Congratulations to Harrison Kim, M.D., AJ Gunn, M.D., and Padma Manapragada, M.D., esteemed members of the UAB Department of Radiology, on their acceptance into prestigious leadership programs at UAB.

Kim will join the Blaze Leadership Academy, Gunn has been selected for the Healthcare Leadership Academy, and Manapragada will participate in the Elevate Leadership Program through the Collat School of Business. These programs are designed to foster leadership excellence across UAB, equipping participants with the skills, perspectives, and connections needed to lead in today's complex healthcare and academic environments. Their selection reflects both their professional achievements and their commitment to advancing UAB's mission.

Harrison Kim, M.D. Blaze Leadership Academy

Dr. Kim’s primary research focus is the global standardization of quantitative diffusion and perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for cancer. This effort aims to enable the accurate measurement of diffusion and perfusion MRI parameters, facilitating automated diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy monitoring. Automated clinical decisions will significantly reduce both turnaround time and medical expenses, ensuring that patients receive high-quality medical imaging services regardless of financial status. Dr. Kim's research also emphasizes the development of safe, portable, and cost-effective tools. He has developed point-of-care portable phantoms for real-time quality assurance in quantitative diffusion/perfusion MRI, as well as various software packages for medical image processing and analysis.

Blaze Leadership Academy seeks to cultivate high-potential leaders who aspire to grow and make a greater impact at UAB. The program emphasizes the development of essential skills and the adoption of new perspectives to lead and manage successfully in a dynamic, changing environment. It offers developmental assessments, opportunities to connect with colleagues across UAB, and content aligned with UAB’s shared values and leadership expectations.

AJ Gunn, M.D. Healthcare Leadership Academy

Before joining the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Andrew J. Gunn, M.D., was an attending interventional radiologist at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. He has lectured and published nationally on image-guided cancer therapies, including chemoembolization, radioembolization, percutaneous ablation, uterine fibroid and bariatric embolization, trauma treatments, IVC filter retrievals, and patient-centered care in radiology. Currently, Dr. Gunn serves as the Director of the Interventional Radiology Ambulatory Clinic and Assistant Program Director for the Diagnostic Radiology Residency. He also holds leadership roles in national organizations such as the Society of Interventional Radiology. Clinically, Dr. Gunn provides a full range of interventional radiology services and works closely with patients to tailor therapies to their individual needs.

The UAB Healthcare Leadership Academy (HLA) was established on the belief that the future of academic health systems will be shaped by clinicians and executives who lead in medicine and possess the leadership skills needed to manage an increasingly complex environment. HLA offers a comprehensive program providing training and development opportunities for leaders in the 21st century. It helps current and aspiring leaders broaden their understanding of their roles, gain new insights on key leadership and management challenges, and deepen their knowledge of relevant management concepts. The program features classroom sessions, team projects, and experiential learning activities aimed at enhancing leadership capabilities.

Padma Manapragada, M.D. Elevate Leadership Program in Collat School of Business

Padma Priya Manapragada, M.D., graduated from Gandhi Medical College in Hyderabad, India, where she completed her medical degree and residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology. After moving to the U.S., she shifted her focus to Molecular Imaging and Radiology at UAB. She completed fellowships in Clinical PET Imaging and Cardiopulmonary Imaging at Emory University and UAB. Now an Assistant Professor of Radiology and Associate Program Director for Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics at UAB, Dr. Manapragada has earned multiple teaching awards. In her free time, she enjoys family, travel, gardening, and cooking.

Elevate Leadership program in the Collat School of Business is designed for emerging leaders, with a focus on self-awareness, strategic thinking, effective communication, and building team trust. The program brings together a diverse cohort of employees from various industries and organizations who currently lead teams or are on track to do so. Throughout the eight-month program, running from October to May, participants refine and enhance their leadership skills while fostering collaborative relationships.