Images newsletter - Fall/Winter 2014

Newsletter of the
Department of Radiology,
School of Medicine at the
University of
North Carolina
at Chapel Hill
and the
University of North
Carolina Hospitals
cyclotron-driven Radiochemistry:
The Future of Applied Imaging at UNC's BRIC
Inside this Issue:
Cover Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Awards & Recognition . . . . . . . . 3-4
Spotlight on Education . . . . . . . . 5
Alumnus Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Chairman's Corner. . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Word from our Chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Impact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
New Faculty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-11
New Residents/Fellows . . . . . . .12-15
Faculty Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17-18
Faculty Publications . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-20
When Department of Radiology Associate Professor Dr. Zibo Li arrived at UNC’s Marsico Hall in June 2014,
the 340,000-square-foot, highly customized imaging research facility housing his new work space had opened its
doors only three months prior. Inside Marsico, UNC's Biomedical Research Imaging Center (BRIC) had taken
over three of the building’s nine floors to accommodate a rapidly growing base of translational cancer and other
health science imaging research at UNC. With vastly expanded space and the push to establish fully operating
facilities by year’s end, the BRIC was ready to put Li’s background to work as Director of its new Radiochemistry
and Cyclotron Facility.
Prior to UNC, Li was at University of Southern California (USC)’s Molecular Imaging Center developing novel
radiolabeling methods and multi-modality molecular imaging probes for a range of translational health science
research projects. Visiting UNC in 2011 and 2013, he was impressed with the University’s robust biomedical
research and imaging environment, as well as faculty excitement over the BRIC’s future capacities in watching the
formerly named “Imaging Research Building” take shape during early construction. With the State of North Carolina’s 2009 establishment of the $50 million University Cancer Research Fund at UNC, Li had also found a fitting
place to continue his primary area of focus developing novel radiochemistry for cancer diagnosis.
“When I learned that the Imaging Research Building would be housing the BRIC’s new radiochemistry program,
I saw a role for myself at UNC,” noted Li. “The research
expertise was already in place, and the environment was
conducive for collaborating in many areas of applied
imaging research. My ideal work environment would be
a cyclotron facility that produces the exact probes needed
for applied PET/MR and PET/CT imaging research being
conducted within the same building.”
During these two visits, Li further observed where his
radiochemistry expertise could support clinical trial
initiatives within the Department of Radiology, such as
Assistant Professor Dr. Yueh Z. Lee’s fluorothymidine
Drs. Zibo Li, Zhanhong Wu and Eric Smith are establishing the BRIC’s Radiochemistry and Cyclotron Facility to PET/Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced (DCE) MRI brain
support applied imaging research at UNC by early 2015 tumor imaging pilot study. He also identified ways he and
Professor and Nuclear Medicine Division Chief Dr. Terry
Wong could collaborate to develop and test onsite production of novel PET imaging probes for optimizing visualization and delineation of tumor heterogeneity in patients.
“Basic researchers routinely care less about clinical application and more about producing pre-clinical scientific
results. Nonetheless, our work is cross-disciplinary, and there’s a lot of room to tighten the relationship between
the basic and clinical research communities. The PET imaging field needs to maintain its purpose producing clinically relevant probes, and I’m looking forward to providing applied PET imaging support across UNC’s disciplines,” stated Li.
Beyond cancer application, Li’s radiotracer production will also support cardiac imaging research at the BRIC,
such as Assistant Professor of Radiology Dr. Hongyu An’s major funded cerebrovascular disease study. Awarded
in early 2014, An’s NIH-funded R01 examines validation of MRI use to measure oxygen extraction fraction as a
cerebral oxygen metabolic parameter. The only established imaging measure for quantifying cerebral oxygenation
– O15 positron emission tomography (O15 PET) – requires an onsite cyclotron.
Regarding An’s research, Li noted: “For radioisotopes with a very short half-life, a day’s worth can only be produced locally. The half-life of some O15 water radioisotopes is two and a half minutes. It can support Dr. An’s
images
is the newsletter of the
Department of Radiology
School of Medicine
of the University of
North Carolina at
Chapel Hill and the University
of North Carolina Hospitals
Published by the Department of
Radiology, School of Medicine,
The University of North Carolina.
CB# 7510
Old Clinic Building
Chapel Hill, NC
27599-7510
Phone: (919) 966-4238
www.med.unc.edu/radiology
Department Chair
Matthew A. Mauro, MD
Excecutive Vice Chair
Paul L. Molina, MD
Associate Chair for
Administration
Robert Collichio, MPA
Residency
Program Director
Robert G. Dixon, MD
Editor
Laurie Birdsong
Graphic Layout
Elizabeth Bowen
continued from page 1
cerebral oxygenation study within our BRIC facilities, but
by comparison, we couldn’t even apply this radiotracer to
patient PET imaging right across the street at UNC Hospitals (UNCH). Having a consolidated core facility with a
cyclotron, scanner, and a radiochemistry program within
one building is an advantage that most medical centers
worldwide do not have.”
Research Assistant Professor Dr. Zhanhong Wu has also
served as a BRIC radiochemist since August 2014. As with
Li, a primary role for Wu is linking the University’s basic
and clinical research community to the BRIC’s applied
imaging capacities. Wu will be guiding University neuroresearchers through using the radiochemistry program to
facilitate their funded brain imaging clinical trials at UNC,
just as her own neuroimaging research will rely on it for
novel PET probe support.
Wu noted: “Novel radiochemistry has been a major driving force in advancing imaging probe development for
multiple areas of disease research. Novel labeling methods
allow us to modify compounds with minimum disturbance
of their binding affinity, as well as label compounds that
might be very difficult to synthesize previously. Many
molecular changes linked to disease cannot be detected
efficiently without the PET agents. With applied PET imaging, our new program will give UNCH clinicians better
information on early diagnosis, prognosis and personalized
medicine for improving patient management.
The novel PET agents that result can then be translated
to clinical usage that provides important information for
managing patient therapy.”
As the year winds down, Li must ensure the timeline for
the BRIC’s new core facility at Marsico remains on track.
From early fall installation to late-year calibration, the
un-shielded 16.5 MeV GE PETtrace radiotracer-producing
cyclotron has stayed on schedule. Throughout October,
a shielded radiochemistry lab (“hot cell”-equipped “clean
room”) was established for large-scale production and
process optimization for synthesizing cyclotron-generated
radiotracers into research radiopharmaceuticals. By year’s
end, an FDA-compliant, cGMP (“current Good Manufacturing Practices”) laboratory for radiotracer production
will be installed with quality control (QC) instruments
validated. The end goal for getting the radiochemistry program off the ground is to generate the lab’s first radiotracers for patient research by early 2015.
The QC process is imperative to setting up a safely operating cGMP laboratory, and also a primary job function for
Research Associate Professor, Dr. Eric Smith, appointed
in August 2014 as the BRIC’s new Director of Radiopharmacy and Quality Management. Since he came on
board, Smith has been working closely with Li and Wu to
develop and implement FDA-compliant manufacturing
procedures and QCs for a large-scale production cGMP
lab. As equipment installation and laboratory construction approaches completion, Smith routinely participates
in outstanding architectural decision-making on facility
design.
2
cover story
Smith noted: “As this facility gets its central work underway, I am thrilled to be a part of the [Radiochemistry
and Cyclotron Facility] team from the start. Ensuring the
facility is designed and built to meet FDA regulatory standards is just as important as developing the proper SOPs
[Standard Operating Procedures] and QC methods. With
the proper design in place, procedures can be developed
to ensure consistency and quality in all the radiopharmaceuticals we manufacture.”
Another of Smith’s priorities specific to his new role is
developing an electronic records system for documenting
patient administration of radiotracer-based therapy. Such
a system enables tracing all aspects of production and
provides a clear audit trail that evidences compliance with
regulatory requirements.
As the Radiochemistry and Cyclotron Facility’s liaison
with UNCH clinicians, Smith will also be promoting
awareness of his facility’s applied imaging capabilities
across the disciplines. Such efforts may entail meeting
with clinicians to evaluate and determine patient case eligibility for radiotherapy research, or providing consult for
developing novel radiopharmaceutical agents for disease
diagnosis. Smith will also meet routinely with School of
Medicine faculty members to talk out how his laboratory
can develop drugs that are feasible for clinical practice
via applied imaging. One of his goals is to ensure the diagnostic agents and drugs he develops support human use
and exceed the requesting clinician’s expectations.
“Prior experience working with stateside and global
regulatory bodies motivates me to develop a facility at
UNC that not only meets standards, but also serves as
an example of quality and excellence. Whether we’re
producing radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic imaging or
radiolabeling molecules to enhance drug development, we
want to ensure the highest quality products are available
for our patients and investigators.”
Once the Radiochemistry and Cyclotron Facility is completed, the impact of what it leverages for the BRIC under
one roof at Marsico cannot be overstated. The range of
multi-disciplinary, applied imaging research that the facility will support is heavily tied to particle therapy-based
research using the BRIC’s hybrid PET/MRI whole-body
scanner (1st floor Marsico) and 7 Tesla MRI whole-body
scanner (Marsico sub-basement) installed in summer
2014. Rounded out by the cyclotron facility, UNC joins
Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital as the
only other academic medical center nationwide housing
this applied imaging trio in one building.
As Smith notes: “Translational research has been a hot
topic in recent years, and the infrastructure established
at UNC creates an environment that’s ideal for basic
scientists and clinicians to collaborate. The BRIC’s new
technologies will undoubtedly lead to discoveries that
advance patient outcomes and preserve UNC’s reputation
as a well-known institution of excellence.”
awards & recognition
The Department of Radiology would like to recognize Dr. Katherine Birchard for her selection and induction in May
2014 into the UNC School of Medicine (SOM)’s Academy of Educators (AOE). Each year, the AoE inducts SOM faculty who have demonstrated excellence in teaching, active participation in curricular innovation, and a scholarly approach
to education. Birchard was amongst 28 inductees in the AOE’s 2014 class and join a 237-member AOE body of faculty.
Birchard has received a number of teaching honors since joining Department faculty in 2007 as Assistant Professor in
the Division of Cardiothoracic Imaging. For her excellence in teaching, in June 2013, she received the Department’s
annual Charles A. Bream Teaching Award for 2012-2013 Radiology Resident Education, as chosen by the Department’s
Diagnostic Radiology residents. In May 2013, Birchard received the SOM’s Medical Student Advisor Award. As a
nominated and selected participant, Birchard also completed the SOM’s Teaching Scholars Program in July 2013.
