VCU Health Division of Nuclear Medicine Carries Out First Treatment of PLUVICTO® Therapy For Prostate Cancer

Richmond, VA - June 2024 - The VCU Health Division of Nuclear Medicine provided a patient their first treatment of PLUVICTO, an FDA-approved, radioligand therapy offered as an outpatient intravenous infusion every six weeks for six treatments. PLUVICTO is the first, and only targeted radioligand therapy for adult patients with PSMA-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (PSMA+ mCRPC). VCU Health is one of only two health care providers in the Greater Richmond area approved to offer the PLUVICTO therapy.

The Nuclear Medicine Division offers PLUVICTO as a treatment to patients with PSMA+ mCRPC after treatment with androgen receptor (AR) pathway inhibition and taxane-based chemotherapy. PLUVICTO is comprised of two key components: lutetium-177, a cytotoxic radionuclide, and PSMA-617, a PSMA-targeting ligand. PLUVICTO emits beta radiation that targets the PSMA-positive cancer cells, which limits damage to other cells and improves outcomes for patients. 

VCU Pediatric Radiology Recognized at Annual Meeting

Pediatric Radiology Faculty and Residents Invited to Contribute to Leading Journal

Richmond, VA -- April 2024 -- VCU Department of Radiology faculty and residents garnered international attention at the Society of Pediatric Radiology (SPR) 2024 annual meeting in Miami, FL. The educational exhibit by Randy Aviado, D.O., Diagnostic Radiology resident and first-author, “Brain Hypoxic-Ischemic Injury (HII) in Preterm and Term Neonates," received an invitation to contribute to a review article in Pediatric Radiology, the official journal of the Society of Pediatric Radiology. This recognition acknowledges the efforts of Dr. Aviado and the mentorship and guidance of assistant professor Eman Mahdi, M.D.

Well-represented at the SPR annual meeting, the Pediatric Imaging section also had five educational exhibits accepted. The exhibits covered a diverse array of pediatric radiology topics, from a comprehensive case series on pediatric neuropathic hips to rare cases of neuroblastoma. The active involvement of residents and medical students in this work demonstrates their academic interest in pediatric radiology. It also highlights the ongoing commitment of the Pediatric Radiology faculty to the educational mission of the VCU Department of Radiology and VCU Health. The five exhibits follow: 

Aviado, Randy; Clark, Keaira; Mahdi, Eman S.; Vorona, Gregory; Nada, Ayman; Mishra, Chakradhar; Jones, Kathryn; Urbine, Jacqueline, “Brain Hypoxic-Ischemic Injury (HII) in Preterm and Term Neonates,” Educational exhibit, Society of Pediatric Radiology annual meeting, Miami Florida, April 2024. 

Jones K, Xie K, Kuester V, Woods P, Horstmann J, Mahdi E, Mishra C, Vorona G. “Pediatric Neuropathic Hip: A Case Series and Imaging Review.” Educational exhibit accepted for presentation at the Society of Pediatric Radiology annual meeting, Miami Florida, April 2024.

Gianna B, Hinh L, Mahdi E, Wang Z, Tye G, Ritter A, Petersson R, Richard H, Al-Sammarraie M, Jones K, Mishra C, Vorona G. “Neuroblastoma beyond the Norm: Unusual Intracranial and Ectopic Discoveries.” Educational exhibit accepted for presentation at the Society of Pediatric Radiology annual meeting, Miami Florida, April 2024.

Patel S, Aviado R, Way E, Bingham J, Strauss L, Mahdi E, Vorona G. “The Curious Case of the Vanishing Carotids.” Educational exhibit accepted for presentation at the Society of Pediatric Radiology annual meeting, Miami Florida, April 2024.

Alberto Cristobal; Jorge Martinez; Gregory Vorona; Kathryn Jones; Frances Austin; Eman Mahdi, “Angioinvasive Aspergillosis Complicated by Pulmonary Pseudoaneurysms in a Pediatric Patient: A Challenging Case Presentation and Management,” Case report, Society of Pediatric Radiology annual meeting, Miami Florida, April 2024. 

VCU Health Radiology at Stony Point Earns ACR Prostate Cancer MRI Center Designation

A First in Virginia, VCU Health Radiology at Stony Point Receives Elite Distinction for Safe and Effective Diagnostic Care for Individuals at the Highest Risk for Prostate Cancer.

Richmond, VA - April 2024 - VCU Health Radiology at Stony Point has been designated a Prostate Cancer MRI Center by the American College of Radiology® (ACR®).

The ACR Prostate Cancer MRI Center designation is a voluntary program that recognizes facilities that commit to practice safe, effective diagnostic care for individuals at the highest risk for prostate cancer.

In order to receive this elite distinction, facilities must be accredited by the ACR in the body module, as well as undergo a rigorous assessment of its MRI imaging protocol and infrastructure.

VCU Health is the only health system to achieve the accreditation in Virginia and one of only 65 medical facilities in the United States. 

The ACR, founded in 1924, is one of the largest and most influential medical associations in the United States. The ACR devotes its resources to make imaging and radiation therapy safe, effective and accessible to those who need it. Its 36,000 members include radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, interventional radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians.

Double Green, Recognition of Excellence

VCU Health Radiology Management Credited With Staff Satisfaction and Patient Safety

Richmond, VA -- April 2024 -- Robert Jarvis III, BSRS, RT(R), Associate Director of Radiology Operations, and Michelle Flynn, MBA, CNMT, CRA Imaging Modality Manager, recognized as engagement champions by VCU Health. Each achieved the Double Green status for receiving top tier results on the 2023 Press Ganey Engagement and Safety Survey in both the Team and Leader index scores. Results from the survey help VCU Health improve patient outcomes with better employee engagement.

The Double Green distinction reflects Robert and Michelle’s ability to support their team members through action planning, change management, and process improvement so their team members are equipped to succeed and well prepared to handle any challenge they will face. The two take different approaches to leadership and engagement to achieve long-term readiness, performance, and wellness goals.

According to Ben Roberts, MHA, CRA, RT(R)(MR), Director of Radiology, Transportation Services, and Neurodiagnostics, “The Double Green status is impressive especially during a time that health care is undergoing significant change and ongoing challenges ranging from staffing shortages and increased demand for medical services.”

Michelle, known for her strategic approach to leadership, focuses on innovation within her department. She excels at identifying new opportunities for team members, improving communication, and driving the department toward achieving long-term goals. Her data-driven leadership style emphasizes the importance of metrics, including Press Ganey scores, to track progress and make informed decisions.

“Michelle provides support to all team members and she has facilitated several new initiatives within Nuclear Medicine, including our latest therapy initiative. This is a well-deserved mark of excellence,” commented Jayashree Parekh, MD, MBA, Chair, Division of Nuclear Medicine.

Robert, distinguished by his exceptional interpersonal skills, fosters a positive work environment. He builds strong relationships with his team members and patients, emphasizing empathy and communication. Robert focuses on cultivating a culture of trust and collaboration, leading to high employee engagement and satisfaction. His leadership style is employee-centered where he places high value on feedback and uses it to improve patient care and staff well-being.

“This achievement is not just a mark of excellence; it's a testament to Robert and Michelle’s unwavering commitment to providing outstanding patient care and creating a supportive and fulfilling workplace while navigating the complexities of today’s healthcare environment. Each has found unique ways to connect with their teams personally, leading to highly engaged and patient-centered departments,” noted Ben Roberts.