Mellnick, Itani, McKinstry and Picus Take On New Leadership Roles at MIR
Four faculty members at WashU Medicine Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology (MIR) assume new senior leadership roles within the department.
Vincent M. Mellnick, MD, professor of radiology, was named senior vice chair and division director of academic practice. An MIR residency and fellowship alumnus, he has held key administrative roles, including co-director of emergency radiology and co-director of body CT. Following an international search in 2016, he was appointed chief of abdominal imaging.
As vice chair since 2024, Mellnick has strengthened clinical academic practice operations and led significant improvements in recruitment, staffing, retention and siting of services. Notably, he successfully directed the complex transitions to the newly constructed Gary C. Werths Building at Siteman Cancer Center and the Plaza West Tower.
Mellnick was named a fellow of the American Society of Emergency Radiology in 2025, recognized with a WashU Medicine Dean’s Impact Award in 2024 and received an RSNA Lifetime Honored Educator Award in 2023.
Malak Itani, MD, associate professor of radiology, was appointed chief of the abdominal imaging section. A highly respected leader, mentor and clinician, she is recognized for her expertise in ultrasound and has served as director of the ultrasound service since 2019. Since joining the faculty in 2018, Itani has overseen the expansion of ultrasound services to South County, strengthened collaboration with West County services and increased access to contrast-enhanced ultrasound. She also helped establish an ultrasound service at Casa de Salud, where she continues to volunteer.
Under the mentorship of Mellnick, Itani gradually assumed greater leadership responsibilities after being named associate chief of abdominal radiology in January 2025, preparing her for this role.
An accomplished educator, Itani co-directed the abdominal radiology clinical immersion rotation for junior WashU medical students from 2021 to 2025. Her contributions to education have earned multiple RSNA awards. She was named a fellow of the Society of Abdominal Radiology in 2024 and received a Dean’s Impact Award in 2025.
Robert C. McKinstry, MD, PhD, the William R. Orthwein Jr. and Laura Rand Orthwein Professor of Radiology and Pediatrics, transitions to the role of senior vice chair for special projects. Over the past nine years, McKinstry has provided exceptional leadership as senior vice chair and division director of diagnostic imaging. His many contributions to the department include serving as director of the Center for Clinical Imaging Research, senior vice chair and division director of radiology research facilities and section chief of pediatric radiology.
In his new role, McKinstry remains an active full-time member of the neuroradiology and pediatric radiology sections while continuing to contribute to departmental leadership.
Daniel D. Picus, MD, professor of radiology, assumes the role of advisor to the chair after serving as senior vice chair for special projects since 2017. Throughout his tenure, Picus provided invaluable leadership to the department, particularly in coding and billing, and most recently by stepping in as interim section chief of interventional radiology in 2025.
In his new role, Picus remains a member of the interventional radiology faculty and continues to share his insight and expertise with departmental leadership.
