The BAIR track is a four-year longitudinal program that prepares residents to become leaders and innovators in radiology practice. Under the mentorship of department executives, residents build a foundation in four core areas: practice transformation, healthcare economics, the business of radiology, and health policy.
The track consists of monthly seminars, experiential learning sessions, and a mentored capstone project. Residents also participate in departmental and hospital-wide committee meetings to gain practical experience in business operations and administration.
Leadership
Curriculum by year
| R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| HTBAR lectures |
Departmental meetings | Healthcare operations | RLI Summit and ACR Fellowship |
| Economics lectures | Economics lectures | Economics lectures | Departmental meetings |
| Online modules and readings (1-week elective) | Small group lunch sessions (8–10 sessions) | Small group lunch sessions (8–10 sessions) | Small group lunch sessions (8–10 sessions) |
| Capstone project (1-week elective) | Capstone project (2-week elective) |
Seminars and speakers
Monthly seminars have featured a world-class roster of invited speakers, including our Chief Administrative Officer, faculty innovators, radiology entrepreneurs with successful company acquisitions, healthcare venture capitalists, department chairs from leading institutions, Wharton School of Business professors, and Penn’s Chief Innovation Officer.
Additionally, a healthcare operations course taught by a Wharton professor is integrated into the didactic component.
Capstone project
Residents use dedicated elective time to complete a mentored capstone project, working with radiology leaders to design and implement innovative solutions to real challenges in the field. Residents who complete the capstone receive an official certificate upon graduation.
Testimonials
Joseph Behnke, MD — Class of 2028
I believe the practice of medicine, and radiology in particular, is an ever-evolving process driven by innovation and problem-based solutions. The BAIR track provides a multidisciplinary curriculum for aspiring leaders to deliver impact within healthcare beyond the reading room.
Bahram Mohajer, MD — Class of 2028
I’ve always been passionate about impactful innovations in healthcare and believe that understanding the business aspects is essential for developing, implementing, and scaling evidence-based solutions. The BAIR track provides the ideal platform to leverage my background in imaging AI research and public health.
Richard Wu, MD — Class of 2029
The more I learned about the day-to-day workings of radiology, the more I realized how much the economic macroenvironment and business decisions have an impact on what we do. I joined the BAIR track to learn how to navigate this rapidly changing healthcare environment.
Amber Simons, MD — Class of 2027
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.
Sriharsha Voleti, MD — Class of 2027
As radiology faces growing challenges — changing reimbursement structures, technological advancement, labor market shifts — I joined the BAIR track to understand the non-interpretive aspects of the field and practice transforming ideas into actionable solutions.
Srinidhi Shanmugasundaram, MD — Class of 2028
With my interests in interventional radiology, I look forward to gaining deeper insight into medical device development and clinical practice-building. Understanding the financial aspects of healthcare and innovation is crucial for improving patient access to minimally invasive care.
Vedant Acharya, MD — Class of 2026
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.
Vineeth Gangaram, MD — Class of 2026
Coming into medicine with a software development background, I’ve realized that identifying pain points and creating solutions isn’t enough. The BAIR track offers a chance to understand the factors driving the healthcare industry, equipping me to design scalable solutions that align incentives.
Kari Williams, MD, MBA — Class of 2026
I have been interested in the business of medicine since the beginning of medical school — it’s one of the main reasons I obtained an MBA. I am very interested in expanding access to care and modern radiological services. Now is the perfect time to nurture and empower physician entrepreneurs.
Jaclyn Lundberg, MD — Class of 2025
I believe we can use business to powerfully impact the healthcare system and change fundamental healthcare inequalities. Business can change things on a much larger scale than anything we can do on an individual level.
Curriculum Director, “Empowerment of Women in Medicine,” Mivvy; Director of Biomedical Project Development and Innovation, Creighton Biomedical Engineering Group
Benjamin Steyer, MD, PhD — Class of 2025
Improving our health systems requires a deep understanding of how incentives drive care delivery and innovation. I chose BAIR because it provides direct access to local and national leaders and a direct understanding of how reimbursement policy influences decisions at Penn Medicine.
MD/PhD, University of Wisconsin–Madison (2020); co-leader, RadCare 2022–2023; named inventor on non-viral nucleic acid delivery material patent
Shawn Ma, MD — Class of 2025
I 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 my interests in business and technology into tangible skills and projects.
Certificate in Healthcare Management, Entrepreneurship, and Technology, Perelman School of Medicine (2019); Penn HealthX VP Finance and Co-President
Jing Wang, MD — Class of 2024
BAIR 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.
Honors thesis in economics on the effect of ACA Medicaid expansion on healthcare utilization
Marla Perez, MD — Class of 2023
Current Interventional Radiology Resident, Massachusetts General Hospital
I chose BAIR to learn more about the business of radiology. Interacting with administrative members of our hospital system and the medical business community provides unique exposure during residency training.
Co-Leader, ED Readiness Committee; completed Medical Device course at Wharton
Graham Trent, MD — Class of 2023
Current Breast/Body Imaging Fellow, 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
2019–2020 Radiology Medical Student Resident Teaching Award; completed Wharton Online Business of Healthcare Specialization; 2022–2023 Informatics Fellow
Greg Mittl, MD, MBA — Class of 2022
Chief Fellow, Penn Neuroradiology Fellowship 2023; now Assistant Professor in Neuroradiology, Temple University
I joined BAIR because I hope to become a physician leader. The track allowed me to put skills from 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
2019 Center for Practice Transformation Innovation Award; MD/MBA, NYU School of Medicine and NYU Stern (2017)
Michael Shriver, MD — Class of 2022
Chief Fellow, Penn Neuroradiology Fellowship 2023; now at ProScan Imaging, Naples Community Hospital
BAIR taught me invaluable skills in complex finances, business, marketing, people management, and innovation. I am excited to use these skills 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
2019 Center for Practice Transformation Innovation Award; CEO, MedBoardTutors LLC; President, Cerebro Consulting LLC
Emmanuel Magara, MD — Class of 2021
Co-founder, BAIR Track. Now Breast and Nuclear Radiologist, Florida Radiology Consultants
I chose to learn the business aspects of radiology because no matter how much we aspire to provide the best patient care, we still need to be fiscally responsible to keep our doors open.
Capstone project: Determining the economic value of AI in grading osteoarthritis
AMA RFS Business and Economics Committee, Vice Chair (2017–18); co-founder, Impact Africa Trust
Raghav Mattay, MD — Class of 2021
Co-founder, BAIR Track. Now NeuroIR Fellow, UCSF
Innovation is all about thinking outside the box, and the BAIR track promotes us to do just that. Our connection with the Center for Practice Transformation allows us to take unique ideas and see them transform into reality.
Capstone project: Economic Implications of Integrating Image Processing to Limit Gadolinium Contrast Administration in Multiple Sclerosis Patients
2019 Pendergrass Day Quality Improvement Award; 2019 Radiology Business Journal Imaging Innovation Award; 2020 Pendergrass Day Best Clinical Trainee Poster; co-founder and CMO, Clinarify LLC
Stephanie Wu, MD, MBA — Class of 2020
Founding team leader, BAIR Track. Now Neuroradiologist, Wake Radiology
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 learn more about the business side of radiology, BAIR will be a perfect fit.
MBA, NYU Stern School of Business (distinction); Marketing and Strategy Intern, Siemens Healthcare; Student Consultant, Clinton Foundation Haiti Initiative