In her time on faculty, Birchard has also taken on a number of leadership roles both in the department and in the School
of Medicine, including: serving as Director of Medical Student Education for the department, serving as the Radiology Coil leader for the new
Translational Educational Curriculum in the SOM, and serving as faculty advisor for the SOM Radiology Interest Group. She continues to participate on the Department’s Diagnostic Radiology Residency Recruitment Committee and Diagnostic Radiology Residency Curriculum Committee. Clinically, she continues to participate in multidisciplinary care programs, pulmonary fellows' conference, and can most often be found
collaborating with clinicians in the reading room.
“We are all teachers here, and the AOE serves to promote and support excellence in teaching. I hope to serve on the AOE Faculty development
committee, so that I can return to the department with ideas and strategies to help us be better teachers to residents and students."
The Department would like to congratulate Assistant Professor Dr. Wei Gao for being awarded National Institutes of
Health R03 funding ($228,000) in July 2014 as a Principal Investigator of a one-year study entitled, “Prenatal cocaine
exposure and functional connectivity in early infancy” (Multi-PI: Grewen K, Gao W). Via this study, Gao and UNC
Associate Professor of Psychiatry Dr. Karen Grewen will examine how environmental risk factors, particularly prenatal cocaine exposure (PCE), would alter the normal growth curves during infancy and advance the findings that years
of early childhood investigation have achieved regarding normal growth trajectories. Gao’s involvement in early brain
development research reinforces a broader goal within his work of contributing to published science on preventing and
treating mental disorders.
“This project represents a new and exciting multi-disciplinary endeavor. Together with Dr. Grewen, I look forward to
digging into the neural correlates of PCE during infancy. The insight gained in this project not only will improve our
scientific understanding but it will also help establish neuroimaging-based early identification of PCE-associated risks,
which ultimately would help guide early intervention and provide critical way to offset potential later cognitive malfunctions related to PCE.”
The Department of Radiology would like to congratulate Assistant Professor Dr. Louise Henderson for her acceptance into the UNC School of
Medicine (SOM)’s 2014-2015 Academic Career Leadership Academy in Medicine (ACCLAIM) Program. The goal of the ACCLAIM Program
is to provide leadership and career development opportunities for junior faculty members. Henderson and 11 other SOM
faculty began the program in September and have since benefitted from interactive weekly instruction, one-on-one coaching, and a three-day leadership retreat.
“I anticipate that the ACCLAIM Program will equip me with the skills to communicate more effectively with those in
other disciplines and will push me to critically evaluate my current approaches regarding research collaborations and
partnerships,” noted Henderson. “Only by building and fostering relationships with clinical partners will I be able to
ensure that my research is valuable to the larger community.”
Throughout the program’s one-year course, all ACCLAIM participants develop a project aimed at advancing research,
strengthening teaching and improving the health care system. For hers, Henderson is focusing on a new area of research
-- lung cancer screening – to build upon her prior experiences directing the Carolina Mammography Registry (CMR).
Since January 2014, Henderson has been building the foundation for a lung cancer screening registry at UNC Hospitals
(UNCH) via her National Cancer Institute (NCI)-funded R21 award. In developing this pilot project at UNCH in collaboration with Dr. Paul
Molina (Radiology), Dr. Patricia Rivera (Medicine), and Dr. Susan Maygarden (Pathology), Henderson also has the basis to develop her ACCLAIM project.
3
awards & recognition
The Department of Radiology would like to recognize Assistant Professor Dr. Sheila Lee for her acceptance into the
UNC School of Medicine (SOM)’s 2014-2015 Teaching Scholars Program. Nominated by Department Chairman Dr.
Matt Mauro, Lee started the program with nine other selected SOM faculty in September. Program participants share in
common oversight of SOM and/or department-specific educational programs or courses, as well as a teaching focus in
their duties on faculty.
Lee noted: “Over the last couple of years, our Breast Imaging division has devoted considerable time and effort into
elevating resident education. We have recognized a need for adapting our teaching methods to reflect the new format of
the [American Board of Radiology]’s diagnostic radiology core and certifying exams and to round out the rotation experience for junior residents. There is enthusiasm for teaching at all levels including medical students, Surgery, Radiation and
Medical Oncology residents as well as visiting international scholars. I am lucky to work with enthusiastic and proactive
faculty.
In 12 months’ time, Teaching Scholars Program participants will develop skills in teaching and assessing learners and also familiarize themselves
with major issues in contemporary medical education. Designed to promote expertise in medical education, the program incorporates monthly
seminars and projects that develop individual educational interests. Participating faculty report their project results to their colleagues at a yearconcluding symposium and are recognized as medical education scholars upon graduation.
“My absolute favorite responsibility is educating residents and patients. Through interactive teaching, I can appreciate an individual's baseline
knowledge and skill set, and I often learn something from them in the process too! I am looking forward to acquiring new skills, particularly in
assessing the value of new projects and helping residents with their educational endeavors! I am always open to novel approaches and feedback."
The Department would like to recognize Chairman and Ernest H. Wood Distinguished Professor of Radiology Dr. Matthew A. Mauro for his
selection in August 2014 as Chair Liaison for the UNC Health Care System (UNC HCS). Appointed by School of Medicine (SOM) Dean and
UNC HCS CEO Dr. Bill Roper, Mauro will work closely with Rex Healthcare President David Strong and UNC Faculty Physicians President
Dr. Allen Daugird to identify and facilitate opportunities for interested SOM departments to work with some or all of
UNC HCS’ eight affiliate hospitals (including UNC Hospitals) and physician groups.
“Acting as a healthcare system requires a degree of physician integration, as well as hospital-based integration. Physician integration is a more sensitive and difficult task, as most of the professional services within our affiliates are
provided by practitioners in the private sector. However, we must maintain uniform high standards of quality and safety
across all disciplines that represent the care our patients expect from UNC Health Care.”
Joining Mauro, six other SOM department chairs were also selected by Roper in late summer 2014 to serve as UNC
HCS clinical faculty practice liaisons, including: Department of Anesthesiology Chair Dr. David Zvara (Liaison to
UNCH Hillsborough Campus); Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Chair Dr. Daniel Clarke-Pearson (UNC
Physicians Network Board Member); Department of Radiation Oncology Chair Dr. Lawrence Marks (UNCH Physician
Practice Roundtable Liaison); Department of Pediatrics Chair Dr. Wesley Burks (Liaison to UNCH Working Group to
Facilitate Referrals); Department of Physical Rehabilitation and Medicine Chair Dr. Michael Lee (UNC Hospitals Executive Staff Liaison); and
Department of Neurosurgery Chair Matt Ewend (Epic@UNC Steering Committee Liaison).
The Department would like to congratulate Assistant Professor Dr. Matthew Parrott for his receipt of a three-year CTSA-KL2 Award in May 2014 from UNC’s North Carolina Translational & Clinical Sciences (NC TraCS) Institute for his
project entitled, "Positron Emission Tomography (PET) to Evaluate Nanoparticle Drug-Delivery." Dr. Parrott’s research
project will be conducted via the Carolina Institute for Nanomedicine and his faculty appointment at UNC’s Biomedical
Research Imaging Center (BRIC).
Since joining Department faculty in August 2012, Parrott has focused his ongoing research on the development of new
radiochemistry for PET and SPECT via rapidly screening and identifying drug delivery platforms for cancer imaging.
His BRIC-affiliated research laboratory group is investigating the in vivo fate and tumor accumulation of nanoparticles,
polymers and small molecules tracers. His research group uses nanotechnology, nuclear chemistry, and molecular imaging to identify nanomaterials with long blood circulation times and enhanced tumor accumulation.
“Three years of support from [NC TraCS] is a generous award that will springboard my career. The protection of 75% of my time will allow me to
focus on designing next-generation radiotracers and drug delivery platforms. Moreover, my appointment through UNC-Radiology, BRIC and the
Carolina Institute for Nanomedicine will facilitate rapid translation of these new materials."
4
spotlight on education
Changing Playing Field
The playing field for medical education has changed. No longer are we charged simply
with teaching radiology residents how to interpret images, generate differentials and perform
image-guided procedures. Now we are also required to educate and assess residents on such topics
as professionalism, ethics, communication, fatigue mitigation, patient safety and quality improvement.
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) recently visited
UNC for our first Clinical Learning Environment (CLER) visit. This was a two-day visit during
which the
ACGME team met with residents, faculty, program directors and our own Graduate Medical Education team. We were asked many questions during the program directors session: most centered
on teaching and assessing residents’ abilities with professionalism, fatigue management, and quality improvement. Very little (if any) had to deal with our ability to teach and assess clinical skills.
Similarly, all of the exams that radiology trainees and practicing radiologists will take
have significant portions dedicated to “non-interpretive skills.” Those of you who have already
been involved in Core or Maintenance of Certification (MOC) exams can attest to this.
Robert G. Dixon, MD
Diagnostic Radiology
Program Director
Lastly, when I receive calls from potential employers about our residents and fellows, most of the questions center
around similar topics: being a team player, communicating well with ancillary staff, functioning as a consultant, and dealing with disruptive behavior. Why is this? This is because these skills are what matter to employers who have had to manage
physicians for years. They do not ask me if the applicant can generate an exhaustive differential; employers ask can they can
get along with people, are they a leader and do they have interests in quality improvement or patient safety.
As an educator, the challenge is figuring out how to teach and evaluate such skills. While a discussion on this topic
is well beyond the scope of this “Spotlight,” it is clear that one of the most important ways is by role modeling. Those of us
involved in medical education need to keep that in mind, as a little investment of time on such topics now will have large
down-stream payouts for our profession.
In the School of Medicine, the new Translational Education at Carolina (TEC) curriculum
began in July 2014. In the new TEC curriculum, the first two years of the "traditional" curriculum
are condensed into 18 months and are organized into systems-based blocks. For example, in the
"Cardiovascular" block, students learn normal anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system,
cardiovascular pathology, pharmacology, EKGs, and imaging. After those 18 months, students begin
12 months of clinical clerkships, which are also systems-based. For example, the traditional pediatric
clerkship has been replaced by a clinical block called "The Developing Human," where students are
exposed to pediatrics, peri-natal OB, and family practice. The fourth year of the TEC is much the
same as it is now.
