Dr. Hedvig Hricak is Chairman of the Department of Radiology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). She is also a member of the Molecular Pharmacology Program at the Sloan Kettering Institute, and Professor at the Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. She is an international leader in the field of diagnostic radiology and advanced imaging. Dr Hricak’s research focuses on imaging of genitourinary and gynecological cancers, particularly the development of new imaging techniques and validation of imaging biomarkers derived from cross-sectional techniques.
Dr Hricak is a member of the National Academy of Medicine, formerly the Institute of Medicine, and has served on the National Institutes of Health, Board of Scientific Counselors, Scientific Advisory Board of the National Cancer Institute and the Advisory Council of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering. She has also served on the Nuclear Radiation Study Board (NASB) of the National Academy of Sciences
Dr Hricak is committed to training the next generation of cancer imaging researchers. She directs a number of international research fellowship programs that, through a competitive recruitment process, bring radiologists from all over the world to MSK for training in oncologic imaging, such as body imaging, breast imaging and interventional radiology.
As Co-Leader on the Training and Career Development Core of the U54 CCNY-MSKCC Partnership grant, Dr Hricak works with Dr. Karen Hubbard to continue to develop and expand training opportunities in a robust translational cancer research environment to attract and retain students (particularly minority and low-income students) interested in cancer research – to complete MD, PhD, DO, and MD/PhD programs and to pursue cancer-related research careers. These opportunities are enhanced by educational and training opportunities and increased mentorship and support.
Her overall goal is to help provide opportunities for students and trainees and to build the next generation of scientists. One of her proudest accomplishments is the establishment in 2004 of an educational program Radiology: Giving Back to NYC for high school students from the New York City Department of Education public high schools. In 2013 the Council of the City of New York issued a proclamation citing Dr Hricak’s guidance and support for high school students stating that the 18th day of April in 2013 is Radiology/Science Careers Awareness & Exploration Day for High School Juniors. The overall goal of the program is to inspire and educate students and teachers about careers in healthcare with a focus on STEM careers. The Partnership supports summer internships in STEM for the five high school students who won the competition