Cody Schwartz, MD, MPH
Program Director
Diagnostic Radiology
Associate Program Director
Interventional Radiology
David Mauro, MD
Program Director
Interventional Radiology
Erin Moran, MD
Associate Program Director
Diagnostic Radiology
Katrina McGinty, MD
Associate Program Director
Diagnostic Radiology
Peter Bream, MD, FSIR
Associate Program Director
Interventional Radiology
On July 1st, 2021, UNC Radiology’s Diagnostic Radiology (DRAD) and Interventional Radiology (IR) programs underwent big leadership changes. Both programs are in great hands. Two-year Program Director (PD) Dr. Peter Bream passes the baton to Dr. Cody Schwartz, who learned the ropes as DRAD Associate PD (APD) and is a perfect fit to take the helm. Drs. Katrina McGinty and Erin Moran join Dr. Schwartz as our new DRAD APDs. This excellent leadership team is already at work, preparing for the 2021-2022 recruitment season and ensuring each of our 36 Diagnostic Radiology residents are on good footing as we begin AY 2021-2022.
When program leadership transition was announced, UNC Radiology Chair Dr. Maureen Kohi highlighted several of Dr. Bream’s contributions over two years as PD of our largest residency. Dr. Bream’s “Sick and Well-Being Leave” paid time off policy brought whole-person health to our program. When the pandemic prevented programs nationwide from conducting 2020-2021 recruitment in person, Dr. Bream led the charge to build a strong virtual platform. Teamed with 2020-2021 Co-Chief Dr. Tirth Patel and a talented local videographer, he orchestrated a full-scope video showcase of all that both our DRAD and IR residency programs have to offer. The innovation and leadership Dr. Bream invested in our 2020-2021 recruitment season delivered a high-appeal online experience for our sought-after applicants and enabled our DRAD and IR program leaders and residents to effectively engage them from a distance.
Approaching Match Day 2021, Dr. Bream reflected: “When I took over the program in April 2019, I was determined to maintain the high standards that had been in place for years, work with Cody and the chief residents to discover new and innovative ways to deliver the curriculum, and to mentor David in providing an unparalleled interview process. Our collective success has exceeded even my highest expectations despite obstacles no one could have predicted.”
For our IR residencies (Integrated and Independent), it’s a double win this year as Dr. Mauro begins serving as our new IR program PD. Win #1: Dr. Mauro brings extensive experience to this top leadership role from his years as Associate PD of our DRAD and IR programs. Win #2: Other DRAD leaders are coming along. Drs. Bream and Schwartz are serving as IR residency Associate PDs, reuniting a same-page-thinking trio who can advance the appeal and strength of this fast-growing residency program.
On behalf of UNC Radiology, Dr. Kohi expressed gratitude to outgoing IR program PD Dr. Bob Dixon. Over 10+ years, Dr. Dixon dedicated himself to UNC Radiology’s educational mission as PD of both our DRAD and IR residencies. When Dr. Dixon shifted his focus to solely leading IR education, he brought UNC Radiology’s IR program to nascency with the Spring 2017 full ACGME accreditation of our Integrated IR residency. He enabled this young program to add Independent IR and ESIR training pathways soon thereafter and laid the groundwork for UNC Radiology to attract and recruit IR-bound residents. We thank Dr. Dixon for his years of self-investment to bring IR education in the Department to a growth point of training six Integrated IR and four Independent IR residents in AY 2021-2022.
As a fellow interventional radiologist and former IR Division Chief, Dr. Kohi recognized Dr. Dixon’s strides in growing the reach of this subspecialty worldwide. In partnership with the University of Nairobi, Dr. Dixon established Kenya’s first IR fellowship program. He now serves as UNC Radiology’s faculty/staff team leader for facilitating didactics and hands-on IR training with Kenyan radiologists.
In conversation with Dr. Kohi, Dr. Dixon reflected on his time leading the IR program:
“It has been an honor and a privilege to lead the IR training program here at UNC. I have truly enjoyed working with our faculty and staff to help our residents and fellows become confident, caring, creative and talented Interventional Radiologists. I am confident that Drs. Mauro, Bream and Schwartz will continue to enhance the learning opportunities for our trainees for many years to come.”
UNC Radiology’s leadership transition in 2021 Diagnostic Radiology and Interventional Radiology education is no shell game. At a crossroads, our qualified junior leaders advance to top program roles in known territory. The enthusiastic junior faculty and seasoned senior program leaders who comprise our new base of APDs reinforce the talent and energies inherent to our program leadership. As AY 2021-2022 gets underway, it’s exciting to watch our program leaders investing themselves in the success of current residents, and equally in sustaining the strength of UNC Radiology’s residency education through planning for recruitment of top-tier future trainees.