RSNA Member Spotlight: Hediyeh Baradaran, MD, MS

Hediyeh Baradaran, MD, MS, is an associate professor in the Department of Radiology and serves as chief of the Division of Neuroradiology at Columbia University in New York City. She received her medical degree from Weill Cornell Medical College and completed her diagnostic radiology residency at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center in Manhattan, where she served as chief resident.

Dr. Baradaran continued her fellowship training in neuroradiology at Weill Cornell, later completing a Master of Science in clinical investigation from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

Dr. Baradaran’s research, which focuses on cerebrovascular disease and stroke imaging, has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She is the recipient of multiple research and career development awards, including the Scholar Award in Neuroradiology from the American Society of Neuroradiology (ASNR) and the General Electric Radiology Research Award Fellowship.

Currently serving as a member of the RSNA Neuroradiology Subcommittee of the Annual Meeting Program Planning Committee, Dr. Baradaran is also chair of the grants committee of the Association of Academic Radiology (AAR) and co-chair of the evidence-based medicine committee of the ASNR.

She has served as associate program director of the diagnostic radiology residency program at the University of Utah and was recently awarded the Women in Neuroradiology Leadership Development Scholarship from the ASNR, American College of Radiology and American Association for Women Radiologists.

What or who sparked your interest in radiology?

During medical school, I was always drawn to the diagnostic and problem-solving side of medicine but was unsure of what my career path would look like. When I discovered neuroradiology during an elective, it clicked—it was a field that balanced puzzle-solving, clinical impact and intellectual challenge, and it was the perfect match for my interests and strengths. I feel incredibly lucky to have found a career I find so rewarding.

What has been your best professional accomplishment?

It’s hard to name a single “best” professional accomplishment because I’ve truly loved the path my career has taken so far—from completing demanding radiology training, to presenting and publishing novel research, to serving as an associate program director, and now as a division chief.

Each step has brought its own sense of fulfillment—whether it's the satisfaction of solving a complex diagnostic challenge, securing funding for a project I’m passionate about, or helping lead a team toward a shared goal. Most of all, I look forward to continuing to grow professionally and personally by learning from my patients, trainees and colleagues.

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced in your career?

Balancing a busy career in academic neuroradiology while raising three kids with a physician-husband has been both deeply fulfilling and, at times, a bit of a Sisyphean task. It’s definitely stretched my time-management skills to the limit, and it’s also given me perspective, purpose and plenty of humbling moments.

Juggling both worlds isn’t easy, but it has shaped who I am, both as a physician and as a parent. I’ve been lucky to have incredible role models who’ve shown me that it’s possible to build a meaningful career while keeping your sense of humor (mostly) intact.