RLI Taking the Lead Podcast

Taking the Lead 73: Ann S. Fulcher, MD | The Dash Between: Service, Leadership, and a Life in Radiology

From her Mayberry‑like childhood in rural Virginia to pioneering MRCP and leading one of the nation’s largest academic radiology departments, Ann S. Fulcher, MD, Chair of Radiology at Virginia Commonwealth University, has built a career defined by service, integrity, and curiosity.

In this episode, she sits down with host Geoffrey Rubin, MD, MBA, FACR, for a warm and deeply personal conversation tracing her journey from the influence of a WWII veteran father who taught her the value of duty and compassion, to the mentors who guided her toward abdominal imaging, to the unexpected leadership opportunities that emerged during her military service at Andrews Air Force Base.

Dr. Fulcher reflects on becoming a department chair earlier than she ever imagined, the lessons she carried from the Air Force into academic medicine, and the evolving challenges facing radiology’s leaders today.

She shares candid insights about building a cohesive culture across expanding clinical sites, sustaining research and education amid workforce pressures, and the responsibility leaders hold to champion quality and care in an increasingly productivity‑driven environment.

Beyond radiology, Dr. Fulcher discusses the life‑changing role photography has played in her well‑being - awakening creativity, restoring balance, and even uplifting colleagues and patients during challenging times. Her reflections on mentorship, purpose, and “what you do with your dash” offer a moving reminder of the impact a single career can have.

Engaging, humble, and full of heart, this conversation explores what it means to lead with clarity, compassion, and authenticity while never losing sight of the joy in the work itself.

Production support for this episode of this RLI “Taking the Lead” podcast has been provided by the Virginia Radiological Society, a statewide professional organization dedicated to improving the health of patients and society by making imaging safe, effective and accessible to those who need it. Visit www.varadsoc.org for more information.

Taking the Lead 72: John D. Halamka, MD, MS | All Will Be Well: Leading Through Curiosity and Change

Before leading Mayo Clinic’s digital transformation, John D. Halamka, MD, MA was a teenage engineer scavenging defense-contractor dumpsters for computer parts and a Stanford student who helped prototype early multimedia networks long before the internet entered everyday life.

In this episode, he sits down with host Geoffrey Rubin, MD, MBA, FACR to trace his remarkable journey across emergency medicine, Silicon Valley entrepreneurship, and national health IT policy.

Along the way, he built one of the first web-based electronic health records, helped shape interoperability standards that enable modern data exchange, and pioneered federated analytics (empowering global health systems to collaborate on AI development while keeping patient data local and protected ) and digital care models now being adopted around the globe. Dr. Halamka reflects on the mentors, risks, and resilience that propelled his career, and shares how adaptability, curiosity, and a simple mantra – “All will be well” - continue to guide his leadership philosophy in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

Behind the Mic:

Dr. John Halamka is an alpinist (a mountain climber who specializes in difficult and challenging ascents, often involving mixed terrain), rock and ice climber. He and his wife also share a deep love for animals and run Unity Farm Sanctuary (unityfarmsanctuary.org) which provides lifetime care for farm animals in need. Located in Sherborn, Massachusetts, Unity Farm Sanctuary is currently home to 400 large animals including gentle giant Dudley the Scottish Highland Bull, affectionate Marky Goat, shy Gypsy Minihorse, and social butterflies Turnip Turkey and Blackbeard Rooster.

Taking the Lead 71: Christine B. Chung, MD: Walking Among Giants: Leadership, Mentorship and Innovation

In this special episode honoring the legacy of William G. Bradley Jr., MD, PhD, FACR, sponsored by the California Radiological Society Foundation, host Geoffrey Rubin, MD, MBA, FACR, sits down with Christine B. Chung, MD, Chair of the Department of Radiology at UC San Diego and President-Elect of the International Skeletal Society, for a rich and inspiring conversation on leadership, mentorship, and innovation in academic medicine.

