy and excitement,” Dr. Carolyn Meltzer, department chair, said, beaming, as she welcomed everyone to the Radiology Leadership Academy (RLA) 2016 project presentations and graduation. 

“Why do we do this?” she asked the suddenly quiet crowd, referring to the year-long intensive leadership development program. “Because Radiology is not about the technology, it’s really about the people. Everyone in our department is really smart. RLA is about developing that talent, nurturing the ability to lead from behind, as part of a team, to innovate and achieve excellence for the health of our patients.”

The Class of 2016 then showcased all it had learned; its three teams presented their final projects. Lively Q&A followed each presentation.

The B Team presented a plan to amplify the department’s online presence using social media, complete with a new committee and staffing to coordinate and manage social media campaigns. 

The HuMDiNgers rolled out a plan for improving imaging quality through education for and engagement of the department’s imaging technologists using the Fair and Just Culture model. 

Comrad One proposed a strategy for improving communication within the department called Communication 3.0, designed to enable Radiology to communicate, collaborate, and connect.

Congratulations to the Class of 2016 for a job very well done!

Lauren Alexander – Assistant Professor of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Abdominal Imaging

Nichole Brown – MRI Supervisor at Winship Cancer Institute

Kim Cross – Health Educator, Medical Imaging Program

Jamie Dennis – Manager, Emory Johns Creek Hospital

Paul Harkey – Assistant Professor of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Community Radiology Specialists

C. Matt Hawkins – Assistant Professor of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Pediatric Radiology

Mark Lux – Manager, Executive Park and Buford Imaging Center

Hui Mao – Professor of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering, MR Research Lab

Dwania McGhee – Diagnostic Radiology Supervisor, EUH

Susan Reich – Clinical Sonographer, EUHM

D. Gail Walls – Nurse Practitioner, EUHM

Matt Zygmont – Assistant Professor of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emergency Radiology

The celebration culminated with the announcement of the Class of 2017, which later kicked off their RLA experience with orientation in mid-August:

Laura Benson – Manager, Clinical Operations

Brian Goertemiller – System Software Specialist III, PACS Team Lead

Tarek Hanna – Assistant Professor of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emergency Radiology

Anna Holbrook – Assistant Professor of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Breast Imaging

Nadja Kadom – Associate Professor of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Director of Pediatric Neuroradiology

Billy Latham, Jr. – Physician Liaison

Sadhna Nandwana –  Assistant Professor of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Abdominal Imaging

Janice Newsome – Acting Associate Professor of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Interventional Radiology and Image Guided Medicine and Chief of IR Service, EUHM 

Michael Panas – Supervisor, General Diagnostic Radiology, EUHM

Tracy Powell – Lead Advanced Practice Provider

Robin Sark – Radiology Nurse Manager, EUH

Puneet Sharma – Assistant Professor, MRI Physicist

“We have a very bright, talented and engaged group on our hands (again!)” said Deb Smith, MBA, director of strategic integration and director of RLA. “It’s always so exciting to kick off a new year in the RLA.” 

Launched in 2008, RLA deliberately mixes twelve emerging leaders from across the department—clinical and research faculty, residents, clinical and administrative staff, and administrators—for leadership skills development, knowledge building, and team work. The class meets monthly to study state-of-the-art leadership tools and theories and learn about issues and advancements challenging the department. Class members also devote countless extra hours working in teams on a real-world Business of Radiology project.