The Business and Innovation of Radiology (BAIR) track is a unique pathway that aims to empower enrolled residents to become thought-leaders and innovators who are positioned to transform radiology practice.
This track provides structured opportunities for residents to establish a solid foundation in four core areas of our field and healthcare system:
- Practice Transformation
- Healthcare Economics
- Business of Radiology
- Health Policy
Our BAIR track is a longitudinal program designed to be completed throughout the four years of radiology residency under the guidance of mentors at the executive level in our department. The track consists of monthly seminars, experiential learning sessions, and a mentored capstone project.
| R1 |
R2 |
R3 |
R4 |
| HTBAR Lectures |
|
Healthcare Operations |
|
| Economics Lectures |
Economics Lectures |
Economics Lectures |
RLI Summit and ACR Fellowship |
| Online modules/readings(1 week elective) |
Departmental Meetings
_________________
Small Group Lunch Sessions (8-10 sessions)
|
Departmental Meetings
_________________
Small Group Lunch Sessions (8-10 sessions)
|
Departmental Meetings
_________________
Small Group Lunch Sessions (8-10 sessions)
|
| |
|
Capstone project (1-week elective) |
Capstone project (2-week elective) |
Monthly seminars have included a world-class group of invited speakers such as our department’s Chief Administrative Officer, faculty innovators, radiologist and imaging entrepreneurs with successful multi-million dollar company acquisitions, healthcare venture capitalists, internationally renowned radiology department chairmen, Wharton business school professors, and the university’s Chief Innovation Officer.
Funding for a healthcare operations class taught by a Wharton business school professor is incorporated into the didactic component. Experiential learning includes small group sessions on business and healthcare innovation topics relevant to the field of radiology. Residents also have many opportunities to network and gain practical experience in business operations by participating in departmental and hospital-wide committee meetings.
Another integral component of the track is using dedicated elective time to complete a mentored capstone project. This capstone project offers residents an opportunity to work with current radiology leaders to design and implement innovative solutions to challenges encountered in the field.
BAIR Track Members
Current
Amber Simons, MD
Class of 2027 - R2 (PGY3)
Radiology puts us in such a unique position as physicians. As I've navigated the inner workings of health policy and community partnerships, I've learned that combining innovation and entrepreneurship gives us the flexibility to balance practicality, cost, and collaboration in a constantly changing environment. The BAIR track will help me develop a deeper understanding of the radiology enterprise and inform how I can transform radiology practice in the future.
Capstone Project: TBD
Sriharsha Voleti, MD
Class of 2027 - R2 (PGY3)
As radiology faces growing challenges such as changing reimbursement structures, technological advancement, and labor market shifts, I realize the importance of being able to navigate the evolving radiology landscape. I joined the BAIR track to help me understand the non-interpretive aspects of the field while allowing me to practice the dynamic process of transforming ideas into actionable solutions, ultimately helping me become a stronger radiologist leader.
Capstone Project: TBD
About:
- Resident representative for Radiology Extender Oversight Committee
- Resident representative for the AI Steering Committee
- Previous delegate to the American Medical Association and Ohio State Medical Association for Northeast Ohio Medical University
Srinidhi Shanmugasundaram, MD
Class of 2028 - R2 (PGY2)
With my interests in interventional radiology, I look forward to gaining deeper insight into medical device development and clinical practice-building through the BAIR track. Understanding the financial aspects of healthcare and innovation is crucial for improving patient access to minimally invasive care and bringing ideas from the bench to the market.
Capstone Project: TBD
About:
- Resident representative for Radiology Extender Oversight Committee
- Resident representative for the AI Steering Committee
- Previous delegate to the American Medical Association and Ohio State Medical Association for Northeast Ohio Medical University
Vedant Acharya, MD
Class of 2026 - R3 (PGY4)
There are several factors, such as AI, teleradiology or value-based care that will have a transformative effect on radiology over the next 30 years. I joined the BAIR track to understand the entire imaging workflow, including the non-clinical aspects (operational, financial, strategic and technological) which will be critical for radiologists’ leadership in the ever-changing clinical imaging enterprise.
Capstone Project: TBD
About:
- BSBA in Finance at the University of Miami
- Former Executive Director of the Department of Community Service (DOCS) at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (2018-2019)
Vineeth Gangaram, MD
Class of 2026 - R3 (PGY4)
Coming into medicine with a software development background, I've noticed numerous chances to improve medical care using technology. However, over time, I've realized that identifying pain-points and creating technological solutions aren’t enough. The unique payment and incentive structures in healthcare often limit the growth of projects beneficial to patients and providers. Without aligning the system's incentives, many promising initiatives fail to maximize their impact. The BAIR track offers a chance for me to understand the factors driving the healthcare industry, equipping me to design scalable solutions that align incentives and can go beyond one-off projects.
