Leadership
The depth of MIR’s leadership is evidenced in the magnitude of their strides. From creating “cancer goggles” for surgeons, to catapulting the field of PET imaging to new heights, our leaders are active contributors to the fields of radiological research, education and patient care.
Pamela K. Woodard, MD, is the director of MIR and the Elizabeth E. Mallinckrodt Professor of Radiology. Woodard has made tremendous strides in cardiovascular imaging research, including leading a landmark study that established a new standard of care for diagnosing blood clots in the lungs. Having served on the faculty for more than 25 years, she has led numerous research endeavors, from bolstering MIR’s facilities to training clinician-scientists.
Pamela K. Woodard, MD
Director, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology
As senior vice chair and division director of diagnostic imaging, Robert C. McKinstry, MD, PhD, leads our team of radiologists who use images to diagnose conditions and guide disease therapies. McKinstry, also the Orthwein Professor of Radiology and Pediatrics, helped developed a set of criteria to distinguish tumors from other bright spots in kids with a common genetic syndrome.
Robert C. McKinstry, MD, PhD
Senior Vice Chair and Division Director, Diagnostic Imaging
Robert J. Gropler, MD, senior vice chair and division director of radiological sciences, has advanced PET imaging on various fronts — from developing noninvasive imaging tools to distinguish vulnerable plaque, to establishing MIR’s PET Radiotracer Translation and Resource Center, a nationwide network of collaborations and U.S. innovation hub for the development of novel PET radiotracers.
Robert J. Gropler, MD
Senior Vice Chair and Division Director, Radiological Sciences
Farrokh Dehdashti, the inaugural Drs. Barry A. and Marilyn J. Siegel Professor of Radiology, serves as senior vice chair and division direction of nuclear medicine. A member of the MIR faculty for over 30 years, Dehdashti has expanded the role of PET imaging in oncology and conducted influential studies on several novel PET diagnostic compounds.
Farrokh Dehdashti, MD
Senior Vice Chair and Division Director, Nuclear Medicine
Vamsi R. Narra, MD, senior vice chair for informatics and new business development, has been instrumental in reimagining the reading room during COVID-19. He spearheaded the establishment of satellite reading rooms, including installing home workstations that enabled remote readouts for faculty reading critical studies.
Vamsi R. Narra, MD
Senior Vice Chair, Imaging Informatics and New Business Development
A renowned educator, Sanjeev Bhalla, MD, embodies MIR’s philosophy of teaching “at the elbow,” side-by-side with residents. Bhalla, an alumnus of MIR’s residency and fellowship program, is chief of cardiothoracic imaging and serves as MIR’s vice chair for education. He is a four-time recipient of RSNA’s Honored Educator Award and was named the 2021 ARRS Distinguished Educator.
Sanjeev Bhalla, MD
Vice Chair, Education
As vice chair for outreach, Monica Shokeen, PhD, works to build a culture of respect, belonging, empathy and excellence. In her efforts to foster a community that embraces and reflects a range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, Shokeen collaborates with various partners within the WashU and BJC HealthCare network.
Monica Shokeen, PhD
Vice Chair, Outreach
Michelle M. Miller-Thomas, MD, vice chair for faculty development, supports faculty members in their career journeys and academic achievements. She has been instrumental in developing radiology training in the Gateway Curriculum and received the 2020 Loeb Teaching Fellowship from the Academy of Educators.
Michelle M. Miller-Thomas, MD
Vice Chair, Faculty Development
As vice chair for quality and safety, Andrew J. Bierhals, MD, works to make MIR is the safest possible place for patients to receive imaging exams and undergo minimally invasive procedures. Bierhals has helped secure funding and manage a dedicated follow-up program to limit delay in diagnosis for patients with incidental imaging findings.
Andrew J. Bierhals, MD
Vice Chair, Quality and Safety; Community Radiology
Yuan-Chuan Tai, PhD, lends his expertise to the vast programming and support of MIR’s radiology research facilities. Having previously directed a cyclotron facility in Taiwan and as an NIH-funded investigator himself, he has unique insight into what empowers researchers to do their best work.
Yuan-Chuan Tai, PhD
Senior Vice Chair and Division Director, Radiology Research Facilities
Vincent M. Mellnick, MD — who has led the abdominal imaging section since 2015 — supports the clinical academic practice operations, including recruitment and retention, staffing and siting of services. He also has primary responsibility for leading the move to the Gary C. Werths Building at Siteman Cancer Center and the Plaza West Tower.
Vincent Mellnick, MD
Vice Chair, Academic Practice
An innovator in the field of musculoskeletal interventions, Jack Jennings, MD, ensures the quality and safety of common radiology procedural practice as performed within diagnostic radiology, developing workflows to make sure adequate equipment, personnel, prep and recovery space are available.
Jack Jennings, MD, PhD
Vice Chair, Procedural and Clinical Quality