The Department of Radiology has been integrated into the TEC curriculum as a "Coil" to
stretch throughout the entire curriculum. As the Radiology Coil Leader, I will serve as the liason
between block and clerkship leaders and our department. We will be asked to provide imaging
lectures for many of these blocks, and I will be contacting members of the department to give appropriate lectures. Although it seems daunting, it is to our advantage to have the
opportunity to expose medical students to radiology early and often during their education.
5
Katherine R. Birchard, MD
Medical Student
Education Director
alumnus profile
Over five+ years in one workplace, former Diagnostic Radiology resident Scott Zelasko (2005-2009) has assumed a considerable bit of oversight. Associate Residency Program Director. Diagnostic Imaging Medical
Director. Women’s Imaging Section Chief. Assistant Professor of Radiology. Just as Zelasko stood out amongst
peers while serving as Chief Resident at UNC, his present-day scope of workplace responsibility indicates he has
gained considerable notice in early career. A valued resident, Zelasko stood alongside six classmates in 2009 as newly minted, board-certified radiologists. While the others entered fellowship programs to obtain a hirable, subspecialized edge beyond residency,
Zelasko was sufficiently and desirably trained to start practice. Choosing to apply his Diagnostic Radiology
training immediately post-residency uniquely linked to Zelasko’s career track. He was coming on board as a new
staff radiologist with the United States Air Force (USAF).
“The military's ideal radiologist is a generalist who can cover most services. We typically have one or
two fellowship-trained radiologists in each area to serve as the main teacher for residents, and as a consultant for
other staff,” noted Zelasko.
“A particular value is placed in the military on having physicians who are able to juggle various roles in
administration, apart from medical practice itself. Throughout [David Grant Medical Center], we’re challenged
Zelasko family hiking in the
by added military duties, staff that rotate frequently due to deployment or separation, constant turnover of almost
northern Lake Tahoe area
always brand new technologists, and technological difficulties due to tight military network control.”
Commissioned with the USAF since 1998, Zelasko graduated from MCP Hahnemann School of Medicine
and headed straight to David Grant Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base (AFB), CA, for his preliminary year in general surgery. Post-internship, he
entered military medicine as a flight surgeon with the 79th Rescue Squadron out of Davis Monthan AFB near Tucson, AZ, for two years before arriving at
UNC.
At UNC, Zelasko became one of many military physicians who specialize at university-based teaching hospitals and then return to military bases
post-residency to put their skills to work. In one way of looking at it, Travis AFB essentially let UNC have Zelasko for four years, and then they asked for
him back.
At David Grant Medical Center, Zelasko’s workplace resembles a smaller teaching hospital where military structure applies to all levels of operations. As Associate Program Director, Zelasko assists with oversight of a 12-resident training program, as well as teaching rotating Uniformed Services
University of the Health Sciences medical students.
“In helping run a smaller military-based residency program, I’m pleased I was exposed to the inner workings of a larger program during my
chief residency year. At UNC, I had to walk the line between advocating for my peer residents and assisting the program director with residency-related
matters. In my present roles as Associate Residency Program Director and Diagnostic Imaging Medical Director, I have to serve as a bridge between the
residency and the diagnostic imaging department.”
Zelasko’s return to Travis AFB allows him anew to explore the northern California area around 35 miles northeast of San Francisco with his
busy five-person household. With the East Bay area’s small, historic town of Benicia, CA, serving as home base, the Zelaskos are perched at the edge of
multiple outdoor areas that are all a short drive away.
“Our family frequently goes to Tahoe to enjoy the lakes in the summer and the snow in the winter. The area near Lake Tahoe’s north shore is one
of my favorite spots on earth. It’s perfect for escaping to our cabin there, where there’s no phone, Internet, or cable service. We spend our time there doing
basically anything outside, like hiking, mountain biking, running, fishing, canoeing, and of course, s’mores-making in the fire pit for the kids!”
“We have camped in Yosemite every year we've been here and have had close encounters with bears, raccoons, and deer. One year we had to
leave in a hurry due to a flood, and this year we were there while they were fighting a large forest fire. It is a breathtaking national park and one that I
encourage everyone to try to visit.”
Known amongst fellow residents while at UNC as the guy who’d take a crew out on [the Triangle area’s] Jordan Lake in his ski boat, Zelasko
now goes along for the ride. He enjoys occasionally sailing on and helping beach a friend’s boat to get a beer at the small town across the waterway from
their front doors. Away from the kids, Zelasko has also driven the short, 20-minute distance from home to Napa and Sonoma Valleys with his wife, exploring wineries and restaurants to the extent they’ve determined their preference in region (Carneros) and family winery (Truchard).
Though the household’s love for their nook of northern California runs deep, Zelasko can easily articulate what North Carolina became to him
personally, through his profession:
“Ashley and I both really miss Chapel Hill, UNC, and all of our friends from North Carolina. We would love to move back someday. I cannot think of a better place than UNC to do a fellowship and hopefully one day to be on staff. When I’d graduated residency and it was time to leave, we
definitely felt like we left our ‘home.’”
6
Chairman's corner
UNC Health Care System (UNC HCS) prides itself on growing its base of outpatient facilities and affiliate hospitals
across North Carolina to ensure the greatest accessibility to clinical care for the patients it serves. A major role for
UNC School of Medicine (SOM) department chairs and division chiefs is to establish
clinical service footholds at these UNC HCS’ multi-disciplinary facilities as the system
grows. As Department of Radiology Chair, I’ve overseen efforts to extend our services
beyond UNC’s campus in recent years through establishing imaging care at such outpatient facilities in North Carolina’s Triangle area as UNC Hospitals Imaging and Spine
Center and the Hillsborough Medical Office Building.
The UNC Medical Center (representing UNC Hospitals and UNC School of Medicine as
one) has been called UNC HCS’ cornerstone, rightfully so as a top-tier academic medical
center and Level 1 Trauma Center. As the volume of patients seeking care at UNC Hospitals grows, UNC HCS’ reach across North Carolina has grown to seven affiliate hospitals,
extending as far west as Pardee Memorial Hospital in Hendersonville, and as far east as
Nash Health Care in Rocky Mount. With each newly added affiliate, another opportunity
exists for UNC Medical Center’s clinical faculty to connect with their counterparts at a
facility that newly represents our system’s patient care. Whether it’s growing UNC HCS’
referral network or establishing new partnerships in comprehensive care, UNC SOM faculty have significantly aided
the system’s overall expansion in services through initiating collaborations with their colleagues at other UNC HCS
affiliates statewide.
To reinforce oversight of a statewide hospital network, late this past summer UNC SOM Dean and UNC HCS CEO Dr.
Bill Roper tapped seven SOM department chairs to serve as liaisons representing the clinical faculty practice for UNC
HCS across North Carolina. My selection as Chair Liaison for UNC HCS is a part of Dr. Roper’s plan for having top
departmental leadership facilitate discussion throughout our eight-hospital system relating to the challenges faced by
colleagues in clinical practice at each facility. In my new role, I’ll be working closely with Rex Healthcare President
David Strong and UNC Faculty Physicians President Dr. Allen Daugird to identify and facilitate opportunities for interested SOM departments to work with any of our seven affiliate hospitals, as well private practice groups linked to these
affiliates.
Keeping focus as well on radiological practice throughout UNC HCS, I’ve also recently begun overseeing efforts to
integrate imaging services across the system via the creation of the UNC Imaging Consortium. The first meeting of the
Imaging Consortium was held in early October at UNC HCS affiliate High Point Regional Hospital. In attendance at
this kick-off meeting were the top radiology administrators from all seven UNC HCS affiliate hospitals, as well as the
private practice heads of all imaging groups affiliated with UNC HCS. At this kick-off, the consortium decided to begin
our UNC HCS-wide discussions on imaging quality, safety and vendor consolidation.
In order to better serve North Carolinians, UNC’s Department of Radiology has already proven successful at establishing and providing quality imaging care at UNC HCS facilities away from UNC Hospitals. We must continue such
practice to ensure we do not operate within a vacuum. Via my two new leadership roles, I’m pleased to aid UNC HCS’
advancement of patient care as a clinical faculty member dedicated to serving the broadest constituency possible within
a statewide healthcare system.
7
word from our chiefs
Q: The shift in timing for Diagnostic Radiology residency examination has affected our four-year
training program’s structure considerably, right down to when new chief residents are named.
What are your thoughts on serving out your Chief/Associate Chief term during your fourth training year as the Department’s second class to have taken the post third-year, core physics exam?
Cardella: “The Chief Resident in most specialties serves during his/her final year of training. It’s a
bit unusual for our Chief Resident to have served historically during third year. I think the new paradigm where the Chief Resident serves during the fourth and final year of training brings Radiology in
line with other specialties. The additional year of training and experience certainly proves beneficial
when making scheduling and other logistical decisions.”
L-R, J.T. Cardella, MD (Chief Resident) &
Cizman: “I believe this paradigm shift is better in the long-term, as it gives a person dedicated time
Ziga Cizman, MD (Associate Chief Resident)
to devote to the role of Chief Resident. This allows more time to develop, implement and observe
projects that aim to improve a resident's experience.”
Q: What are some issues and activities you’ll work on this year that directly relate to your role as Chief/Associate Chief Residents?
Cardella: “With the unveiling of [Epic@UNC, UNC Health Care’s new integrated electronic patient medical records system] last spring, there
have been many changes to the Radiology workflow. As our department is integrated into the new system, we’ve improved that workflow by
adding a fourth screen to most of the critical workstations to allow more efficient access to patient medical records. Workstation efficiency and
ergonomics will remain a focus of mine this year. Another major focus will be addressing the physics curriculum, as related to the new [American Board of Radiology] Core Exam’s areas of emphasis.”
Cizman: “We are hoping to develop a well-rounded physics curriculum with the help of [Diagnostic Radiology Program Director] Dr. Bob Dixon, [Associate Professor of Radiology & Clinical Physicist] Dr. Marija Ivanovic, and the Resident Optimization Committee. We want to prepare
residents for the Core Exam and also provide them a solid foundation for the [Maintenance of Certification] exam.”
Q: As the first Chief/Associate Chief Residents to serve in these roles during your final residency year, what program and professional
interests are competing with the time and demands of your roles?
Cardella: “A big part of our new Radiology curriculum is the ability to pursue a 3-month or 6-month selective in a subspecialty area of interest.
Balancing the demands of a rigorous Vascular-Interventional Radiology [VIR] selective with the steady demands of being Chief Resident will
both challenge me and present an opportunity to further hone my organizational skills and efficiency.”
