Rifat Wahab, D.O.

Associate Professor
Radiology & Radiological Sciences

Rifat Wahab, DO, is an Associate Professor of Breast Imaging at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. 

Dr. Wahab graduated from Michigan State University of College of Osteopathic Medicine in East Lansing, MI, in 2009. She completed her internship in 2010 at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital- Warren Campus in Warren, MI. In 2014, she completed her diagnostic radiology residency training at Henry Ford Health System- Michigan State University Consortium in Detroit, MI. She served as chief resident from 2012-2014. In 2015, she completed a fellowship in women’s imaging at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. 

Dr. Wahab has a strong interest in education serving as a prior Fellowship Director for Breast Imaging and Founder of the Breast Imaging Fellowship Consortium. Her research has been presented at national conferences such as American Roentgen Ray Society, American Osteopathic College of Radiology, and Society of Breast Imaging. She has presented multiple national lectures on breast imaging over the years and served as Program Chair of the 2021 AOCR CME Conference, Multi-Modality Screening of the Breast. 

She has published 40 journal articles and book chapters in women’s imaging. She serves on national committees regarding medical education. She is the past social media editor for the Journal of Breast Imaging. In 2017, She was recognized as a “Rising Star” by Venue Magazine in Cincinnati Oh. In Dec. 2021, she was accepted as a Fellow of Society of Breast Imaging. In 2022, she was accepted as the fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Radiology. Dr. Wahab serves as a board member for the American College of Osteopathic Radiology. 

Diversity, equity and inclusion are very important to Dr. Wahab. Her passion for community outreach and tackling health care disparities began in medical school where she successfully created an annual health screening program for a large refugee population in East Lansing, Michigan. This dedication to engage with her community continues today. She has created a voice in the community through news media, articles, and presentations to raise awareness about breast health and breast cancer particularly in African American and Latina women. She finds that discussions in situations where women and men feel comfortable such as on Black radio or health fairs, develops connections with individuals in a different manner. At the University level, she is a member of the anti-racism task force and working toward creating an equitable work environment. At a national level, she the co-chair of the Society of Breast Imaging Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Alliance (IDEA) where she shares her traditional and non-traditional methods of community interaction and outreach. Due to her passion and commitment to DEI, she was selected to serve as a member of the DEI strategic planning team for the Society of Breast Imaging.

Section: Community Radiology

Publications

Wahab R, Lee SJ, Zhang B, Sobel L, Mahoney M, A comparison of full-field digital mammograms versus 2D synthesized mammograms for detection of microcalcifications on screening. European Journal of Radiology. Oct. 2018 (107) 14-19. 

Lee SJ, Saidian L, Wahab R, Khan S, Mahoney MC. The evolving imaging features of lupus mastitis. Breast J. 2019; 25(4): 753-754 

Wahab RA, Brown A, Lee SJ, Zhang B, Sobel L, Mahoney MC. Screening Mammogram Results in the Digital Age: Video Messaging - A Pilot Study. Acad Radiol. 2021 Apr;28(4):487-494. doi: 10.1016/j.acra.2020.01.011. Epub 2020 Mar 6. PMID: 32151537. 

Ali A, Wahab RA, Huynh J, Wake N, Mahoney M. Imaging properties of 3D printed breast phantoms for lesion localization and Core needle biopsy training. 3D Print Med. 2020 Feb 18;6(1):4. doi:10.1186/s41205-020-00058-5. PMID: 32072305; PMCID: PMC7027021. 

Wahab RA, Lewis K, Vijapura C, Zhang B, Lee SJ, Brown AL, Mahoney M. Textural Characteristics of Biopsy-proven Metastatic Axillary Nodes on Preoperative Breast MRI in Breast Cancer Patients: A Feasibility Study, Journal of Breast Imaging, Jul 4 2020 wbaa038, https://doi.org/10.1093/jbi/wbaa038 

Brown AL, Wahab RA. MRI of Primary Angiosarcoma of the Breast. Radiology. 2020 Oct;297(1):31-31.https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2020201377 

Kieturakis AJ, Wahab RA*, Vijapura C, Mahoney MC. Current Recommendations for Breast Imaging of the Pregnant and Lactating Patient. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2021 Jun;216(6):1462-1475. doi: 10.2214/AJR.20.23905. 

