Radiology Trailblazer Named RLI Leadership Luminary

The Radiology Leadership Institute® (RLI) named Cheri L. Canon, MD, FACR, FSAR, FAAWR, the 2025 Leadership Luminary Award recipient for her exceptional lifetime achievements, innovation, leadership and service to the radiology medical specialty. The RLI also announced the Impact in Leadership Award and Philips Emerging Leader RLI Scholarship recipients during ACR 2025, the American College of Radiology® (ACR®) Annual Meeting May 3–7, in Washington, DC. 

“Throughout her career, Dr. Canon has demonstrated the highest level of leadership excellence, bringing great distinction and honor to ACR, the RLI and to herself,” said Frank J. Lexa, MD, MBA, chief medical officer of the RLI and chair of the RLI Board. “She is very deserving of this award. Our profession benefits greatly from Dr. Canon’s continuing efforts and her remarkable achievements.”

Dr. Canon is president of the University of Alabama Health Services Foundation (HSF), chief physician executive of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Health System and professor emerita in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine Department of Radiology. She is a member of the UAB Medicine Joint Operating Leadership Council and is a trustee on the HSF Board. Dr. Canon served in multiple roles within ACR, including vice president, member of the Board of Chancellors and chair of the ACR Commission on Education. As an inaugural ACR RLI board member, she helped found the comprehensive leadership development program in partnership with many esteemed business schools. She received the ACR Gold Medal, the College’s highest honor, in 2021. 

The RLI Impact in Leadership Award recognizes individuals whose participation in an RLI course or program was integral to the successful completion of specific projects or initiatives at their practices or institutions. 

The 2025 Impact in Leadership Award recipient is Yu-Hui Huang, MD, MS, MS. Dr. Huang is a radiologist physician at the University of Minnesota and Hennepin Healthcare, where she applies her expertise in advanced imaging to support patient care. She also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Graduate Biomedical Visualization Program, a role she has held since her residency. Dr. Huang integrates her clinical experience with a background in biomedical visualization, focusing on the use of 3D imaging technologies to enhance diagnostics and treatment planning to improve patient outcomes. Through her work in both clinical practice and education, Dr. Huang is dedicated to advancing radiology.

The Philips Emerging Leader RLI Scholarship recognizes residents or fellows who made a significant contribution to their institutions and/or the field of radiology while also exhibiting the potential to be future leaders in the field. 

The 2025 Philips Emerging Leader RLI Scholarship recipients are:

• Moozhan Nikpanah, MD | University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine
• Christian Gomez, MD | Emory University School of Medicine
• Ahmed Farhat, MSBS, DO | West Virginia University School of Medicine
• Kyle Stumetz, DO | Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth 
• Nirali D. Dave, MD | Indiana University School of Medicine
• Bathai Edwards, MD | Duke University School of Medicine 
• Mark Hamilton, MD | Northwell Health Zucker School of Medicine 
• Somiah Almeky, MD | Boston University Medical Center
• Matthew Agritelley, MD | Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
• John T. Moon, MD | Emory University School of Medicine

“RLI leadership training provides an ideal springboard for physicians to reach their leadership goals and for their practices and medical societies to reap the rewards of their improved leadership abilities,” said Dana H. Smetherman, MD, MPH, MBA, FACR, CEO of ACR. “We are creating tomorrow’s radiology leaders today.”

The RLI, ACR’s professional development and leadership program, will recognize award recipients at the RLI Summit, Sept. 26–28, in Boston.

To arrange an interview with an ACR/RLI spokesperson, contact Kevin R. Walter or Carly Simpson at PR@acr.org.