Cizman: “Keeping up with the demands of a rigorous six-month VIR selective should make for a challenging, but interesting year. This should
prepare me for the future and help with my organizational skills.”
Q: The chiefs who preceded you (Drs. Sarah Thomas and Fernando Boschini) served for 20 months before the role was shifted to back to 12
months. What seasoned advice did either impart regarding how to best handle your responsibilities, including managing your peers?
Cardella: “Sarah and Fernando were model chief residents, and Ziga and I are fortunate to have had the opportunity to observe them for nearly
two full years. They set a high standard for the Chief and Co-Chief residents! Of all the advice they imparted to us, I would say the most profound was to stay organized and positive.”
Cizman: “Listening is half the battle, the other half is keeping up with emails. You also can’t forget important calendar-year events, like setting
up the annual, much-hyped residents versus faculty/fellows basketball game.”
Q: What subspecialty, and at what institution, will you pursue beyond residency graduation in June 2015? Do you have more of an interest in
academia or private practice?
Cardella: “I will begin my VIR fellowship at the University of Virginia in July 2015. Beyond fellowship, I hope to pursue a career in academic
radiology. My wife, [UNC’s] current Internal Medicine Chief Resident, is hoping to pursue a fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. Our future career paths will undoubtedly require a healthy dose of balance and a little luck!”
Cizman: “I will be heading to Emory Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences for a Vascular-Interventional Radiology fellowship, with
the hope of staying in academia.”
Q: Any evidence-based insights on whether the faculty stands a chance at winning the annual resident vs. faculty basketball game this spring?
Cardella: “Although the streak was recently broken, I think the smart money is on the resident team this year!”
Cizman: “I don't want to inflame this heated rivalry by saying something that will serve as motivation, i.e. “blackboard material,” to the faculty.
But no matter the outcome, everybody still gets pizza.”
8
impact - Joseph A. Taylor student assistance fund
At UNC Hospitals (UNCH), former Radiology Operations Manager Joe Taylor was known for motivating staff and
affirming their hard work. In his field, he’s remembered for introducing standardized radiologic training to an underresourced region that in the 1960s had no trained imaging care staff.
To honor Taylor’s commitment to advancing radiologic care over his 50-year career, Joe’s wife and current
UNC Hospitals Breast Imaging Supervisor Kathy Taylor set out to create a student assistance fund after his death
in 2007. Friends and family of Joe’s, as well as UNC Hospitals Associate Vice President for Radiology Mike DeGennaro and the Medical Foundation of North Carolina, became integral to fundraising efforts. Seven years after Joe’s
passing, in summer 2014, the Joseph A. Taylor Student Assistance Fund reached its $20,000 endowment goal.
In 1965, Joe Taylor arrived in Sylva, NC, from Jacksonville, FL, to serve as the new technical director at C.J.
Harris Community Hospital’s Radiology Department. Despite protocols in better-equipped facilities strictly reserving
radiologic care for registered RTs, at this 50-bed rural hospital, lab techs were operating the imaging equipment. On
a broader and bleaker scale, Joe was the only registered radiologic technologist (RT) working within the 10 westernmost North Carolina counties.
Former UNCH Radiology
Taylor tried recruiting registered RTs from beyond the area to no success. He was compelled to start a program Operations Mgr. Joe Taylor
with proper X-ray technology training, and in 1972, C.J. Harris’ Community Hospital School of Radiologic Technology
welcomed its first class. With Joe serving as program director, the school quickly earned a reputation for producing well-trained students who
relieved a woefully lacking base of skilled imaging staff around western North Carolina. Because the area had so few skilled RTs, C.J. Harris
students could apply what they’d learned through extensive hands-on training. In 1986, the hospital’s radiologic technology school became a
new health sciences program at Sylva’s two-year Southwestern Community College.
"Joe's passion was teaching students,” noted Kathy. “It was well-known in the area that the two-year program he’d founded produced
well-trained technologists."
Taylor’s introduction of critically needed radiologic technology training generated notice beyond North Carolina. Tallahassee Regional
Memorial Medical Center in Florida recruited him to start a program. Soon thereafter, Rome Floyd Medical Center in Georgia enlisted Joe to
help its radiologic technology program regain accreditation.
When UNCH sought a new radiology technology director in the early 1990s, Taylor was the choice candidate, and the Taylor family
began their next chapter in North Carolina. In a medical center with a long-established policy of educating and hiring well-trained RTs, UNCH
quickly broadened Joe’s role to operations management.
At UNCH, Taylor earned a reputation for motivating his staff, being organized and effectively managing people, as well as teaching
them how to manage others. He also enriched UNCH’s imaging care through implementing ideas drawn from his familiarity with large-hospital, systems-based practice. For years, UNCH’s technologists had disliked the inconsistency of films. Taylor’s introduction of quality assurance standards spurred an overdue reorganization of film management. Every Monday morning, he held quality-assurance meetings, reviewing
weekend films with his staff and coaching them on improving performance.
In radiologic technology roles ranging from pediatric imaging supervisor to staff development, Janet Foushee spent many of her 31
years at UNCH working with Taylor.
Foushee reflected: “When Joe recruited me from [UNC’s] School of Dentistry, the Children's Hospital was under development, and he
asked me to help design the pediatric imaging division. He got me excited about the future of radiology at UNC Hospitals. Joe had a way of
getting people involved in and excited about their jobs.”
“Throughout my many years in management, Joe Taylor taught me the most about managing employees. He had high expectations not
only of his supervisors, but also of himself. He developed leadership and management skills in his staff, modeling behavior that he wanted us to
see and follow. He never asked you to do anything that he wouldn't do as well. He was quick to
note when you had done something remarkable.”
For the past two years, imaging technologists, film managers, supervisors, managers,
directors and faculty alike have contributed to what it took to endow and sustain a $20,000 scholarship fund. Technologists fundraised in creative ways, such as selling raffle tickets for cornhole
boards made and donated by UNC Ambulatory Care Center Imaging Supervisor Jerry Jacobs.
UNC Department of Radiology faculty Drs. Cherie Kuzmiak, Marcia Koomen, Sheryl Jordan,
Sheila Lee, and James Scatliff, as well as Division of Radiologic Science Director Joy Renner,
were also key to the direct donation efforts that endowed the fund.
To date, the Joseph A. Taylor Student Assistance Fund has extended scholarship assistance
to eight students. Per academic year, it will supplement the tuition of one radiologic technology certificate program enrollee with demonstrated passion for radiology and a commitment to
Joseph A. Taylor Student Assistance Fund key
patient care.
fundraisers: (L to R) Drs. Sheila Lee &
Kathy noted: “Every year, I receive wonderful thank-you notes from those students who
Marcia Koomen, Mammography Supervisor
are chosen for the scholarship. Joe’s love of his family and friends was exceeded only by his
Kathy Taylor, Drs. Sheri Jordan & Cherie
Kuzmiak, Division of Radiologic Science
passion for the field of radiologic science, especially teaching future generations of radiologic
Director Joy Renner.
technologists. For more than 50 years, he was a trail-blazer in promoting and advancing the
profession.”
9
new Faculty
The Department was pleased to appoint Dr. Feng Shi in October 2013 as Research Assistant Professor, as affiliated with his neuroimaging research role at UNC’s Biomedical Research Imaging Center (BRIC). In the past year, Shi’s research has been based within the BRIC’s
Image Analysis Core Lab, directed by Dr. Dinggang Shen. As one of two core labs comprising the BRIC’s Image Display, Enhancement,
and Analysis (IDEA) Group, the Image Analysis Core Lab involves Shi in supporting the image storage and analysis needs for UNC basic
researchers, such as analyzing brain structural and functional imaging, and visualizing and measuring anatomy, physiology, and disease
processes.
Prior to his appointment, Shi was a post-doctoral research associate at the BRIC since 2008. Before that, he obtained his PhD and
Master of Science in Computer Science at Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Automation in Beijing, China. Shi’s post-graduate
studies were preceded by receiving his Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering from Peking University in Beijing.
“I’m glad to serve the image analysis needs of BRIC members and collaborators, as well as to conduct basic research exploring
the exciting brain development in very young children. BRIC has accumulated great resources of longitudinal imaging data and gathered
researchers with multidisciplinary backgrounds, which is beneficial for perusing these research goals.”
The Department was pleased to appoint Dr. Guorong Wu in May 2014 as Research Assistant Professor, in affiliation with his role at UNC’s Biomedical Research
Imaging Center (BRIC). Wu’s faculty appointment extends his five+ years as a post-doctoral fellow within the BRIC’s IDEA Lab, one of two core labs within
UNC’s Image Display, Enhancement, and Analysis (IDEA) Group.
From post-doctoral fellow to faculty member, Wu contributes to the IDEA Lab’s development of novel image analysis methods and
tools that apply to various UNC campus clinical research trials. Since joining the IDEA Lab, Wu has developed group-wise registration
algorithms for large population data analysis that apply to infant atlas building and early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). He has actively participated in promoting tools to clinical applications, including voxel-wise morphometry analysis, region of interest (ROI) analysis,
and brain connectivity network analysis. Currently, he is independently leading the development of segmentation and registration methods
for longitudinal image sequences, where the goal is to facilitate the ongoing early brain development studies conducted in UNC with accurate and robust computational measurements. Meanwhile, he's collaborating with UNC's [North Carolina] Cancer Hospital in developing
accurate motion estimation and super resolution techniques for lung cancer treatment, where he extends his experience from neuroimaging
field to image-guided radiation therapy.
Prior to his BRIC post-doctoral appointment in 2009, Wu served as a DSP Research Engineer at Pixelworks in Shanghai for two
years, developing kernel-based, pattern analysis methodology, with application to image interpolation, motion estimation, temporal noise
reduction, etc. In 2007, he obtained his PhD in Computer Science from Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s Computer Vision Laboratory in
Shanghai, China. Wu completed his Master of Science in Computer Science and his Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics at East China University of Science and Technology in Shanghai.
The Department was pleased to appoint Dr. Zibo Li in June 2014 as Research Associate Professor and Radiochemist, in affiliation with his new role as Director of the Radiochemistry and Cyclotron Facility at UNC’s Biomedical Research Imaging Center (BRIC). Working with radiochemist Dr.
Zhanhong Wu and radiopharmacist Eric Smith, Li has focused since early summer on getting the BRIC’s new radiochemistry program
operational for radiotracer and radiopharmaceutical production by early 2015 to support applied imaging research across UNC’s campus.
