Achala Vagal, MD, appointed chair of Department of Radiology at UC College of Medicine
Achala Vagal, MD
Following an extensive national search, the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine is proud to announce the appointment of Achala Vagal, MD, as chair of the Department of Radiology, effective August 1, 2025. A nationally and internationally recognized expert in neuroradiology and stroke imaging, Vagal brings more than two decades of dedicated service to UC, where she's earned a reputation as a collaborative leader, excellent clinician, innovative researcher and dedicated mentor.
Vagal is a tenured professor and currently serves as executive vice chair and vice chair of research in the Department of Radiology. She also served as acting chair in 2023 during a critical period of UC Health system transformation, playing a pivotal role in streamlining operations, enhancing provider networks and strengthening financial accountability. Vagal will continue to serve as associate dean of clinical and translational science and training and co-director of the Center for Clinical and Translational Science and Training (CCTST) — reflecting her broader leadership across the academic health center and her ongoing commitment to advancing research, workforce development and community engagement.
Vagal shared, “It's a tremendous honor to step into the role of chair for the Department of Radiology, a department I have been deeply invested in for more than 20 years. I am excited to build upon our strong foundation and lead with a focus on people, processes and infrastructure. My vision is to cultivate an environment that attracts and retains top talent, pioneers clinical AI integration, fosters transformative research and prioritizes a supportive experience for both our patients and health care teams. I look forward to working collaboratively to achieve unparalleled excellence and ensure UC Radiology remains at the forefront of the field.”
“Dr. Vagal is a visionary leader whose unwavering dedication to high-quality patient care, translational research and mentorship epitomizes UC’s mission,” said Gregory C. Postel, MD, dean of the College of Medicine, Christian R. Holmes professor, executive vice president for health affairs at UC and chair of the UC Health Board of Directors. “Her strategic leadership and collaborative spirit, combined with her deep understanding of our institution, will undoubtedly propel our Department of Radiology and our broader academic health enterprise to new heights.”
Under Vagal’s leadership as vice chair of research since 2016, the Department of Radiology has undergone a remarkable transformation, revitalizing its research infrastructure and significantly increasing its extramural funding. Her efforts have helped propel the department into the top 25 radiology departments in National Institutes of Health projects by The Academy for Radiology & Biomedical Imaging Research. She is a highly funded researcher with innovative research contributions in stroke imaging biomarkers and brain health in clinical trials and large-scale population studies.
Vagal's expertise extends to national leadership roles, including director of the National Imaging Management Center for NIH StrokeNet, where she leads the imaging core lab for large, multicenter national and international clinical trials. She serves on the board of directors and is the officer secretary of the American Society of Neuroradiology (ASNR) and chairs the Neuroradiology Program Committee for the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Annual Meeting Program Planning Committee. Her research initiatives, including bringing human-centered design to clinical imaging, have earned her several national honors, such as the Stroke Innovation Award at the 2019 International Stroke Conference, 2019 Women in Leadership Award by the Foundation of the American Society of Neuroradiology and several RSNA Honored Educator Awards. She completed the prestigious Executive Leadership In Academic Medicine (ELAM) fellowship in 2022.
In addition to her scholarly impact, Vagal is deeply committed to mentorship, having guided more than 40 trainees through local, regional and national development programs. Through her leadership of the institutional Faculty Retention, Achievement and Mentorship Evaluation (FRAME) program at UC, she has played a pivotal role in supporting early-career scientists across numerous disciplines.
Vagal earned her medical degree from Grant Medical College and Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals in Mumbai, India, and completed her diagnostic radiology residency at the University of Mumbai. She completed her neuroradiology fellowship and a body imaging fellowship at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, followed by a master's degree in clinical and translational research at the University of Cincinnati.
Vagal assumes the chair position following the distinguished tenure of Mary Mahoney, MD, professor of radiology. Mahoney’s dedicated leadership and transformative initiatives for more than a decade have greatly advanced the Department of Radiology. Her unwavering commitment has left an enduring legacy, setting a strong foundation for the future.
Under Vagal’s leadership, the Department of Radiology is poised to further strengthen its national prominence, amplify its research enterprise and continue to innovate in education and patient care. Learn more about the UC College of Medicine Department of Radiology at https://med.uc.edu/depart/radiology.
Featured image at top: The exterior of the UC College of Medicine's CARE/CRAWLEY building.
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