Capstone Project: TBD
About:
- Prior Software Engineer at Verily (Google Life Sciences)
- Lead software developer for Columbia’s first ResearchKit App CovidWatcher
- Worked on Penn Radiology Residency’s automated call scheduling tool
Kari Williams, MD MBA
Class of 2026 - R3 (PGY4)
I have been interested in the business of medicine since the beginning of medical school; it’s one of the main reasons why I decided to obtain an MBA while in medical school. I am very interested in expanding access to care and modern radiological services—decreasing time to imaging/biopsy, artificial intelligence, improved screening services etc. Now is the perfect time for medicine to nurture and empower its physician entrepreneurs. I know BAIR will provide me with the tools I need to develop as a businessperson while ensuring patient safety remains paramount.
Capstone Project: TBD
About:
- Completed her MD at the University of Texas – Medical Branch (2021) and Master of Business Administration – University of Houston – Clear Lake (2020) dual degree.
Jaclyn Lundberg, MD
Class of 2025 - R4 (PGY5)
I’ve always been so intrigued by the business aspects of medicine. I really believe that we can use business to powerfully impact the healthcare system and change fundamental healthcare inequalities in medicine today. I want to create a way to provide easier access to radiological services. Business can change things on a much larger scale than anything we can do on an individual level. This is something I believe in wholeheartedly, and I’m excited that BAIR will empower me to execute my ideas.
Capstone Project: TBD
About:
- Curriculum Director for “Empowerment of Women in Medicine” at Mivvy, web-based application
- Director of Biomedical Project Development and Innovation, Creighton Biomedical Engineering Group
- Social Media Committee & Content Design for Penn Radiology
Benjamin Steyer, MD, PhD
Class of 2025 - R4 (PGY5)
Improving our health systems requires a deep understanding of how incentives drive care delivery and health care innovation. I chose to join the BAIR track because it provides direct access to local and national leaders and enables residents to develop a direct understanding of how reimbursement policy influences decisions made in our department and Penn Medicine as a whole.
Capstone Project: TBD
About:
- Co-Leader of RadCare 2022-2023
- Completed MD/PhD at University of Wisconsin-Madison (2020)
- Named inventor on non-viral nucleic acid delivery material patent
Shawn Ma, MD
Class of 2025 - IR5 (PGY6)
While I value serving patients in diagnostic and interventional radiology, I also hope to impact patients beyond those whose imaging I read or procedures I perform. The track’s networking, seminars and hands-on learning will help translate and hone my interests in business and technology into tangible skills and projects.
Capstone Project: TBD
About:
- Certificate in Healthcare Management, Entrepreneurship, and Technology from Perelman School of Medicine (2019)
- Penn HealthX - VP Finance (2016), Co-President (2018)
- Wharton-Clover Health consulting project - Co-Lead (2019)
Penn Radiology BAIR Track - Alumni
Jing Wang, MD
Class of 2024 - R4 (PGY5)
The BAIR track was a perfect combination of my medical training with my former economics and business background. It has been a wonderful opportunity to receive direct mentorship with some of the top leaders at Penn, and see how they approach the complexity and nuance of practice management at such an esteemed organization.
Capstone Project: TBD
About:
- Completed honors thesis in economics focused on the effect of ACA Medicaid expansion on healthcare utilization
- Managed a 2-million dollar radio station
Marla Perez, MD
Class of 2023. Current Interventional Radiology Resident at Massachusetts General Hospital
I chose BAIR to learn more about the ins and outs of the business of radiology, and having the opportunity to interact with administrative members of our hospital system and the medical business community provides unique exposure during residency training. Moreover, learning more about device concept development and production is an invaluable experience.
Capstone Project: TBD
About:
- Co-Leader of ED Readiness Committee
- Contributor to the Penn Radiology Residency Social Media Committee
- Completed Medical Device course at Wharton
Graham Trent, MD
Class of 2023. Current Breast/Body Imaging Fellow at NYP Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical Center
The BAIR track provides research, networking, and educational opportunities to create a more efficient medical system and streamlined work environment, which ultimately leads to better patient care.