Prior to joining UNC, Li obtained his PhD in Chemistry in 2006 at University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. In post-doctoral
training at Stanford University’s Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford (MIPS) from 2006 to 2008, Li worked with a team that advanced
[RGD-based radiopeptides], the most widely used agent to deliver drugs, nanoparticles and imaging agents, to a Phase 1 clinical trial.
From 2008-2014, Li served as Assistant Professor of Radiology for six years at University of Southern California (USC)’s Molecular Imaging Center in Los Angeles, CA. During this time, Li’s work in radiochemistry focused on developing and validating novel radiolabeling
methods and multi-modality molecular imaging probes for application to diagnosis and drug discovery linked to cancer, diabetes, neurodisease, and cardiovascular disease. Prior to USC, Li also served as Senior Scientist at Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., producing
commercial radiotracers such as HX4, a novel marker for developing PET imaging probes.
“Given my background, I was pleased that my new BRIC faculty appointment earlier this year entailed heading up the establishment of UNC’s new radiochemistry program to support applied imaging activities of University basic and clinical researchers. I look
forward to helping a range of disciplines at UNC their advance translational science aims through the particle therapy-based output of our laboratories.”
The Department was pleased to appoint Dr. Ersan Altun in July 2014 as Attending Radiologist in its Abdominal Imaging division. Prior to his current appointment, Altun has been Clinical Research Fellow between 2005 and 2007, and Clinical Fellow from 2013 to 2014 in the Department’s Abdominal Imaging division.
In his new appointment, in addition to his clinical and didactic activities, Altun’s research will specifically focus on determining comparative effectiveness of different imaging techniques in different disease processes, as well as improving accuracy of these techniques.
Altun graduated summa cum laude from Marmara University School of Medicine in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1999 and completed his
Diagnostic Radiology residency at the same medical school in 2004. After briefly serving as radiologist at Marmara University’s Department
of Radiology post-residency, Altun came to UNC for his Clinical Research Fellowship in Body MRI. Since then, Altun has continued to
practice at both private and university-based hospitals in Istanbul between 2008 and 2011.
Altun became Associate Professor of Radiology in 2011, holding both academic and clinical appointments at Acibadem University
and Hospitals Group in Istanbul until his return to UNC in July 2013.
Altun has published over 35 peer-reviewed articles and authored more than 15 book chapters, as well as a textbook on liver MRI –
"Liver MRI with CT Correlation" – which is currently in press.
“I am pleased to be a member of UNC's Department of Radiology and Abdominal Imaging division. I believe that my experience here
will be a productive and rewarding one, as it has always been. I look forward to contributing to the continued success of the Department in
patient care, academic research and training.”
10
new faculty
The Department was pleased to appoint Dr. Meredith Northam in August 2014 as Clinical Assistant Professor in its Musculoskeletal
Imaging division. Northam returns to the Department after training as a Diagnostic Radiology resident at UNC (2009-2013), followed by a
one-year Musculoskeletal Imaging fellowship at University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. Prior to UNC, Northam spent her preliminary
training year (Transitional) at Trident Medical Center in Charleston, SC; medical school at Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC; and undergraduate at Boston University in Boston, MA. As faculty, Northam will serve on clinical duty at UNC Hospitals' main
campus, its off-campus Imaging and Spine Center, and also within the Department’s imaging outreach division.
As a resident, Northam served in leadership roles through her appointment -- UNC Health Care’s Executive House Staff Council
member – as well as through organizations such as the Radiological Society of North America -- RSNA Resident and Fellows Committee
-- tied to her professional radiologic interests. She also received RSNA’s Roentgen Resident/Fellow Research Award for her demonstration of
excellence in radiologic research as a resident. Though her initial months on faculty have permitted little time for a research focus, Northam's
scholarly interests include pursuing soft tissue- and bone tumor-focused studies, as well as research tied to sports medicine.
“I am happy and excited to be back in Chapel Hill, closer to home, family and friends. After spending a year of fellowship in Charlottesville, I hope to share a new perspective with the Musculoskeletal Imaging division here at UNC. I look forward to teaching and supporting our residents and the
residency program as a whole. I also hope to be involved with multi-disciplinary clinical research.”
The Department was pleased to appoint Dr. Casey Sams in August 2014 as Clinical Assistant Professor in its Pediatric Imaging division. Apart from a one-year
fellowship (2013-2014) in her respective subspecialty at Boston Children’s Hospital in Boston, MA, Sams' ties to UNC’s School of Medicine and UNC Hospitals span almost 10 years – medical school (2004-2008); preliminary year in Pediatrics (2008-2009); and Diagnostic Radiology residency
(2009-2013). In her new faculty appointment, Sams will provide Pediatric Imaging clinical coverage at UNC Hospitals.
Returning to UNC allows Sams to continue her leadership involvements within the Department. In her third and fourth training
years, Sams served out an extended, 20-month appointment as Chief Resident as one of only two chiefs appointed to this duration amidst
a departmental restructuring of this role. Now on faculty, Sams maintains her residency-focused interests through mentoring residents and
serving as a Diagnostic Radiology residency recruitment committee member.
“I am looking forward to integrating some of the new imaging approaches from fellowship into the Pediatric Imaging division
here at UNC. I will also be working in conjunction with the adult cardiology imagers and pediatric cardiologists to try and expand the usage of cardiac MRI for congenital heart disease at UNC.
While dropping down to only two full-time pediatric radiologists in the Department will make for some busy times in the upcoming months, the support I have received from the administration and my colleagues in the adult imaging divisions has served as a reminder
for why I was so happy to return to UNC.”
The Department was pleased to appoint Dr. Zhanhong Wu in August 2014 as Research Assistant Professor and Radiochemist, as linked directly to her new position within the Radiochemistry and Cyclotron Facility at UNC’s Biomedical Research Imaging Center (BRIC). Wu’s new role is integral to getting UNC’s new
radiochemistry program operational by early 2015 for patient imaging therapy using radiotracer-based agents. Wu and BRIC colleagues Drs. Zibo Li (radiochemist) and Eric Smith (radiopharmacist) have been working in recent months to establish a shielded radiochemistry lab and an FDA-compliant
cGMP (“current Good Manufacturing Practices”) laboratory by year’s end.
Before arriving at UNC, Wu obtained her PhD in Chemistry from University of Beijing Normal University in Beijing, China, in
2002. Immediately thereafter, she carried out her two-year, post-doctoral training in Nuclear Medicine at Peking Union Medical College
Hospital in Beijing. From 2004 to 2009, Wu served as Assistant Professor of Department of Nuclear Medicine at Peking Union Medical
College Hospital in Beijing, during which time she held a one-year Visiting Research Scientist appointment at Stanford University (20062007). She returned to the U.S. in 2009, working as Assistant Research Professor of Diabetes at Beckman Research Institute of City of
Hope, located in Duarte, CA, until relocating to Chapel Hill this year.
“The unique basic science and clinical imaging capacities the BRIC now has in one building give UNC a stand-alone advantage within the Triangle area. Beyond the research collaborations that can be made across our campus, we look forward with the new radiochemistry
facility to facilitating inter-institutional research within the Triangle, as well as exploring ways we can support biomedical research being
conducted at Research Triangle Park.”
The Department was pleased to appoint Dr. Eric Smith in August 2014 Director of Radiopharmacy and Quality Management, as linked directly to his Radiochemistry and Cyclotron Facility oversight at UNC’s Biomedical Research Imaging Center (BRIC). As the facility prepares for radiotracer production and synthesis of
radiopharmaceuticals in volume by early 2015, Smith’s new role is focused primarily on establishing standard operating procedures (SOPs)
for facility compliance with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations for radiopharmaceutical formulation. Smith is also drafting a
records-keeping system for master drug batches and developing proper quality control methods for testing drug quality.
Prior to joining UNC, Smith served as Pharmacy Manager and Clinical Nuclear Pharmacist for [drug development contract
research organization] Covance, Inc. for four years in Madison, WI. Apart from industry, his earlier-career academic appointments included:
1) PET Radiopharmacist and Clinical Pharmacist at the University of Utah; and 2) Clinical Nuclear Pharmacist at University of Michigan at
Ann Arbor. During his industry and academic years, Smith also held adjunct teaching appointments at University of Wisconsin’s School of
Pharmacy, University of Michigan’s College of Pharmacy and University of Utah’s College of Pharmacy.
“As a top academic medical center, UNC has an incredible advantage amongst other institutions, given their state-of-the art basic
science facilities and sizable hospital system are situated in such close proximity on campus. As our facility gets production off the ground,
I’ll be able to see how my work in radiopharmaceutical research directly benefits patients, case by case, when I collaborate with hospital
clinicians, just as I was able to do during my earlier years as a university radiopharmacist.”
11
new Residents
Michael Altenburg
Undergraduate: UNC - Chapel Hill
Medical School: UNC - Chapel Hill
Preliminary Year (Medicine): UNC - Chapel Hill
“When I started Diagnostic Radiology residency, I was already familiar with UNC’s outstanding research environment and
medical training, having completed [UNC's MD-PhD program]. My time during medical school around UNC Radiology’s
residents and faculty convinced me to stay in Chapel Hill. This place has a small town feel and is just a short trip to larger cities, as well as the mountains and the Outer Banks’ unique beaches.”
Beyond his busy resident’s life, Michael and his wife Jen oversee a big and busy household filled by their five children: Jack,
Emily, Ben, Luke and Reed. Family time outdoors is an Altenburg pastime, but Michael also independently enjoys mountain
biking, coastal fishing and applying his handiness to working on cars and go-karts with his kids, as well as various home
projects.
Andrew Barnes
Undergraduate: Wofford College (Spartanburg, SC)
Medical School: University of South Carolina School of Medicine
Preliminary Year (Medicine): Greenville Health System (Greenville, SC)
“When we visited Chapel Hill for my interview, my wife and I were both drawn to the area. I really enjoyed getting to
know the residents and faculty that I met on interview day, as well as at dinner the night before. We were also excited about
UNC because this program was the closest to our families.”
Outside of work, Andrew spends the majority of his time with family. He and wife Holly, owner of an at-home clothing/
jewelry-making business, stay busy raising their two daughters, two-year-old McKenna Ann and five-month-old Adelaide.
Apart from raising children, Andrew also invests spare time in reading (“particularly science fiction”), watching movies and
cooking.
