Nationally recognized emergency radiologist Tarek Hanna, MD, named new chair of Diagnostic Radiology & Nuclear Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine

(Press-News.org) University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) Dean Mark T. Gladwin, MD, announced today that Tarek N. Hanna, MD, FASER, a nationally recognized expert in emergency and trauma radiology, has been named the new Chair of UMSOM’s Department of Diagnostic Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, President of University of Maryland Diagnostic Imaging Specialists and Chief of Diagnostic Radiology & Nuclear Medicine Clinical Service at University of Maryland Medical Center, following a national search.

Dr. Hanna, who will begin in the role September 2025, will be installed as the Dean John M. Dennis Chair of Radiology. Dr. Dennis, a prominent radiologist, was Chair of Radiology for 22 years, and Dean at UMSOM from 1974-1990.

Dr. Hanna joins UMSOM from the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, where he has worked since 2013, and currently serves as Professor, Vice Chair of Diagnostic Imaging, and Division Director of Emergency and Trauma Imaging within the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences.

He is highly regarded as an academic leader in radiology best practices with clinical and research focus on optimizing emergency imaging operations and minimizing diagnostic errors to improve patient outcomes.

In his new roles, he will advance clinical excellence and work to expand radiology services across central Maryland through Faculty Physicians, Inc. (FPI). He will also spearhead the recruitment of faculty in effort to expand research and academic initiatives at UMSOM.

“With technological advancements in imaging and interventional radiology, increased demand for early diagnosis of cancer, and the rise of artificial intelligence supported clinical care and image analysis, the field of radiology is one of the fastest-growing areas in medicine and science today,” said Dean Gladwin who is also Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Maryland, Baltimore, and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor.  

“We are very excited to have Dr. Hanna join the School of Medicine to launch this department into the future. His track record in emergency and trauma radiology, along with his strategic vision for enhancing clinical operations and education will be instrumental in advancing this department.”

Dr. Hanna will succeed Interim Chair of the Department William Regine, MD, FACR, FACRO and Co-Chair Bert O'Malley, MD. Dr. Regine is also the Isadore & Fannie Schneider Foxman Chair of Radiation Oncology and President of University of Maryland Faculty Physicians. Dr. O'Malley is President & CEO of the University of Maryland Medical Center. Elias R. Melhem, MD, served as Chair of the Department from 2012-24.

“Dr. Hanna’s experience leading complex imaging services, his dedication to faculty development, and his commitment to training the next generation of radiologists make him an exceptional choice to lead this department,” said Dr. Regine.

During his tenure as Vice Chair at Emory University School of Medicine, Dr. Hanna optimized clinical operations and worked to recruit and retain top faculty across eight Emory Healthcare hospitals and Grady Memorial Hospital, a level one trauma center.  He is an expert in radiology scheduling and staffing, and under his direction, the Division of Emergency and Trauma Imaging experienced a period of tremendous growth, becoming one of the nation’s leading academic emergency radiology practices.

As Division Director, he led emergency radiology operations in a 24/7/365 imaging environment overseeing quality improvement initiatives that maintained rapid imaging turnaround amid rising volumes while also fostering safe and sustainable after-hours radiologist coverage. Dr. Hanna’s research interests include imaging resource utilization, the effects of shift work, and streamlining imaging timelines in emergency radiology.

During his time at Emory, he promoted and coordinated interdivisional research initiatives and led multi-institutional radiology collaborations for which he was appointed to the Research Committee of American Society of Emergency Radiology. He has contributed as a co-author to more than 200 peer-reviewed papers and abstracts published in Radiology, Journal of the American College of Radiology, Clinical Imaging, Emergency Radiology, and Radiographics. Recent study topics have examined health equity and its impact on emergency imaging timelines, the association between radiologist age and diagnostic errors, as well as perspectives on the inclusion of artificial intelligence and machine learning in residency curriculums.

“Dr. Hanna’s breadth of expertise in this quickly evolving field, along with his dedication to high quality care, brings us the leadership to make even greater strides in precision medicine, utilizing the most advanced diagnostic tools and emerging therapies to deliver the best outcomes for our patients,” said Bert W. O'Malley, MD. “I look forward having him onboard.”

A passionate educator, Dr. Hanna has mentored dozens of students, trainees, and junior faculty throughout his career and is deeply committed to advancing radiology education and training. He served five years as the Program Director for the Emergency and Trauma Imaging fellowship at Emory. Committed to national service and excellence in patient care, Dr. Hanna currently serves on the Board of Directors of the American Society of Emergency Radiology, where he is also the Chair of the Annual Meeting Program Committee. He is also the incoming Chair of the Emergency Radiology Committee for the American College of Radiology.

“It is an honor and delight to be selected as the Chair of the University of Maryland Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine,” said Dr. Hanna. “From my first visit, I knew the Department was a special place with a significant history, an extraordinary culture, and dedicated faculty and staff. I look forward to working closely with existing faculty and leaders to help grow and transform the Department for the benefit of UM patients, faculty, and trainees.”

Dr. Hanna is also a graduate of Emory University School of Medicine. After earning his MD degree, he completed an internship at Saint Vincent’s Hospital Manhattan, followed by residency in diagnostic radiology and a fellowship in musculoskeletal radiology at Emory.

 

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