Earlier this month, the Department of Radiology hosted its Third Annual Thomas A. Powers Lead Ceremony.
Eight diagnostic radiology residents and the country’s first interventional radiology resident were formally welcomed to the department and presented with custom-fitted lead in various colors and patterns by Department Chair Reed Omary, M.D., M.S., Residency Program Director Edwin Donnelly, M.D., Ph.D., and the ceremony’s namesake, former body imaging section chief and longtime Vanderbilt Radiology nighthawk, Dr. Powers.
“The lead ceremony made us all feel even more welcomed and included than we already do,” added Cara Connolly, M.D. “It was such a privilege to be given our own personalized lead by the program and know they are committed to investing in our future.”
Similar to the tradition of a white coat ceremony to mark the beginning of medical school, the lead ceremony has, for years, marked the official start of radiology residency at Vanderbilt.
“It highlights what a tremendous opportunity is to train and become part of the Vanderbilt Radiology family,” said first-year Diagnostic Radiology resident Kevin Taylor, M.D. “From the impressive introductions to the interesting anecdotes and even the lead pattern choices made by my fellow residents, the lead ceremony provided for a wonderful, warm and humorous experience.”
“We’re so proud of the outstanding group of new residents who are starting in our program this year,” added Ed Donnelly, M.D. Ph.D., Associate Professor of Radiology and Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program Director. “It was great to be able to honor them in this ceremony as they begin this next step in their career pathway.”