Jozef Brozyna
Undergraduate: University of Richmond (Richmond, VA)
Medical School: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (Lewisburg, W.Va)
Preliminary Year (Medicine): Franklin Square Medical Center (Baltimore, MD)
“I knew I wanted to come to UNC because it has a reputation for great teaching, welcoming faculty and close-knit residents, all in a great location.”
Outdoors activities including skiing, playing tennis and hiking are the main draw in Jozef’s off hours. He and his girlfriend also enjoy playing with their Bernese Mountain Dog puppy.
Ryan Embertson
Undergraduate: University of Georgia (Athens, GA)
Medical School: University of Kentucky (Lexington, KY)
Preliminary Year (Transitional): Kettering Medical Center (Dayton, OH)
“Amongst the residency programs that interviewed me, I was really impressed with [Diagnostic Radiology Program Director] Dr. Bob Dixon, as well as the facilities at UNC. The residents seemed very happy as well, which I considered important, and I was also impressed with the reputation of the program.”
Beyond life at work, Ryan enjoys being outside and staying active, as well as playing tennis and rollerblading.
12
new residents
Jeremy Kim
Undergraduate & Medical School: University of Florida (Gainesville, FL)
Preliminary Year (Surgery): Stanford University (Palo Alto, CA)
“When I interviewed at UNC, I liked its Diagnostic Radiology program because of the overall clinical exposure I would get
as a resident. It seemed like the [case] volume was great, and the faculty seemed very clinically oriented, with education
being a primary focus. The residents all seemed very confident in their training, but also had the ability to have fun in the
workplace and beyond. I liked the set-up of [UNC Hospitals'] five hospitals being all under one roof and appreciated the
lifestyle that Chapel Hill and [North Carolina]’s Triangle area had to offer.”
Beginning residency together, Jeremy and his girlfriend, a 1st-year Department of Pediatrics resident at UNC, relocated to
Chapel Hill early summer. Beyond busy residency hours, Jeremy enjoys working out, golfing, trying new restaurants, and
rooting for his alma mater. Go Gators!
Parth Patel
Undergraduate: UNC - Chapel Hill
Medical School: University of South Carolina School of Medicine (Columbia, SC)
Preliminary Year (Transitional): St. Mary Mercy Hospital (Livonia, MI)
“I placed UNC's Radiology program high on my list because it was in close proximity to my hometown, Charlotte. I
also thought that residents got along well with each other.”
As an intern, Parth found time to hone his disc-golfing skills, and in Diagnostic Radiology residency, tennis and table
tennis also compete for his free time. Returning to home state North Carolina after spending his preliminary year in
Michigan, Parth also enjoys time with family and friends.
Tiffany Sills
Undergraduate: University of MD - Baltimore County (Baltimore, MD)
Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD): Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, TX)
Preliminary Year (Medicine): Carilion Clinic-Virginia Tech Carilion (Roanoke, VA)
“I had the opportunity to complete an away elective at [UNC Department of Radiology] and was really impressed by the
knowledge and work ethic of the residents in the [Diagnostic Radiology] program. I spent time in Body CT, Pediatric Radiology, and VIR and really enjoyed my interactions with the attendings and staff. I have strong family ties in the area, and a
great program in an optimal location were the perfect combination. Since arriving at UNC, my experiences have confirmed
and enhanced my high opinion of UNC and the residency program.”
In her off hours, Tiffany’s interests include spending time with Triangle-area family, as well as attending local events such as
concerts and festivals. She also involves herself in active pursuits such as traveling, non-competitive cycling, and sportswatching. Tiffany has declared herself ready to join other Tarheels at UNC sporting events!
Ami Vakharia
Undergraduate & Medical School: University of Miami (Coral Gables, FL)
Preliminary Year (Surgery): UNC - Chapel Hill
“UNC was my first choice because of its strong faculty and the Diagnostic Radiology program’s reputation of graduating
well-trained residents, as well as the institution’s location in relation to my personal interests.”
Ami joins her significant other, a 2nd-year Diagnostic Radiology resident at Duke, in learning the field. She otherwise
enjoys free time working out at the gym, learning to cook and spending time with friends and family.
13
new fellows
Michael Carroll – Breast Imaging
Medical School: Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (North Chicago, Ill.)
Preliminary Year (Transitional): Resurrection Medical Center (Chicago, Ill.)
Diagnostic Radiology Residency: University of Florida - Jacksonville
“I chose UNC’s Breast Imaging program for my fellowship year because of its strong teaching, the institution’s reputation,
and because the Chapel Hill area is a wonderful place to live.”
Away from work, Michael enjoys spending time with his wife and baby girl, as well as exploring places around North
Carolina. A lover of the outdoors, Michael counts the Blue Ridge Parkway and Outer Banks amongst the highlights that he
and family have enjoyed around the state.
Jonathan Pack – Breast Imaging
Medical School: Tufts University (Medford, MA)
Preliminary Year (Medicine): Caritas Carney Hospital (Dorchester, MA)
Diagnostic Radiology Residency: Tufts New England Medical Center (Boston, MA)
“I chose UNC because it offered professional growth through strong teaching faculty and patient diversity, as well as geography well-suited to family life after several years of New England winters.”
Jonathan and his family will potentially put down roots in North Carolina beyond his fellowship year. For now, he and his
wife, a clinical psychologist, have enjoyed the recent warmer months with their three children, who love swimming, riding
bikes, and going to the beach.
Adam Ryan – Musculoskeletal Imaging
Medical School: SUNY - Buffalo
Preliminary Year (Transitional): University at Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) (Pittsburgh, PA)
Diagnostic Radiology Residency: SUNY - Stony Brook
“I chose UNC for its teaching reputation, knowing that I would gain strong procedural experience as a fellow. I knew I
could learn from the volume of inpatient and outpatient cases, particularly the many orthopaedic oncology referrals.”
Beyond work, tennis, skiing and guitar are some activities Adam enjoys in the off hours.
Melissa Davis – Neuroradiology
Medical School: Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)
Preliminary Year (Surgery): Greenville Hospital System (Greenville, SC)
Diagnostic Radiology Residency: UNC - Chapel Hill
“As a resident, I had a great introduction to the field of neuroradiology. The fellows I worked with during my first year
inspired me to continue my interest in neuro-imaging. This was compounded by the great group of teachers, mentors, and
colleagues that I had the opportunity to work with and get to know over the past four years. I have also been able to publish
numerous papers and present at several conferences through the help of the Neuroradiology division and [Neuroradiology
Division Chief] Dr. Mauricio Castillo. I ultimately decided to stay here for those reasons and because I was, and am, sure that
I will get a quality education in neuro-imaging working with the faculty and staff here at UNC.”
When Melissa started residency at UNC in summer 2010, she had few personal ties in and much knowledge of [North Carolina’s] Triangle area. In more than four years’ time now, she’s met a “vast array of people from all walks of life,” counting
many of them as close relationships. During this time, Melissa has also become integrally involved with organizations meaningful to her interests and background, including the: 1) Wellesley College Alumnae Association’s Piedmont chapter (current
Programs Chair); 2) Triangle area’s Ivy+ alumnae group (current Representative); and 3) Raleigh Business Women's Professionals (2013 young careerist 2nd-place awardee). Melissa has also “stretched her artistic muscles” in recent years, uniquely
through participating in Raleigh-based group’s “PechaKucha” [creative project] presentation nights.
As a downtown Durham resident, Melissa most frequently enjoys downtown life at her favorite pizza spot, exploring the farmer’s market, or catching a
show at the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC). Once she completes her fellowship in June 2015, Melissa will become an administrative fellow at
Yale University’s Department of Diagnostic Radiology, where she will also begin working toward her MBA.
14
new fellows
Erin Hamilton – Neuroradiology
Medical School: Jefferson Medical College (Philadelphia, PA)
Preliminary Year (Transitional): West Virginia University (Morgantown, W.Va)
Diagnostic Radiology Residency: West Virginia University (Morgantown, W.Va)
“I chose UNC for fellowship training because the department has a strong reputation, and I had a great impression of the
faculty during my interview. The location also worked well for me because I am not too far from family during these 12
months.”
After Erin completed residency, her fiancé accompanied her to North Carolina. Beyond wedding planning in their off hours,
Erin and her fiancé enjoy exploring outdoor activities and new restaurants and breweries in the area, as well as spending
time with their Bernese Mountain Dog.
Kenny Rentas – Neuroradiology
Medical School: University of Puerto Rico (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
Preliminary Year & Diagnostic Radiology Residency (Integrated): University of Missouri at Kansas City
“I chose UNC for my fellowship because of its strong teaching faculty and institutional reputation. I’m learning a lot this
year because of the great variety and complexity of cases in my division.”
Apart from work, Kenny’s off-hours interests lean both outdoors and active, such as hiking and snowboarding, as well as
leisurely, including watching movies and cooking at home.
Prashant Shankar – Neuroradiology
Medical School: Emory University (Atlanta, GA)
Preliminary Year (Surgery): UNC - Chapel Hill
Diagnostic Radiology Residency: UNC - Chapel Hill
“I chose UNC Radiology both because its faculty are easy to relate to and there’s lots of diversity in its case volume. My
wife is still in fellowship at Duke, so staying in the area was a necessity, but we love living in the Chapel Hill-Durham area,
which made our choice an easy one.”
During his time in the Triangle, Prashant has enjoyed exploring downtown Durham’s trendy eateries and other locales.
Since early residency, Prashant has gotten involved in the local stand-up comedy scene and performed at multiple Trianglearea venues, to the extent of planning to start up his own once or twice-monthly show. Beyond his fellowship year, Prashant
will continue training at UNC as a 2015-2016 Vascular-Interventional Radiology fellow.
Niraj Bhalakia – Vascular-Interventional Radiology
Medical School & Preliminary Year (Medicine): George Washington University (Washington, DC)
Diagnostic Radiology Residency: Thomas Jefferson University (Philadelphia, PA)
“I chose UNC for fellowship because it has a strong reputation.”
In his off hours, Niraj enjoys watching sports, particularly teams in Chicago.”
15
snapshots
Serving the Community
James H. Scatliff Lecture
In October, members of the Department’s VascularInterventional Radiology division volunteered together
serving dinner at Urban Ministries of Durham. They
sustained the team effort afterwards with a bite out at
Bull City Burger & Brewery!
The Department’s 17th James H. Scatliff Lecture
was held on October 30th. This year’s Scatliff Lecturer was Dr. Jay Heiken, Professor of Radiology at
Washington University’s Mallinckrodt Institute of
Radiology.