Capstone Project: Improving Radiology Report Quality through Enhanced Clinical Information Gathering
About:
- 2019 - 2020 Radiology Medical Student Resident Teaching Award Winner
- Completed Wharton Online course Business of Healthcare Specialization
- 2022 - 2023 Informatics Fellow - research focus imaging center demand forecasting
- Resident representative for radiology extender oversight committee
Greg Mittl, MD, MBA
Class of 2022. Graduated Penn Neuroradiology Fellowship 2023 (Chief Fellow), now Assistant Professor in Neuroradiology at Temple University
I joined BAIR because I hope to become a physician leader in the future. The track has allowed me to put the skills I learned during my MBA to immediate use and exposed me to the complexity of running a large radiology practice.
Capstone Project:
Designing pre-exam patient educational instructions for pelvic ultrasounds at a large academic medical center.
About:
- 2019 Center for Practice Transformation Innovation Award Winner
- Co-leader of “Introduction to Radiology” Program at Penn (2019)
- Completed Dual Degree MD/MBA at NYU SOM and NYU Stern (Class of 2017)
- Former Executive Clinic Coordinator of the NYC Free Clinic (2014-15)
- The longitudinal BAIR track has been an empowering experience as a physician-in-training. Through the track, I developed a toolkit to transform the practice I join after fellowship. BAIR represents a unique opportunity for Penn residents and I know that future classes will continue to derive critical skills for navigating the post-training world.
Michael Shriver, MD
Class of 2022. Graduated Penn Neuroradiology Fellowship 2023 (Chief Fellow) 2023, now at ProScan Imaging, Naples Community Hospital
I joined the BAIR track because it allows me to experience the aspects of radiology outside of medical science necessary to guide and improve a department or practice. It has taught me invaluable skills that have improved my knowledge of complex finances, business, marketing, people management, and innovation. I am excited to use these skills in the future as I strive to be a leader in the field.
Capstone Project:
Designing pre-exam patient educational instructions for pelvic ultrasounds at a large academic medical center.
About:
- 2019 Center for Practice Transformation Innovation Award Winner
- CEO of MedBoardTutors, LLC
- President of Cerebro Consulting, LLC
Emmanuel Magara, MD
Class of 2021. Co-founder, Business and Innovation in Radiology Track
Graduated MGH breast radiology fellowship 2022, now Breast and Nuclear Radiologist at Florida Radiology Consultants
I chose to learn the business aspects of radiology because I realize that no matter how much we aspire to provide the best patient care, we still need to be fiscally responsible to keep the lights on and our doors open.
Capstone Project:
Determining the economic value of AI in grading osteoarthritis
About:
- American Medical Association RFS Business and Economics Committee, Vice Chair (2017-18)
- Impact Africa Trust, Co-founder
Raghav Mattay, MD
Class of 2021. Co-founder, Business and Innovation in Radiology Track
Graduated Penn neuroradiology fellowship 2022, currently a NeuroIR fellow at UCSF
Innovation is all about thinking outside the box, and the BAIR track, with its interdisciplinary invited speakers and curriculum promotes us to do just that. Our integral connection with the Center of Practice Transformation allows us to take unique ideas and see them transform into a reality right in front of our eyes.
Capstone Project:
Economic Implications of Integrating Image Processing into the Workflow to Limit Gadolinium Contrast Administration in Multiple Sclerosis Patients
About:
- 2019 Pendergrass Day Quality Improvement Award recipient and 2019 Radiology Business Journal Imaging Innovation Award recipient
- 2020 Pendergrass Day Summa Cum Laude designation and Best Clinical Trainee Poster Award for BAIR Capstone Project
- Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer, Clinarify LLC. Awarded Penn HealthX Ventures Grant
Stephanie Wu, MD, MBA
Class of 2020 (Wake Radiology). Graduated Penn neuroradiology fellowship 2021, now a Neuroradiologist at Wake Radiology
The BAIR track has been an incredible experience for me. Our small group discussions with leaders in radiology, healthcare economics, and entrepreneurship are truly eye-opening and a unique opportunity for track residents. You will gain life-long practical skills and knowledge that you can bring with you to any academic program or private practice. If you’re a driven person seeking to shape patient care models and to learn more about the business side of radiology, the BAIR track will be a perfect fit for you!
Capstone Project:
N/A (HLQ Track)
About:
- Founding team leader, Business and Innovation in Radiology Track
- Received MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business, where she graduated with distinction
- Marketing and Strategy Intern at Siemens Healthcare (2014)
- Student Consultant for the Clinton Foundation Haiti Initiative (2014)
- Member of the operations and recruitment committees at Wake Radiology