At Johns Hopkins Radiology, we are all about developing tomorrow’s leaders, today!

Great leaders grow over time, built up by support and guidance from mentors and colleagues. For the past 19 years, the Johns Hopkins Department of Radiology has offered staff the opportunity to hone their leadership skills through the innovative Future Leaders program.

Each fall, managers nominate potential leaders throughout the department. These staff are invited to participate in an immersive eight-month program that touches on topics including setting goals, improving presentation skills, and mediating difficult conversations. This year’s cohort, the Class of 2025, celebrated the conclusion of this year’s program during a graduation ceremony at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in May.

Future Leaders is based at the East Baltimore hospital campus, but features Radiology and Imaging staff from Johns Hopkins Medical Imaging (JHMI), The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center, and the Sibley and Suburban Hospitals. The program is coordinated by LaKiesha, JHMI assistant director at Green Spring Station, and Bina, radiology clinical integration manager.

This year’s 16 graduates were met with cheers (even signs, flowers, and balloons!) as they entered to begin the graduation festivities. The ceremony included a slideshow detailing some of the year’s highlights, as well as remarks from department leadership, including Susan, radiology administrator; Danielle, chief administrative officer of radiology and president of JHMI; and Peg, director of JHMI.

For her part, Danielle offered her congratulations to the graduates, noting, “I hope you continue to grow as you develop in your careers.”

In her remarks, Susan described how impressed she was when she first encountered Radiology’s unique Future Leaders program. She was amazed, she recounted, at how department leadership takes the time to work with and develop each employee on the team.

Peg emphasized this point as she had the graduates look behind them at the assembled crowd of colleagues and managers. “These outstanding leaders,” she said, “will always be behind you.”

Following remarks, graduates received their certificates and awards. The first award was presented to the team that earned the most points during the program through participation and achievement.

Lucas talking to the group

The second award honored the 2025 Future Leaders valedictorian. The recognition, presented by last year’s honoree Dion, a core service specialist, was awarded to Lucas, a pediatric radiographer.

In his remarks, Lucas emphasized the importance of connecting with patients in any way you can. He recalled caring for a chemotherapy patient who spoke a different language, yet he communicated by giving the patient Spider-Man stickers, which he knew she liked. “While you may not be able to always make everything all better”, he concluded, “you can strive to connect with patients, making the time you spend with them more meaningful.”