 

From her upbringing in a small town in Wisconsin to leading one of the nation’s most innovative radiology departments, Dr. Chung reflects on the early encouragement from her grandmother that set her on the path to medicine. With warmth and clarity, she shares the pivotal role of mentors such as Donald Resnick, MD, FACR, and Bill Bradley Jr., MD, PhD, FACR, and her philosophy of intentional, personalized mentorship.

 

In this wide-ranging discussion, Dr. Chung offers candid insights on the challenges of building a research career, the importance of creating space for creativity and inclusion in academic environments, and the value of professional networks. She also speaks to the impact of career planning and the ongoing process of reinvention throughout her career.

 

Along the way, she offers powerful advice for radiologists at every career stage: find your passion, build your community, and embrace opportunities to grow - both professionally and personally. No matter where you are in your career, this episode offers a thoughtful exploration of resilience, reinvention, and the enduring value of community in academic medicine.

 

Behind the Mic!

Dr. Christine Chung married in 2023 and has two fantastic girls from her first marriage and two fur babies (dogs). Her daughters are 20 and 16 years old and her fur babies are 2.5 years and 11 months old!

 

Dr. Chung loves traveling with her family. Together, they’ve been to six continents. Throughout all her travels, her top three favorites are: the safari which was amazing to be the ‘visitor’ for the animals in their own habitat; Israel with the amazing religious history; and Athens seeing the acropolis/sophistication of ancient civilization.

 

In college, Dr. Chung ended up with a French major due to all of the French classes she took as a fun departure from science throughout her undergrad career.

 

Taking the Lead 70: Mitchell D. Schnall, MD, PhD, FACR: Reimagining How We Practice Medicine in a Tech-Empowered World

Join host Geoffrey Rubin, MD, MBA, FACR, for a candid and wide-ranging conversation with Mitchell D. Schnall, MD, PhD, FACR—Professor of Radiology and Senior Vice President for Data and Technology Solutions at Penn Medicine.

A highly accomplished radiology researcher and leader, Dr. Schnall served for 12 years as Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Radiology at the University of Pennsylvania, followed by another 12 years as Chair. His national leadership includes serving as Chair of ACRIN and the ACR Commission on Research, as well as President of the Academy for Radiology and Biomedical Imaging Research. His research contributions have earned him election to the American Society for Clinical Investigation, the Association of American Physicians, and the National Academy of Medicine.

In this episode, Dr. Schnall reflects on his journey—from a curious kid with a ham radio license and an Ivy League gymnast to a nationally recognized leader in academic radiology. He shares how his background in physics and engineering shaped his hands-on approach to problem-solving, innovation, and leadership—including his early work developing MRI coils and his unexpected path into breast imaging research.

Dr. Schnall also discusses lessons from his time leading Penn Radiology, his philosophy on team building and faculty development, and why embracing discomfort, trusting others, and taking smart risks are essential traits for effective leadership.

With humility, clarity, and a touch of humor, Dr. Schnall offers valuable insights into the realities of leading in academic medicine, the importance of intellectual generosity, and the power of staying curious throughout one’s career. Don’t miss this thoughtful conversation with a leader who continues to shape the future of radiology—while never losing sight of the joy in figuring things out.

Behind the Mic!
Dr. Schnall and his wife have been married for 37 years. Together, they have a 32-year-old daughter, a 29-year-old son, and an 11-month-old granddaughter! When he’s not working, Dr. Schnall loves to take things apart and put them back together. He is a serious “DIYer”, having renovated his own kitchen and multiple bathrooms at his home. He also enjoys riding his bicycle and eating spicey hot peppers!

