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, in front of a scanner.

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

Senior Vice Chair and Division Director, Nuclear Medicine Farrokh Dehdashti, MD, consults with a patient lying on a CT scanner table.

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

Dr. Sanjeev Bhalla at a computer with a cardiothoracic scan on screen and explaning it to several residents gathered around him
Monica Shokeen, PhD, associate professor of radiology, wears a lab coat and holds a pipette as she works in a lab.

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

Andrew Bierhals, MD, points to a chest x-ray on a computer screen in a reading room with another radiologist in the background.

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

Yuan-Chuan Tai, PhD, in his lab
Vincent Mellnick, MD, holds a dictation device and looks at a computer screen with imaging on it.

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

Musculoskeletal radiology section chief Jack Jennings, MD, PhD, looks at an off-screen monitor during a procedure.