Lyons D, Wahab RA*, Vijapura C, Mahoney MC. The nipple-areolar complex: comprehensive imaging review. Clin Radiol. 2021 Mar;76(3):172-184. doi: 10.1016/j.crad.2020.09.013. Epub 2020 Oct 17. PMID: 33077158. 

Wahab RA, Lee SJ, Mulligan ME, Zhang B, Mahoney MC. Upgrade Rate of Pure Flat Epithelial Atypia Diagnosed at Core Needle Biopsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Radiol Imaging Cancer. 2021 Jan 22;3(1):e200116. doi: 10.1148/rycan.2021200116. PMID: 33778758; PMCID: PMC7983762. 

Brown AL, Wahab RA, Zhang B, Smetherman DH, Mahoney MC. Reporting and Perceptions of Breast Arterial Calcification on Mammography: A Survey of ACR Radiologists. Acad Radiol. 2021 Feb 17:S1076-6332(21)00036-2. doi: 10.1016/j.acra.2021.01.027. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33610451. 

Brown AL, Jeong J, Wahab RA, Zhang B, Mahoney MC. Diagnostic accuracy of MRI textural analysis in the classification of breast tumors. Clinical Imaging. 2021 Sep 1;77:86-91.doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2021.02.031. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33652269. 

Wahab RA, Albasha H, Martin J, Lee SJ, Zhang B, Brown AL, Vijapura C, Lewis K, Sobel LD, Mahoney MC. Characterization of common breast MRI abnormalities: comparison between abbreviated and full MRI protocols. Clinical Imaging. 2021 Nov 1;79:125-32.. 

Lee S, Wahab RA, Sobel LD, Zhang B, Brown AL, Lewis K, Vijapura C, Mahoney MC. Analysis of 612 Benign Papillomas Diagnosed At Core Biopsy: Rate of Upgrade to Malignancy, Factors Associated with Upgrade, and A Proposal For Selective Surgical Excision. AJR 2021 May 19 [published online]. Accepted manuscript. doi:10.2214/AJR.21.25832 

Wahab RA, Chan M, Vijapura C, Brown AL, Asghar E, Frazee-Katz C, Mahoney MC, Intimate Partner Violence and the Role of Breast Imaging Centers, Journal of Breast Imaging, Volume 3, Issue 4, July/August 2021, Pages 482–490.

Vijapura CA, Wahab RA, Thakore AG, Mahoney MC. Upright Tomosynthesis-guided Breast Biopsy:Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting. Radiographics. 2021 Sep-Oct;41(5):1265-1282. doi:10.1148/rg.2021210017. Epub 2021 Aug 6. PMID: 34357806. 

Swy E, Wahab R, Mahoney M, Vijapura C. Multimodality imaging review of breast vascular lesions. Clin Radiol. 2022 Apr;77(4):255-263. doi: 10.1016/j.crad.2021.11.014. Epub 2021 Dec 25. PMID: 34961615. 

Wahab S, Wahab RA, Butcher B, Brown AL, Lecky S, Washburn E, Allen B, Vogel C, Mahoney M, Vagal A. Developing Educational Materials to Improve CT and MRI Patient Experience: Using a Human-Centered Design Approach. Accepted Manuscript. JACR. 12/2021 

Wahab RA, Brown A, Vijapura C, Mahoney MC. “Managing Up”: Cultivating Relationships with Practice Leaders, Journal of Breast Imaging, Volume 4, Issue 2, March/April 2022, Pages 192 - 201, https://doi.org/10.1093/jbi/wbab097. 

Vijapura C, Wahab RA. Multiple Venous Malformations Involving the Breast. Journal of Breast Imaging, Volume 4, Issue 5, September/October 2022, Pages 550–552, https://doi.org/10.1093/jbi/wbab098 

Vijapura C, Rosen L, Mahoney MC, Wahab RA. Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Breast: Radiologic- Pathologic Correlation. Journal of Breast Imaging, Volume 4, Issue 6, November/December 2022, Pages 625–631, https://doi.org/10.1093/jbi/wbac045 

Shaughnessy, E, Vijapura, C, Reyna, C, Lewis J, Lewis K, Lee SJ, Sobel L, Wahab R, Rosen L, Brown A. Exploiting the advantages of a wireless seed localization system that differentiates between the seeds: Breast cancer resection following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Cancer Reports. 2022; e1690. doi:10.1002/cnr2.1690 

Feliciano-Rivera YZ, Net J, Sanchez P, Wahab RA, Mehta T, Yepes MM. Culturally competent care in the breast imaging clinic: Hispanic/Latino patients. Journal of Breast Imaging. 2023 Mar;5(2):188-94. 

