From her Mayberry‑like childhood in rural Virginia to pioneering MRCP and leading one of the nation’s largest academic radiology departments, Ann S. Fulcher, MD, Chair of Radiology at Virginia Commonwealth University, has built a career defined by service, integrity, and curiosity.

In this episode, she sits down with host Geoffrey Rubin, MD, MBA, FACR, for a warm and deeply personal conversation tracing her journey from the influence of a WWII veteran father who taught her the value of duty and compassion, to the mentors who guided her toward abdominal imaging, to the unexpected leadership opportunities that emerged during her military service at Andrews Air Force Base.

Dr. Fulcher reflects on becoming a department chair earlier than she ever imagined, the lessons she carried from the Air Force into academic medicine, and the evolving challenges facing radiology’s leaders today.

She shares candid insights about building a cohesive culture across expanding clinical sites, sustaining research and education amid workforce pressures, and the responsibility leaders hold to champion quality and care in an increasingly productivity‑driven environment.

Beyond radiology, Dr. Fulcher discusses the life‑changing role photography has played in her well‑being - awakening creativity, restoring balance, and even uplifting colleagues and patients during challenging times. Her reflections on mentorship, purpose, and “what you do with your dash” offer a moving reminder of the impact a single career can have.

Engaging, humble, and full of heart, this conversation explores what it means to lead with clarity, compassion, and authenticity while never losing sight of the joy in the work itself.

Production support for this episode of this RLI “Taking the Lead” podcast has been provided by the Virginia Radiological Society, a statewide professional organization dedicated to improving the health of patients and society by making imaging safe, effective and accessible to those who need it. Visit www.varadsoc.org for more information.

Behind the Mic:

Dr. Fulcher is an avid traveler and passionate photographer, often combining both hobbies on adventurous trips that involve hiking and early mornings. She has explored nearly 50 countries, with favorite destinations including Chilean Patagonia for photographing pumas, Easter Island, Cuba, Tanzania, Norway’s Lofoten Islands, Svalbard, Brazil’s Pantanal, and India. Initially planning a career in Internal Medicine with a subspecialty in Allergy, she discovered her love for diagnostic problem-solving in radiology during medical school. Her favorite cuisine is ribs, and on a rainy day, she enjoys processing photographs.

Before leading Mayo Clinic’s digital transformation, John D. Halamka, MD, MA was a teenage engineer scavenging defense-contractor dumpsters for computer parts and a Stanford student who helped prototype early multimedia networks long before the internet entered everyday life.

In this episode, he sits down with host Geoffrey Rubin, MD, MBA, FACR to trace his remarkable journey across emergency medicine, Silicon Valley entrepreneurship, and national health IT policy.

Along the way, he built one of the first web-based electronic health records, helped shape interoperability standards that enable modern data exchange, and pioneered federated analytics (empowering global health systems to collaborate on AI development while keeping patient data local and protected ) and digital care models now being adopted around the globe. Dr. Halamka reflects on the mentors, risks, and resilience that propelled his career, and shares how adaptability, curiosity, and a simple mantra – “All will be well” - continue to guide his leadership philosophy in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

Behind the Mic:

Dr. John Halamka is an alpinist (a mountain climber who specializes in difficult and challenging ascents, often involving mixed terrain), rock and ice climber. He and his wife also share a deep love for animals and run Unity Farm Sanctuary (unityfarmsanctuary.org) which provides lifetime care for farm animals in need. Located in Sherborn, Massachusetts, Unity Farm Sanctuary is currently home to 400 large animals including gentle giant Dudley the Scottish Highland Bull, affectionate Marky Goat, shy Gypsy Minihorse, and social butterflies Turnip Turkey and Blackbeard Rooster.

In this special episode honoring the legacy of William G. Bradley Jr., MD, PhD, FACR, sponsored by the California Radiological Society Foundation, host Geoffrey Rubin, MD, MBA, FACR, sits down with Christine B. Chung, MD, Chair of the Department of Radiology at UC San Diego and President-Elect of the International Skeletal Society, for a rich and inspiring conversation on leadership, mentorship, and innovation in academic medicine.

From her upbringing in a small town in Wisconsin to leading one of the nation’s most innovative radiology departments, Dr. Chung reflects on the early encouragement from her grandmother that set her on the path to medicine. With warmth and clarity, she shares the pivotal role of mentors such as Donald Resnick, MD, FACR, and Bill Bradley Jr., MD, PhD, FACR, and her philosophy of intentional, personalized mentorship.

In this wide-ranging discussion, Dr. Chung offers candid insights on the challenges of building a research career, the importance of creating space for creativity and inclusion in academic environments, and the value of professional networks. She also speaks to the impact of career planning and the ongoing process of reinvention throughout her career.

Along the way, she offers powerful advice for radiologists at every career stage: find your passion, build your community, and embrace opportunities to grow - both professionally and personally. No matter where you are in your career, this episode offers a thoughtful exploration of resilience, reinvention, and the enduring value of community in academic medicine.

Behind the Mic!

Dr. Christine Chung married in 2023 and has two fantastic girls from her first marriage and two fur babies (dogs). Her daughters are 20 and 16 years old and her fur babies are 2.5 years and 11 months old!

Dr. Chung loves traveling with her family. Together, they’ve been to six continents. Throughout all her travels, her top three favorites are: the safari which was amazing to be the ‘visitor’ for the animals in their own habitat; Israel with the amazing religious history; and Athens seeing the acropolis/sophistication of ancient civilization.

In college, Dr. Chung ended up with a French major due to all of the French classes she took as a fun departure from science throughout her undergrad career.