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RLI Taking the Lead Podcast

Episode 36: Reed A. Omary, MD, MS, FACR


Headshot Dr. Omary

A Leader Who Really Cares


July 29, 2021

In this episode, Reed A. Omary, MD, MS, FACR, the Carol D. and Henry P. Pendergrass Professor and Chair of the Department of Radiology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) in Nashville, Tennessee, shares his journey from immigrating to the United States from Damascus, Syria at the age of one, to growing up in northern Virginia and deciding to follow his brother’s lead and pursue his BA and MD degrees from Northwestern University’s six-year Honors Program in Medical Education.

You will learn what led Dr. Omary to Vanderbilt after 12 years at Northwestern and how he has approached his role as Chair of the Board for the Vanderbilt Medical Group, and co-lead of the Medical Center’s strategic planning efforts. As president elect of the Association of University Radiologists (AUR), he shares his vision for the 2022 Annual Meeting’s theme of sustainability, climate change and radiology and his belief that we all have the opportunity to make a difference with the choices we make.

Dr. Omary is passionate about viewing challenges through a variety of lenses and soliciting input from both inside and outside of radiology and in 2018 launched a podcast called Innovation Activists that addresses some of health care’s biggest challenges.
In this episode he recounts how at the age of seven, a Cracker Jacks prize ignited his passion to understand the world through science, how “being fluent in the language of connecting with others” from a young age has guided his approach to leadership and the important role that mentorship has played in his career (listen in to learn what he gives all of his mentees!)

Finally, he shares why acting and improv have been as important to his development and personal fulfillment as anything he’s ever done. Don’t miss this special episode with Dr. Reed Omary who is a passionate proponent of healthcare, innovation, and fostering the next generation of radiologists and healthcare leaders through inspirational and supportive leadership.

View episode transcript »

Reed A. Omary, MD, MS, FACR

Reed A. Omary, MD, MS, FACR is a physician leader at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. He has more than 20 years of experience as a practicing interventional radiologist, scientist and educator. Reed is an avid mentor who enjoys inspiring individuals and organizations alike to innovate.

Full Bio »

Did You Know?

Dr. Omary always wanted to be an astronomer. The infinite possibilities of peering into the sky always inspired him. Dr. Omary says “my career path has not appreciably altered, for what is a radiologist but an astronomer of the human body?”

Dr. Omary grew up playing competitive soccer. As his knees gave out, he developed many other hobbies. These include anything outdoors and in nature. He’s been deeply into music since being a child, and has had a range of experiences from collecting vinyl records, songwriting, playing guitar, and being a DJ on college radio. Dr. Omary grew up in the Washington, DC area, and could never have predicted that he’d end up in Music City, although somehow it seems appropriate.

Additionally, Dr. Omary enjoys reading though his reading habits may differ from others in that he concurrently reads a slew of books at the same time—fiction, non-fiction, and poetry—and much to the dismay of his high school English teachers, he has zero problems punting on any book that he starts but does not enjoy.

Last but not least, Dr. Omary says “it’s so much fun to spend time with my wife, three kids, and dog.”

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