How To Be An Academic Radiologist (HTBAR) is a unique career-development seminar series curated to help our first- year residents discover and plan for career pathways that best fit their goals and passions. The two-week course is highly anticipated by the residents each year and has become a Penn Radiology legacy since 2008 in its current resident-led format.
The HTBAR course is all about enhancing residents' understanding of all aspects of radiology. From academics and research to business and operations, the program sets up R1 residents for success by giving them an early look at how radiology works. This skill set allows them to direct their careers, interests, and research efforts in a meaningful way.
Lectures are interactive, resident-centric, and resident-driven. Each year, HTBAR is fine-tuned by the residents to include new interests and engaging, dynamic lectures. The curriculum is broad, including pressing topics in the field such as artificial intelligence, leadership, finance, education, medical malpractice, entrepreneurship, innovation, advocacy, and global health.
The R1 residents themselves are part of the lecture program by giving interesting case conference and research presentations to each other. Over the years, HTBAR has continued to morph and evolve to suit the needs and interests of residents and has become a favorite part of the R1 year!.
View the full HTBAR course schedule
HTBAR Co-Directors
Vineeth Gangaram, MD
Class of 2026
Lin (Ianto) Xi, MD
Class of 2027
Sriharsha Voleti, MD
Class of 2027
John Walsh, MD
Class of 2027
Distinguished speakers
During each HTBAR week, leadership figures from academia and industry are invited to spend the day with HTBAR participants and deliver grand rounds to the department. In addition to grand rounds, speakers deliver content-relevant talks to the entire residency during morning lecture, followed by small group one-on-one sessions with HTBAR participants. During these sessions, residents discuss an array of topics with the invited speaker, ranging from career advancement to controversial topics in the field of radiology. A list of these prior invited speakers can be found below. A few of our most recent distinguished speakers have been Dr. Ruth Carlos, Dr. Judy Yee, and Dr. Richard Duszak.
2025
Howard Chen, MD — Where Rubber Meets the Road: AI Product Implementation, Lifecycle, and Monitoring at Cleveland Clinic
2024
Woojin Kim, MD — Navigating the New Frontier: How Generative AI is Reshaping Radiology
Kurt Schoppe, MD — Policy is Culture
2023
Paul Matthews, OBE, MD, DPhil, FRCP, FMedSci — How Clinical Imaging in UK Biobank is Transforming Understanding of Late Life Disease
M. Victoria Marx, MD — Interventional Radiology: Evolution of a Specialty
2022
Jody Tanabe, MD — Vice Chair of Research and Neuroradiology Section Chief, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Lawrence “Rusty” Hoffman, MD — Professor and Chief of Interventional Radiology, Stanford Health
2021
Jody Tanabe, MD - Vice chair of research and neuroradiology section chief, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Lawrence “Rusty” Hoffman, MD - Professor and chief of interventional radiology, Stanford Health
Ruth Carlos, MD, MS, FACR — Health Service and Financial Outcomes
Judy Yee, MD, FACR — CT Colonography
2020
Rich Duszak, MD — Health Policy
Pamela Johnson, MD, FACR — Quality and Safety / High Value Care