Wahab RA, Oluyemi E, Jackson T, Feliciano-Rivera YZ, Roubidoux M, Zhang B, Mehta TS. A Needs Assessment for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity: Survey Results of the Society of Breast Imaging. Journal of Breast Imaging. 2023 Jan 10. 

Wahab RA, Patel M, McLaughlin C, Kulkarni K, Nair B, Mullen L, Vijapura C. Breast Imaging Fellowship Consortium: developing a comprehensive virtual educational platform for breast imaging fellows. Journal of Breast Imaging. 2023 Mar;5(2):203-8. 

Spalluto LB, Bonnet K, Sonubi C, Ernst LL, Wahab R, Reid SA, Agrawal P, Gregory K, Davis KM, Lewis JA, Berardi E. Barriers to implementation of breast cancer risk assessment: the health care team perspective. Journal of the American College of Radiology. 2023 Mar 1;20(3):342-51. V

ijapura C, Tobler J, Wahab RA, Smith ML, Brown A, Pickle S, Stryker SD, Spalluto L, England E, Kanfi A. Resident Attitudes and Experiences with a Novel Radiology-Based Transgender Curriculum: A Qualitative Study. Academic Radiology. 2023 Mar 11. 

Spalluto LB, Bonnet K, Sonubi C, Reid SA, Lewis JA, Ernst LL, Davis KM, Wahab R, Agrawal P, D’Agostino C, Gregory K. Black women’s perspectives on breast cancer risk assessment. Journal of the American College of Radiology. 2023 Mar 1;20(3):314-23. 

Mehta TS, Thompson J, Applegate JM, Wahab RA. Cultural Competence in the Care of LGBTQ+ Patients: A Primer for Breast/Chest Centers. Journal of Breast Imaging. 2023 Mar 11:wbad012. 

Albasha H, Vijapura C, Brown A, Lewis K, Mahoney M, Wahab R. Beyond Breast Cancer: Chest Wall Masses at Breast Imaging. RadioGraphics. 2023 Apr 20;43(5):e220091. 

Hefelfinger L, Doherty A, Wahab R, Rosen L, Shaughnessy EA, Lewis JD. Evaluation of the SmartClip™ Nonradioactive Seed, a Novel Wireless Localization Method for the Breast: Initial Clinical Experience and Surgical Outcome. The American Surgeon™. 2023 Sep 25:00031348231199171. 

Li J, Wahab R, Brown AL, Guarnieri B, Lewis K, Mahoney MC, Vijapura C. Extramammary Metastases to the Breast. RadioGraphics. 2023 Sep 14;43(10):e230036. 

Brown AL, Vijapura C, Patel M, De La Cruz A, Wahab R. Breast Cancer in Dense Breasts: Detection Challenges and Supplemental Screening Opportunities. RadioGraphics. 2023 Oct 4;43(10):e230024. 

Jackson T, Wahab RA, Bankston K, Mehta TS. Raising Cultural Awareness and Addressing Barriers to Breast Imaging Care for Black Women. Journal of Breast Imaging. 2023 Dec 23:wbad091.

Chadalavada SC, Roebker JA, Brown A, Tobler JJ, Wahab SA, Kapur S, Wahab RA, Mahoney M, Vagal A. Humanized Healthcare: Human-Centered Design in Screening Mammography. Journal of the American College of Radiology: JACR. 2024 Jan 6:S1546-1440. 

Feliciano-Rivera YZ, Yepes MM, Sanchez P, Kalambo M, Elahi F, Wahab RA, Jackson T, Mehta T, Net J. Appropriate use of medical interpreters in the breast imaging clinic. Journal of Breast Imaging. 2024 May 1;6(3):296-303. 

Sharma N, Mehta TS, Wahab RA, Patel MM. Facilitating Culturally Competent Breast Imaging Care in South Asian Patients. Journal of Breast Imaging. 2024 May 24 :wbae026.