Imaging Informatics

The Imaging Informatics Division supports the operations of the Emory Department of Radiology and Imaging Services by ensuring that patient images and clinical information are readily available to physicians. The division also is responsible for implementing, supporting, and enhancing systems that the department utilizes not only in clinical practice, but in research and education as well.

Our imaging informatics team is committed to providing solutions to ensure efficient, safe, and innovative solutions for providers as they diagnose and treat their patients. Our multidisciplinary team includes technologists, administrators, IT professionals, researchers, and physicians. Members of the team are active in their own diverse research and development efforts including quality, patient safety, image processing, machine language processing and patient engagement. We welcome collaboration across Emory Healthcare and with external partners and stakeholders. 

- Nabile Safdar, MD, MPH
Vice Chair for Imaging Informatics

• GE PACS
• PowerScribe
• RadNet
• LifeImage
• PerformanceBridge
• TeraRecon
• Osirix

Imaging Informatics Fellowship

The division offers a one-year imaging informatics fellowship for physicians interested in developing their interests and skills in imaging informatics.

This fellowship, with both clinical and non-clinical components, provides requisite skills and knowledge for the trainee to lead in operations, innovation, quality, and research related to imaging informatics. Fellows will participate in an ongoing curriculum covering technical, research, leadership, and management topics. Each fellow will be engaged in year-long academic projects, choose areas of interest for elective study, and be embedded in operational technology-related projects. Acceptance will be contingent on acceptance to a clinical subspecialty area. Applicants must be ABR Board-certified or eligible, complete a residency program in the US or Canada, and be eligible to obtain an unrestricted Georgia medical license.

Please contact Program Coordinator Denise Fennell at dfennel@emory.edu for further information.

I3T - Integrated Imaging Informatics Track

I3T residents will learn skills needed to improve the quality and efficiency of imaging services while supporting clinical, educational, and research efforts through the use of information technology. The I3T trainees will act as the liaisons between our Diagnostic Radiology (DR) and/or Interventional Radiology (IR) Residency programs and the Division of Imaging Informatics. The priority for informatics trainee projects would be to improve residency training using innovative information technology solutions while acquiring hands-on experience in the field of imaging informatics.

Please contact Patricia Balthazar at patricia.balthazar@emory.edu for further information.

Administrator of Clinic Operations

Willie joined Emory in 2001 as an enterprise solutions architect supporting various enterprise IT solutions. He received his bachelor of science in business administration from the University of Florida and went on to obtain a master's degree in business administration from Shorter University. As administrator in the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, he is responsible for planning, overseeing, and directing day-to-day operations of Radiology’s physician practice. Willie also is involved with the Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine and the National Association of Health Services Executives.

Staff Scientist

Marijn has worked in image processing research for some time now, and spent most of that time working at Emory Radiology. He has witnessed imaging informatics evolve from ancillary nuisance, to be ignored by serious radiologists, into the ubiquitous wrapper around almost all tasks performed today in radiology. He believes both of these perspectives are important in the inevitable push forward. He is currently spending part of his time developing informatics solutions for researchers, including for the challenge of rapidly escalating image access needs in the era of machine learning. He earned both his MBA and PhD in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech.

Imaging Workflow Administrator

Brenda Hall joined Emory Radiology in 2004 as a sonographer at Winship Cancer Institute, a National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center at Emory University. She moved to Emory University Hospital Midtown as the supervisor of ultrasound in 2012 and then joined the Imaging Informatics team as an imaging workflow administrator in 2015. Brenda enjoys solving problems and supporting our users, whether it’s a technologist, radiologist, or imaging workflow specialist, and being at the forefront of new technologies that will enhance services to our patients. As an imaging technologist, Brenda holds certifications in radiography, ultrasound, and vascular ultrasound.

Peter Harri, MD

Assistant Professor

Dr. Harri is the clinical lead for imaging informatics at Emory University Hospital, an assistant professor of radiology in the Abdominal Imaging Division, and has been part of Emory since 2002. His interests include the operationalization of technology in healthcare and the integration of radiology informatics within the entire healthcare enterprise. Dr. Harri also is an active member of Society of Imaging Informatics in Medicine and the faculty lead for the Integrated Imaging Informatics Track and Imaging Informatics Fellowship.

Department Systems Specialist

Jason leverages his IT experience to provide technical advice on new and upcoming projects. He is a key point of contact for special radiology applications. From the beginning of his career at Emory Healthcare, he has been part of the Imaging Informatics team. Building on his bachelor's degree in communications and IT, Jason currently is pursuing his master's degree in health informatics from Mercer University. Jason loves to travel, especially trying different and unique cuisine. He cherishes his free time with his wife and children.

Director of Technology and Innovation

Starla leverages technology and teamwork to improve patient, family, and staff experiences. At the enterprise level, Starla brings cutting-edge applications and creative thinking to both Emory Radiology and Emory Healthcare. Her overall focus is on integrating and incorporating elements of quality, safety, and performance improvement to enhance access, efficiency, and patient care. She additionally works to ensure that governmental compliance and financial return are supported through technology and workflow optimization. An Emory employee since 2009, Starla has served as an enterprise solution architect for Emory Information Services. She is an AART certified radiologic technologist with a bachelor's degree in marketing and an MBA from Strayer University. She is involved with SIIM and was the 2017 Global Ambassador for RAD-AID International. She continues to work with global health efforts to improve radiology services to emerging and underserved areas of the world.  

Business Analyst

During her time at Emory, Mercy has been most excited to be part of the Imaging Informatics team. Mercy graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgia State University with a bachelor's degree in health informatics and also holds a certificate for National Imaging Informatics Course Completion (NIICC). Mercy believes that technology can be leveraged to improve the efficiency, accuracy, usability, and reliability of medical imaging services within the healthcare enterprise. In her spare time, she enjoys taking long walks and cooking for her family. 

Adam Prater, MD

Assistant Professor

Dr. Prater is the imaging informatics director at Grady Hospital, an assistant professor of radiology in the Division of Emergency and Trauma Imaging and has been part of Emory since 2005. His research interests include stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhage, as well as the practical applications of technology in healthcare. Dr. Prater also is an active member of the Society of Imaging Informatics in Medicine and American College of Radiology, as well as an associate editor of the Journal of Digital Imaging.

Imaging Workflow Administrator

Steve began his career at Emory as a radiological and CT technologist. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in medical imaging and holds a certificate in imaging informatics from Clarkson College. He believes that imaging informatics is a changing technological field and continues to improve patients’ lives every day. He has a passion for systems integration and has been supporting Emory’s RIS and PACS system users for eight years now. He appreciates the great opportunity to help radiologists and technologists with their workflow needs.