Message from Department Chair

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Message from Department Chair

Dear Friends,

I am elated to announce that we have earned the Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence (DICOE) designation by the American College of Radiology (ACR) for VCU Medical Center, Stony Point, and Short Pump Pavilion. It is the highest standard for diagnostic imaging facilities and speaks to our department's immense talent and hard work.

Among adult imaging centers, VCU Health is the only health system in Richmond, the only academic medical center in Virginia and one of only 16 academic medical facilities in the United States to achieve the DICOE designation.

After a comprehensive assessment of our medical imaging facilities, including structure, policies, and outcomes, we achieved this three-year status. The endorsement of our value-based care distinguishes our facilities and is evidence of our unwavering commitment to patient safety, quality imaging, and patient care is authentic.

A designation of this caliber does not happen overnight nor does it occur because of one person. This accomplishment speaks to the Department's team effort. Simply put, every person in this Department contributed to this incredible achievement.

I hope you take a few minutes to read through our newsletter, where you can read more about the significance of the DICOE designation, recent faculty awards, and residency program updates.

Be well,

~ Ann S. Fulcher, M.D., FACR, FSAR

VCU Radiology Earns Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence Designation

The VCU Health Radiology Department has earned the Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence (DICOE) designation by the American College of Radiology (ACR) for all VCU Health diagnostic imaging centers located at the downtown medical campus, Stony Point and Short Pump Pavilion.Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence logo

Among adult imaging centers, VCU Health is the only health system to achieve the designation in Richmond, the only academic medical center in Virginia and one of only 16 academic medical facilities in the United States.

“Our Department can take great pride in this achievement, as this designation is validation of our ongoing commitment to quality care, patient safety and efficiency,” said Ann S. Fulcher, M.D. “Radiology plays a significant role in health care so this one-of-a-kind recognition elevates both our staff, who are often behind the scenes, and the VCU Health System.”

The DICOE designation, a three-year status, recognizes VCU Health Radiology exceeds ACR accreditation standards providing best-quality imaging practices and excellence in diagnostic imaging. The designation acknowledges the integral role professional and support staff, technology and policies and procedures play in providing excellent patient care.

Eligibility requirements for the DICOE program stipulated diagnostic imaging centers must be accredited by ACR in all modalities they provide and actively participate in the Dose Index Registry and Lung Cancer Screening, as well as Image Wisely and Image Gently initiatives.

The VCU Department of Radiology underwent a virtual site survey to complete the assessment. Since July 2020, ACR completed approximately 60 virtual surveys and, once COVID-19 travel restrictions are lifted, the association plans to conduct on-site surveys for all new DICOE facilities. 

Areas of assessment included:

  • Governance
  • Personnel
  • Facility organization and management
  • Physical environment
  • Equipment and IT infrastructure
  • Radiation and general safety
  • Quality management
  • Policies and procedures
  • Patient rights
  • Medical records

Although ACR does not offer an accreditation program, the DICOE site survey included a review of routine diagnostic imaging (X-ray) and fluoroscopy focusing on:

  • Equipment safety
  • Radiation safety
  • Use of protocol
  • Documenting fluoroscopy dose

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 making imaging and radiation therapy safe, effective and accessible to those who need it. ACR comprises physicians, physicists, and technology experts in radiology and is the oldest and most experienced imaging accreditation body.

Abdominal Imaging Faculty Receive RadioGraphics Editor’s Recognition Award

Portrait of Laura R. Carucci, M.D., FACR, FSAR    Neeraj Lalwani M.D. white lab coat
Laura Carucci, M.D., Professor and Chair of Abdominal Imaging, and Neeraj Lalwani, M.D., Associate Professor, received the 2021 Radiology Society of North America's RadioGraphics Editor’s Recognition Award for reviewing with Distinction. The award is presented annually to a highly select group of reviewers.

RadioGraphics' mission is to publish high-quality educational content, which is a result of the efforts of reviewers who provide peer review of submitted material for the journal. In 2021, there were 425 individuals who reviewed submitted manuscripts.

Dr. Ann Fulcher receives her Society of Abdominal Radiology Gold Medal

Dr. Ann Fulcher with her Society of Abdominal Radiology Gold Medal

Ann S. Fulcher, M.D. was awarded her 2021 Society of Abdominal Radiology (SAR) Gold Medal during this year's SAR Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Due to COVID-19, last year's annual meeting was virtual so the award ceremony was delayed until the 2022 annual meeting. (Photo courtesy Mary Ann Turner, M.D.)

Read the VCU School of Medicine article

VCU Radiologists Make Richmond Magazine's 2022 Top Docs List

White Coat Portrait of Ann Fulcher M D    Portrait of Brian Strife MD    Portrait of Gregory Vorona M D in a white lab coat
Congratulations to Ann S. Fulcher, M.D., Brian Strife M.D. and Gregory Vorona, M.D. who are three of the more than 200 VCU Health physicians who made the 2022 list of Richmond’s “Top Docs,” published each year by Richmond Magazine. The physicians were chosen by their peers using a Richmond Magazine online survey.
VCU Health physicians were listed under a wide range of specialties, from radiology and interventional radiology to gastroenterology and neurology. Doctors from Hume-Lee Transplant Center, VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Pauley Heart Center and Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU were on the list.

VCU Department of Radiology Safety Culture: Safety First

The VCU Health Radiology Department is continually recognized as a leader in safety. In this video, Ann S Fulcher, MD, Malcolm K Sydnor, Jr., MD, Brian Strife, MD, and Tiffany Tucker, MD, share what safety means to them and how they develop a culture of safety. Some photos taken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learn About Our Safety Culture
VCU Department of Radiology Safety Culture: Safety First
VCU Radiology Safety Culture

Recognition of Exceptional Service to VCU

Happy anniversary and congratulations to all those celebrating a career milestone in 2022

35 Years
Sherry Elliott, MBA

20 Years
Mark S. Parker, M.D.
Malcolm K. Sydnor, Jr., M.D.

10 Years
Brian Suddarth, M.D.
Yang Tang, M.D., Ph.D.
Tiffany Tucker, M.D.

5 Years
Kendall Capecci, M.D.
Ryan Clayton, M.D.
Franklin Dana, M.D.

Radiology Education News

2022 Graduating Class of Radiology Residents

Group of 2022 graduating class of radiology residents

Congratulations to our new residency program graduates. We are so proud to share their journeys (pictured from left to right):


Agni Chandora, M.D. - Breast Imaging at University of Alabama Medical Center
Brandon Bunker, M.D. - Abdominal Imaging at VCU Health
Cooper Cain, M.D. - Neuroradiology at Brigham & Women's Hospital
Jared Jaynes, M.D. - Interventional Radiology at VCU Health
S. Mobeen Reza, D.O. - Interventional Radiology at VCU Health
Michael Pasyk, M.D. - Neuroradiology at Emory
Son Vo, M.D. - Breast Imaging at Johns Hopkins
Priyanush Kandakatla, M.D. - Breast Imaging at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell