University of Utah Health Names Interim Chair of Radiology

Strategic Insights -

Charles (Chuck) Ray, MD, PhD, a nationally recognized leader in academic radiology, has been appointed as the Interim Chair of the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences at the University of Utah's Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, effective September 8. Ray succeeds Satoshi Minoshima, MD, PhD, who led the department for over a decade. Ray will continue in his clinical role in interventional radiology and as Editor for the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology.

Under Minoshima's leadership, the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences achieved national and international recognition for academic radiology excellence. Faculty size more than doubled, with members receiving national awards and assuming leadership roles in professional societies. Notably, the department's pioneering IMAGER model has delivered substantial value to the health system, with a CAGR above 14% over the past decade. This success was driven by the expansion of advanced imaging resources, new sections and leadership roles, teleradiology integration, and the establishment of the "Reading Room of the Future" and interventional suites at the U's Clinical Neurosciences Center and Huntsman Cancer Institute.

Key Takeaways:

  • Charles (Chuck) Ray, MD, PhD, has been named Interim Chair of the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences at the University of Utah's Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, effective September 8.
  • Ray brings a strong leadership background, having served as Chair of Radiology at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago and holding senior leadership roles at the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System.
  • Under Satoshi Minoshima's leadership, the department achieved national and international recognition for academic radiology excellence, with faculty size more than doubling and a CAGR above 14% over the past decade.
  • The department has been a model of success in brain imaging, theranostics, and interventional radiology, and has established the "Reading Room of the Future" and interventional suites at the U's Clinical Neurosciences Center and Huntsman Cancer Institute.
  • Ray will continue in his clinical role in interventional radiology and as Editor for the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology.
  • The department is home to several top-funded investigators, maintains advanced infrastructure, and leads focused ultrasound, CT, cardiac, and vascular imaging, and neuroscience research and education initiatives.

Statistics:

  • A CAGR above 14% has been sustained by the department's pioneering IMAGER model over the past decade.
  • Faculty size in the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences at the University of Utah Health more than doubled under Minoshima's leadership.
  • The department ranked No. 7 in NIH funding among public university radiology departments in 2019.
  • The department has established four research MRI scanners and is home to several of the nation's top-funded investigators.

Sources:

  • University of Utah Health news release
  • Satoshi Minoshima's leadership and achievements at the University of Utah Health
  • Charles (Chuck) Ray's background and leadership roles
  • Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences at the University of Utah Health's achievements and initiatives
  • University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago's senior leadership roles and initiatives