Taking the Lead 69: Mary H. Scanlon, MD, FACR: Persistence, Purpose, and Preparing the Next Generation

Join host Geoffrey Rubin, MD, MBA, FACR, for an engaging conversation with Mary H. Scanlon, MD, FACR, Professor of Clinical Radiology, Vice Chair of Education, and Director of Emergency Radiology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. A long-time residency program director and past president of the Association of Program Directors in Radiology (APDR), Dr. Scanlon reflects on her inspiring journey—from growing up around horses and a veterinary clinics on the Philadelphia Main Line to becoming a fierce advocate for resident well-being and educational innovation.

In this episode, Dr. Scanlon opens up about managing dyslexia, overcoming challenges as one of the few women in her residency class, pioneering MRI interpretation at Albert Einstein Medical Center, and her eventual transition to leadership roles at the VA and Penn.

A candid and compelling storyteller, she shares how she supports residents through life’s most difficult moments, how she's preparing the next generation for the era of AI, and how even something as simple as asking about dentist appointments has become part of her whole-person approach to residency leadership

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation with a leader who’s as fiercely committed to patient care and education as she is to authenticity and resilience.

Behind the mic: When choosing her career path, Dr. Scanlon was considering either a chief or doctor, and she chose doctor because she thought the hours would be better. She’s not sure that panned out well!

Outside of work, Dr. Scanlon loves Este a Greek restaurant, which serves her favorite grill fish and langoustines. She has a fabulous disabled dog, Auggie the Doggie, who has congenital cerebellar ataxia. He doesn’t walk, he rolls from place to place and needs to be carried! She loves his great spirit—he falls down and gets right back up!

Dr. Scanlon loves to boat on the Chesapeake or Penns Landing when the weather is nice. On rainy days, she likes to make a fire and binge watch Oscar movies. Still to do on her bucket list is to sail around the Greek Islands.

Taking the Lead 68: Robert L. Mittl Jr., MD, FACR: Leading Through Change

In this episode of Taking the Lead, host Geoffrey Rubin, MD, MBA, FACR, sits down with Robert L. Mittl Jr., MD, FACR, a neuroradiologist at Charlotte Radiology in Charlotte, NC, Chief Quality Officer at US Radiology Specialists, Chair of the US Radiology National Physician Leadership Board, and member of the US Radiology Corporate Board.

After graduating from Washington University Medical School in St Louis, he completed an internal medicine residency at Barnes Hospital (Wash U). As a medicine resident in the 1980s he saw the impact of emerging imaging technology on diagnosis and patient care and decided to switch specialties and completed a Diagnostic Radiology residency and Neuroradiology fellowship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Mittl joined Charlotte Radiology (CR) in Charlotte, NC in 1993, serving as Chair of Charlotte Radiology’s Physician Operations Committee for 13 years and then President of the group for 10 years. In 2018 he led Charlotte Radiology in founding US Radiology Specialists with Welsh Carson. During his impressive career, Dr. Mittl has played a pivotal role in practice transformation, operational efficiency, and leadership development in private practice radiology and shares his journey from early career uncertainty to leading a large, subspecialized radiology group through technological advancements, organizational growth, and finding the balance between clinical excellence and non-clinical contributions. 

From implementing PACS and optimizing workflow to navigating private equity partnerships and practice consolidation, his insights offer valuable lessons for radiologists at all career stages.

Taking the Lead 67: Alan Matsumoto, MD: A Servant Leader

Join host Geoffrey Rubin, MD, MBA, FACR, as he talks with Alan H. Matsumoto, MD, MA, FACR, FSIR, FAHA. A distinguished interventional radiologist, Dr. Matsumoto is the former Chair of the Department of Radiology at the University of Virginia and currently serves as Chair of the American College of Radiology (ACR) Board of Chancellors. A prolific scholar, he has authored over 300 publications and delivered more than 500 invited presentations. Additionally, Dr. Matsumoto has served as President of the Society of Interventional Radiology and the Virginia Radiological Society.

