2 radiology chairs step down at academic institution

Stanford Medicine has announced that two chairs of its Department of Radiology are stepping down from their positions, effective Oct. 1. 

They include Garry Gold, MD, a professor of radiology and biomedical imaging, who is vacating his role as department chair. He became interim chair after the passing of Dr. Sanjiv “Sam” Gambhir in 2020 and later took on the role permanently in 2022. During that time, Gold has helped harness new technology and elevate the department to “new levels of excellence,” Stanford said in an announcement.

“The department has also seen incredible growth, including the expansion of its world-class faculty,” Stanford noted. “Commitment toward training the next generation of scientists and clinicians has also remained on the forefront in Dr. Gold’s vision for the department.” 

Stanford did not give a reason for the leadership change. But it noted that Gold will remain with the department as a professor and continue his research activities. “In the next several years,” Gold also will lead a new Center for Imaging in Human Performance. 

Meanwhile, David Larson, MD, MBA, will be transitioning away from his role as executive vice chair of the Department of Radiology, also effective Oct. 1. He has served as a professor of radiology in the pediatric division and is a recognized leader in quality and safety.  

Recently while Gold was on leave, Larson took on additional administrative duties from February through September of this year. Larson also has represented the Department of Radiology while engaging in strategic planning. He will remain as a professor of pediatric radiology, refocusing on research while continuing to direct the AI Development and Evaluation Lab and efforts to implement this technology. 

Quynh Le, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology, has been named as interim chair of the Department of Radiology, also effective Oct. 1. Stanford said it is conducting a national search process to find a permanent replacement.

“Dr. Le’s immediate goals are to maintain continuity while supporting efforts to further the department’s mission for the growing clinical services and operations, research productivity and translation, and continued supportive environment for educational programs,” the announcement concluded. 

Marty Stempniak

Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic. 

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