Department of Radiology Strategic Planning Retreat
On November 1, 2014, the Department of Radiology held a strategic planning retreat at the Blue Zone within UNC’s Kenan
Stadium. The retreat was facilitated by external consultant Robert Kramer. Our entire faculty was present, along with UNC
Hospitals representatives, Diagnostic Radiology resident leaders, and members of our departmental business office. UNC
School of Medicine (SOM) Assistant Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Integration Bruce Wicks and SOM Vice Dean for
Finance and Administration Cam Enarson served as our Executive sponsors. Following introductory remarks by Department
Chairman Matt Mauro, Mr. Kramer reviewed the results of his survey, interviews and mini-retreat with senior departmental
faculty. The survey went out to all constituents of the department, including all SOM faculty, senior leadership and hospital
personnel. Separately, Mr. Kramer conducted interviews with senior UNC Health Care System leadership, clinical chairs and
divisions chiefs, as well as Department of Radiology faculty.
Retreat participants were spread amongst five breakout groups: Clinical, Faculty, Education, Research and Infrastructure.
Following two rounds of breakout sessions, group leaders presented a summary of their discussions to the entire retreat group.
Going forward, workgroups will be formed to fully develop the action items that will direct the department’s investments and
activities over the next three years.
16
faculty notes
Katherine Birchard, MD, presented, “Lung Cancer Screening” as
a Grand Rounds lecturer for the UNC Department of Radiology in
August 2014.
Valerie Jewells, DO, presented, “Head and Neck; Diagnosis and Imaging” to American Osteopathy College of Radiology (AOCR) residents as
a webinar invited lecturer in October 2014.
Katherine Birchard, MD, presented, "Beyond the Mammogram:
Imaging in Metastatic Breast Cancer" in conjunction with the
Metastatic Breast Cancer Network’s 8th National Conference, hosted
by UNC’s Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center in September
2014.
Lynn Fordham, MD, presented, “A Trip to the NICU: Renal and
GU” at the North Carolina Ultrasound Society Spring Symposium in
Cary, NC, in April 2014.
Lynn Fordham, MD, presented, “Torsion of the Testis: what is
the Role of Doppler and What are Concerning Flow Patterns?” at a
Society of Pediatric Radiology post-graduate course in Washington,
DC, in May 2014.
Sheryl Jordan, MD, was appointed to serve on the UNC School of
Medicine’s Student Promotions Committee in May 2014.
Sheryl Jordan, MD, was elected to the NC American College of Radiology Executive Board as Alternate Councilor in April 2014.
Amir Khandani, MD, presented, “PET Radiotracers other than FDG”
as a Grand Rounds lecturer for the UNC Department of Radiology in
August 2014.
Amir H. Khandani, MD, presented, “Hybrid PET/MR: Basic concepts
and clinical indications,” at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI)’s Annual Meeting in St. Louis, MO, in June
2014. (Authors: Khandani AH, Fielding JR, Sheikh A).
Wei Gao, PhD, presented, “Early Brain Development Study by
Combining Imaging Measures and Behavioral Assessment” as an
invited speaker at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of
Automation in Beijing, China, in August 2014.
Cherie Kuzmiak, DO, was appointed in July 2014 for three years as
the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)’s Refresher Course
Committee (RCC) Breast Imaging Track Chair.
Wei Gao, PhD, presented, “Functional Brain Development During
Infancy” as a invited speaker at the 1st International Conference on
Human Brain Development in Beijing, China, in August 2014.
Cherie Kuzmiak, DO, presented, “Breast Ultrasound: Improving Your
Skills and Patient Care” as invited program faculty at the 33rd Annual
Medical Ultrasound Symposium in Durham, NC, in April 2014.
Louise Henderson, PhD, was lead author of, “The Effect of the
Mammographic Technologist Workforce on Radiologists’ Interpretative Performance of Diagnostic Mammography” as presented at the
Academy Health Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA, in June 2014.
(Authors: Henderson LM, Benefield T, Bowling JM, Durham D,
Marsh MW, Schroeder BF, Yankaskas BC)
Yueh Lee, MD, PhD, presented, “Susceptibility weighted imaging of
melanoma and breast brain metastases: correlation with tumor volumes,
biological features, and patient outcome” at the American Roentgen
Ray Society (ARRS)' Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA, in May 2014.
(Authors: Franceschi AM, Glaubiger S, Snavely A, Lee C, Anders CK,
Castillo M, Moschos SJ, Lee YZ).
Laura Heyneman, MD, received in June 2014 the Charles A. Bream
Teaching Award, an annual honor determined by all Diagnostic
Radiology residents and given to a UNC Department of Radiology
faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in teaching.
Yueh Lee, MD, PhD, presented, “Whole body PET-MRI in patients
with NF I: Preliminary Observations of Image Quality and Artifacts” at
the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM)
in Milan, Italy, in May 2014. (Authors: Ramalho J, Gershon T, Greenwood R, Castillo M, Lee YZ).
Valerie Jewells, DO, presented, “Imaging in Ophthalmology” as a
mini-Grand Rounds guest lecturer at UNC’s Department of Ophthalmology in August 2014.
Valerie Jewells, DO, served as an electronic exhibits and selected
posters scorer for the American Society of Head & Neck Radiology
(ASHNR)’s 49th Annual Meeting in Seattle, WA, in September 2014.
Valerie Jewells, DO, presented, “Cervical and Thoracic Spine
Trauma” and “Lumbar Spine Trauma” as an invited lecturer at the
American Osteopathic College of Radiology (AOCR)’s mid-year
Diagnostic and Interventional Spine conference in Chicago, IL, in
October 2014.
Yueh Lee, MD, PhD, presented, “Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging
Microhemorrhages Do Not Represent Metastases in Patients with Primary Breast Cancer or Melanoma” at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the
American Society of Neuroradiology in Montreal, Canada in May 2014.
(Authors: Bazyar S, Ramalho J, Franceschi AM, Lee YZ)
Yueh Lee, MD, PhD, presented, “Microbeams and Radiotherapy” as an
invited speaker at the Radiation Research Society’s 60th Annual Meeting
in Las Vegas, NV, in September 2014.
Yueh Lee, MD, PhD, received UNC School of Medicine Translational
Team Science Award (TTSA) Phase II funding ($200,000) in October
2014 as Principal Investigator of a two-year study entitled, “Stationary
Chest Tomosynthesis for Imaging Young Patients with Cystic Fibrosis”
(Authors: Lee Y; Zhou O; Lu, J; Sams C; Fordham L, Birchard K,
Muhlebach M; Donaldson S; Goralski J; Boucher R).
Valerie Jewells, DO, presented, “Spine Pathology” to American
Osteopathy College of Radiology (AOCR) residents as a webinar
invited lecturer in October 2014.
17
faculty notes, con't
Marcia Koomen, MD, was elected to UNC’s School of Medicine Admissions Committee in June 2014.
Richard Semelka, MD, founded the "Body MRI Consortium,” an organization of 11 academic centers across the U.S. with a focus on collaborative body MRI research, in May 2014 and serves as Director
Richard Semelka, MD, received a one-year, $50,000 renewal in July
2014 as Principal Investigator of a Siemens-sponsored research project
entitled, “Novel methods for MRI PET for early detection of hepatic
cancer and for imaging predictors of tumor response.”
Richard Semelka, MD, presented, "Advances in Body Imaging with
Emphasis on MRI" at the Jalil Farah, M.D. Annual Radiology Conference
in Royal Oak, MI, in September 2014.
Arif Sheikh, MD, presented UNC’s Division of Hematology/Oncology
May 2014 Grand Rounds, entitled, “Evolving Concepts of Nuclear Pulmonary and Thromboembolic Imaging.”
Terry Wong, MD, PhD, presented, “Application of Targeted Imaging to Cancer Care” at the 13th Annual Molecular and Translational
Oncology Workshop, in Chicago, IL, in April 2014.
Terry Wong, MD, PhD, presented, “The Role of CT: Evaluation
of Gynecologic Tumors” at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and
Molecular Imaging (SNMMI)'s Annual Meeting in St. Louis, MO,
in June 2014.
Terry Wong, MD, PhD, served as co-moderator of the “GI Cancers” scientific session at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and
Molecular Imaging (SNMMI)'s Annual Meeting in St. Louis, MO,
in June 2014.
Terry Wong, MD, PhD, served as co-moderator of the “Oncology
I” scientific session at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI)'s Annual Meeting, St. Louis, MO, in June
2014.
Arif Sheikh, MD, was appointed in July 2014 as a core faculty member
for formation of an epilepsy fellowship program within UNC’s Department of Neurology.
Terry Wong, MD, PhD, presented, “Imaging for Alzheimer’s
Disease: Are We There Yet?” as the Charles Barry Burns Emerging
Technology Lecture invited speaker at the North Carolina Society of
Radiologic Technologists (NCSRT)'s Annual Conference in Clemmons, NC, in April 2014.
Arif Sheikh, MD, presented, “Translating ‘uNclear’ Medicine to Theranostics/Molecular Imaging” as an invited speaker at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)’s Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD, in August 2014.
Terry Wong, MD, PhD, presented, “Application of Targeted Imaging to Cancer Care” at the Molecular and Translational Oncology
Workshop in Chicago, IL, in April 2014.
David Warshauer, MD, was elected a Fellow of the Society of Abdominal Radiology in July 2014.
Terry Wong, MD, PhD, presented, “The Role of CT: Evaluation
of Gynecologic Tumors” at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and
Molecular Imaging (SNMMI)'s Annual Meeting in St. Louis, MO,
in June 2014.
Terry Wong, MD, PhD, was appointed to the NCI's National Clinical
Trials Network (NCTN) Gastrointestinal Steering Committee (GISC) as
a representative for the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group-American
College of Radiology Imaging Network (ECOG-ACRIN) Cancer Research Group in July 2014.
Terry Wong, MD, PhD, presented, “Imaging in the Era of Targeted
Therapy” as faculty mentor and speaker at the American Society
of Clinical Oncology/American Association for Cancer Research
(ASCO/ACCR) Methods in Clinical Cancer Research Workshop, in
Vail, CO, in July 2014.
UNC Department of Radiology on Facebook & In the News!
Search for “UNC Department of Radiology” to locate our page and be
sure to “like” us!
Look for the latest Department of Radiology headlines, highlights and
honors covered by UNC Healthcare's newsroom at:
http://news.unchealthcare.org/news/topics/radiology
18
Faculty publications
Liu B, Ramalho M, Al-Obaidy M, Busireddy KK, Altun E, Kalubowila J,
Semelka RC. Gastrointestinal imaging-practical magnetic resonance imaging approach. World J Radiol. 2014; 6(8): 544-566. URL: http://www.wjgnet.
com/1949-8470/full/v6/i8/544.htm DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4329/wjr.
v6.i8.544
VanderWalde NA, Salloum RG, Liu TL, Hornbrook MC, Rosetti MC, Ritzwoller DP, Fishman PA, Elston Lafata J, Khandani AH, Chera BS. Positron
Emission Tomography and Stage Migration for Head and Neck Cancer. JAMA
Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. 2014;140(7): 654-61.
Chong W, Dogra V, eds. Ultrasound Clinics. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier,
October 2014.
Zhang J, Lo JY, Kuzmiak CM, Ghate SV, Yoon SC, Mazurowski MA. Using
computer-extracted image features for modeling of error-making patterns in
detection of mammographic masses among radiology residents. Med Phys.
2014 Sep;41(9):091907. doi: 10.1118/1.4892173.
Kim KR, Thomas S. Complications of Image-Guided Thermal Ablation of
Chen Y, Zhu H, An H, Armao D, Shen D, Gilmore JH, Lin W. More insights Liver and Kidney Neoplasms. Semin Intervent Radiol 2014; 31:138-148.
into early brain development through statistical analysis of eigen-structural
elements of diffusion tensor imaging using multivariate adaptive regression
Grimm, LJ, Kuzmiak CM, Ghate SV, Yoon SC, Mazurowski MA. Mammogsplines. Brain Struct Funct. 2014; 219:551-569.
raphy difficulty and error making patterns in the context of resident training.
Acad Radiol. 2014 Jul;21(7):888-92. doi: 10.1016/j.acra.2014.01.025.
Armao D, Smith JK. The Health Risks of Ionizing Radiation from CT Examinations. N C Med J. 2014 Mar-Apr; 75(2):126-31.
Tucker AW, Calliste J, Gidcumb EM, Wu J, Kuzmiak CM, Hyun N, Zeng D,
Lu J, Zhou O, Lee YZ. Comparison of a Stationary Digital Breast TomosynArmao D, Smith JK. The Overuse of CT and the Onslaught of Incidental
thesis System to Magnified 2D Mammography Using Breast Tissue SpeciFindings. N C Med J. 2014 Mar-Apr; 75(2):127.
mens. Acad Radiol. 2014 Aug 27. pii: S1076-6332(14)00271-2. doi: 10.1016/j.
acra.2014.07.009. [Epub ahead of print]
Boyd B, Lee E. Ultrasound of the Gallbladder and Biliary Tree: Back to
Basics. In: Chong W, Dogra V, eds. Ultrasound Clinics. Philadelphia, PA:
Kuzmiak CM, Cole EB, Campbell AS. Dedicated 3D breast CT: a novel apElsevier, October 2014; 567-586.
proach to breast cancer detection. Health Management. 2014;14(3):47-8.
Chong W. Abdominal Ultrasound. In: Chong W, Dogra V, eds.
Ultrasound Clinics. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier, October 2014; xiii.
Davis M, Chong W. Doppler Ultrasound of the Liver, Portal Hypertension,
and Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts. In: Chong W, Dogra V,
eds. Ultrasound Clinics. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier, October 2014; 587-604.
Gao W, Alcauter S, Elton A, Hernandez-Castillo CR, Smith JK, Ramirez J,
Lin W. Functional Network Development during the First Year: Relative Sequence and Socioeconomic Correlations. Cerebral Cortex. 2014 May [Epub
ahead of print].
Tucker AW, Lee YZ, Kuzmiak CM, Calliste J, Lu J, and Zhou O. Increased
microcalcification visibility in lumpectomy specimens using a stationary digital breast tomosynthesis system. SPIE Medical Imaging. International Society
for Optics and Photonics, 2014.
Shan J, Tucker AW, Lee YZ, Heath MD, Wang X, Foos D, Lu J, Zhou O.
Evaluation of imaging geometry for stationary chest tomosynthesis. SPIE
Medical Imaging. International Society for Optics and Photonics, 2014.
Sossa DB, Bazyar S, Lee YZ, Castillo M. Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability
Gao W, Elton A, Zhu H., Alcauter S, Smith JK, Gilmore J, Lin W. Inter-sub- in Intracranial Tumors Assessed by Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced T1W MRI.
ject Variability of and Genetic Effects on the Brain’s Functional Connectivity Series of Cases. Rev. Colomb. Radiol. 2014; 25(2): 3955-60.
during Infancy. J. Neurosci. 34(34): 11288-11296; doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5072-13.2014.
Meng Y, Li G, Lin W, Gilmore JH, Shen D. Spatial distribution and longitudinal development of deep cortical sulcal landmarks in infants.
Elton A, Alcauter S, Gao W. Network Connectivity Abnormality Profile Sup- Neuroimage. 2014 Oct 15;100:206-18. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimports a Categorical-Dimensional Hybrid Model of ADHD. Hum Brain Mapp. age.2014.06.004. Epub 2014 Jun 17.
25 FEB 2014 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.22492.
Alcauter S, Lin W, Smith JK, Short S, Goldman B, Reznick JS, Gilmore J,
Onega T, Hubbard R, Hill D, Lee CI, Haas JS, Carlos HA, Alford-Teaster J,
Gao W. Development of Thalamocortical Connectivity during Infancy and Its
Bogart A, DeMartini WB, Kerlikowske K, Virnig BA, Buist DS,
Cognitive Correlations. J. Neurosci. 34(27):9067–9075, 2014.
Henderson L, Tosteson AN. Geographic Access to Breast Imaging for US
Women. J Am Coll Radiol. 2014 May 30.
Nissman DB, Dahiya N. Ultrasonography of Tendons. In: Ultrasound Clinics:
Small Parts and Superficial Structures. Dahiya N, Dogra V, eds. Philadelphia:
Delman D, Peng X, Zedek DC, Jewells V, Chahin N, Markovic-Plese S.
Elsevier. 2014; 9(3): 489-512.
Dermatomyositis as a presentation of neuromyelitis optica spectum disorder. J
Neurim. 2014.07.016 DOI:10.1016.
Ramalho M, Herédia V, de Campos RO, de Toni M, Dale BM, Semelka
RC. In-phase and out-of-phase single-shot magnetization-prepared gradient
Bompard L, Xu S, Styner M, Paniagua B, Ahn M, Yuan Y, Jewells V, Gao W, recalled echo: description and optimization of technique at 1.5T. Radiologia.
Shen D, Zhu H, Lin W. Multivariate Longitudinal Shape Analysis of Human 2014 Mar-Apr;56(2):136-47. doi: 10.1016/j.rx.2012.02.008. Epub 2012 Jun
Lateral Ventricles during the First Twenty-Four Months of Life. PLoS One.
17.
2014 Sep 29;9(9):e108306. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108306. eCollection
2014.
Srirattanapong S, Angthong W, Kim BS, Hayashi PH, Gerber DA, Woosley
JT, Peacock J, Ranatunga A, Semelka RC. Liver Adenomatosis: Serial InvesKhandani AH, Rathmell WK, Wallen EM, Ivanovic M. PET/CT with
tigation. Abdom Imaging. 2014 Apr;39(2):269-82. doi: 10.1007/s00261-013124I-cG250: Great Potential and Some Open Questions. Am J Roentgenol.
0056-y.
2014;203(2): 261-2.
19
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Department of Radiology
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Address Service Requested
faculty publications, con't.
Kim BS, Angthong W, Jeon YH, Semelka RC. Body Magnetic Resonance Imaging Fast, Efficient, and Comprehensive. Radiol Clin N Am 2014 Jul;52(4):62336. doi: 10.1016/j.rcl.2014.02.007. Epub 2014 Apr 4.
Angthong W, Semelka RC. Dealing with vascular conundrums with MR imaging. Radiol Clin North Am. 2014 Jul;52(4):861-82. doi: 10.1016/j.
rcl.2014.02.002. Epub 2014 Apr 2.
Suk HI, Lee SW, Shen D; Alzheimers Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. Subclass-based multi-task learning for Alzheimer's disease diagnosis. Front Aging
Neurosci. 2014 Aug 7;6:168. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2014.00168. eCollection 2014.
Zhu X, Suk HI, Shen D. A novel matrix-similarity based loss function for joint regression and classification in AD diagnosis. Neuroimage. 2014 Oct
15;100:91-105. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2014.05.078. Epub 2014 Jun 7.
Guo Y, Gao Y, Shao Y, Price T, Oto A, Shen D. Deformable segmentation of 3D MR prostate images via distributed discriminative dictionary and ensemble
learning. Med Phys. 2014 Jul;41(7):072303. doi: 10.1118/1.4884224
Zhang T, Chen H, Guo L, Li K, Li L, Zhang S, Shen D, Hu X, Liu T. Characterization of U-shape streamline fibers: Methods and applications. Med Image
Anal. 2014 Jul;18(5):795-807. doi: 10.1016/j.media.2014.04.005.
Li G, Wang L, Shi F, Lin W, Shen D. Simultaneous and consistent labeling of longitudinal dynamic developing cortical surfaces in infants. Med Image Anal.
2014 Dec;18(8):1274-89. doi: 10.1016/j.media.2014.06.007. Epub 2014 Jun 25.
Peng D, Shi F, Shen T, Peng Z, Zhang C, Liu X, Qiu , Liu J, Jiang K, Fang Y, Shen D. Altered brain network modules induce helplessness in major depressive
disorder. J Affect Disorders. 15;168:21-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2014.05.061. Epub 2014 Jul 1.functional magnetic resonance imaging study. PLoS One. 2014 Sep
16;9(9):e107306. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107306. eCollection 2014.
Sanroma G, Wu G, Gao Y, Shen D. Learning to rank atlases for multiple-atlas segmentation. IEEE Trans Med Imaging. 2014 Oct;33(10):1939-53. doi:
10.1109/TMI.2014.2327516. Epub 2014 May 30.
Wee CY, Zhao Z, Yap PT, Wu G, Shi F, Price T, Du Y, Xu J, Zhou Y, Shen D. Disrupted brain functional network in internet addiction disorder: a restingstate functional magnetic resonance imaging study. PLoS One. 2014 Sep 16;9(9):e107306. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107306. eCollection 2014.