Dr. Matsumoto’s inspiring journey begins with a personal history rooted in resilience—his parents’ families spent time in internment camps during World War II, a fact he only learned about much later in life. Born in Salt Lake City, he moved with his family to Stockton, California, at the age of 5 ½, where dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player. A self-proclaimed rabble-rouser, he credits his high school years for teaching him the value of building relationships with diverse groups of people (hint, this involves ice cream!), a skill that he has been carried forward into his academic and professional career

After attending medical school at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University, he completed an Internal Medicine residency at the University of Massachusetts before transitioning to radiology, completing his Diagnostic Radiology residency at the University of North Carolina. Following Fellowship training in Vascular and Interventional Radiology at Georgetown University, Dr. Matsumoto and his wife, also a radiologist, spent two years in private practice in Florida before settling in Charlottesville at the University of Virginia in 1991 – and he has never looked back.

Throughout his leadership journey at UVA, Dr. Matsumoto has emphasized the importance of emotional intelligence, change management, and servant leadership and reflects that his most rewarding moments as a leader come from bringing people together to accomplish shared goals. His story is a testament to the power of perseverance, collaboration, and leadership grounded in humility and a desire for clinical excellence.

Don’t miss this special episode of Taking the Lead.

Taking the Lead 66: Matt P. Lungren, MD, MPH: Innovating Healthcare with AI

Join host Geoffrey Rubin, MD, MBA, FACR, as he engages in an inspiring conversation with Matthew P. Lungren, MD, MPH, Chief Data Science Officer for Microsoft Health & Life Sciences. Dr. Lungren, an academic pediatric interventional radiologist with a strong interest in global healthcare, literature, and competitive swimming, discusses his transition from medicine to focusing on AI in healthcare.

As the co-founder of the Stanford Center for AI in Medicine and Imaging, Dr. Lungren played a key role in establishing the center as a prime driver of innovation in the development and assessment of artificial intelligence and medical imaging in healthcare.

Dr. Lungren grew up in Arizona, obtained his undergraduate degree in English and Biology from Arizona State University, and went on to earn his MPH from the University of North Carolina and his medical degree from the University of Michigan. He completed fellowships at both Cincinnati’s Children’s Hospital and Duke University.

His defining moment came when he volunteered in Albania during a humanitarian crisis, which motivated him to pursue a career in medicine and become involved in global health initiatives and research, ultimately specializing in radiology.

A talented and passionate educator, he has catalyzed the education of countless physicians, scientists, and laypeople, including being the top-rated instructor in the wildly successful Coursera course, Fundamentals in AI in Healthcare, completed by 25,000 students to date.

Don’t miss this special episode to learn more about Dr. Lungren’s unique career journey and his definition of a perfect Saturday afternoon—hint: it would include the latest issue of Harper’s Magazine, an Xbox, and a trip to the pool.

Taking the Lead 65: Denise R. Aberle, MD: Leading Lung Screening Research

In this first annual William G. Bradley Memorial RLI Taking the Lead episode, sponsored by the California Radiological Society Foundation, host Geoffrey Rubin, MD, MBA, FACR, talks with Denise R. Aberle, MD, Professor of Radiological Sciences at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and Professor of Bioengineering in the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering. 

 

Production support for this first annual William G. Bradley Memorial episode of this RLI “Taking the Lead” podcast has been provided by the California Radiological Society Foundation, committed to advancing the future of radiology in California.  Tax deductible contributions to the Foundation can be made at  

 

Taking the Lead Episode 64: Michael P. Recht, MD: Imaging Innovator

Join host Geoffrey Rubin, MD, MBA, FACR, as he sits down with Dr. Michael P. Recht, MD, the Louis Marx Professor and Chair of the Department of Radiology at NYU Langone Health and current president of SCARD, the Society for Chairs of Academic Radiology Departments.  A visionary leader in academic radiology, Dr. Recht shares insights on balancing clinical productivity and academic research, emphasizing the importance of valuing both equally. He discusses the transformative shift towards remote radiology, highlighting how it has enhanced work-life balance and expanded the reach of radiological services across diverse geographical areas.