CURRICULUM VITAE
Dr. SONAL ARJUNA, MD (USA), MBBS
Contact: +971-56-4269223/ +91-8447-730868; sonalarjuna@gmail.com
American board of Radiology (ABR), Consultant Radiologist
Offering 20+ years of experience in Medical & Healthcare Industry
Most recent place of work: Sheikh Khalifa General Hospital, UAE
Previous: American Hospital, Dubai
Availability: Sept 2021 (full-time/part-time)
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Clinical scope of service:
• Diagnostic Radiology
• GI/GU imaging
• CT and MRI Angiogram imaging
• General and Vascular Ultrasound imaging
• Emergency Radiology
• Women’s imaging and breast imaging- Breast imaging including screening and diagnostic digital mammograms, breast USG and Breast MRI.
• Gynecological imaging- female pelvis ultrasound and MRI, Women wellness packages, and fluoroscopic hysterosalpingograms.
• Thoracic and Cardiac imaging
• Oncologic imaging
• ENT imaging
• Fluoroscopy services
• General radiology
• Neuroradiology
• MSK radiology
Special interest: Women’s Imaging and breast imaging
Additional skills:
• Quality improvement skills and business development programs.
• Invited panellist for Dubai Health Authority (DHA) assessment of consultant level candidates.
• Associate editor for Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging (IJRI) -invited peer-review editor for IJRI.
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
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Radiology Fellowship, Women’s Imaging, July 2011- June 2012
Columbia University Medical Center, New York, USA
American board of Radiology, New York, USA.
Radiology Residency, American board of Radiology July 2008- June 2011
Lenox Hill Hospital, Northwell Health, New York, USA
Diagnostic Radiology, American board of Radiology July 2007- June 2008
University of Florida College of Medicine, Florida, USA
Nuclear medicine -Joint Program in Nuclear Medicine July 2006- June 2007
Brigham & Women’s Hospital,
Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
Transitional Year-Internal Medicine, USA July 2005- June 2006
Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network
Pennsylvania State University, PA , USA
Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates August 2003- June 2005
(ECFMG), USMLE part I, II and III, USA.
Diagnostic Radiology August 2000- July 2003
KEM Hospital, Pune-India
Medical education MBBS October 1994- Dec 2000
Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals,
University of Mumbai, India.
RELEVANT QUALIFICATIONS ________________________________________
• American Board of Radiology diplomate-MD, ABR (2011)
• DHA licence
• Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) previous licence along with experience letter and good standing letter.
• Awaiting HAAD licence in Abu Dhabi.
• BLS certified (2020)
• Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) USA Certified (2005)
• Member- American College of Radiology (ACR) member, Radiological Society Of North American (RSNA), American Roentgen Ray Society, American Society of Emergency Radiology,
• Recent training- Online Radiopaedia Radiology course July 19-23, 2021. Virtual meeting showcasing current trends in Radiology
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PERSONAL PROFILE Name : Sonal Arjuna
Sex : Female
Date of Birth : 4th July, 1976
Previous Licence No : USA New York (NY) state medical license-003756
Immune Status : Immunized to Hepatitis B, Rubella, HIN1, & TB.
CAREER PROFILE
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CURRENT APPOINTMENT:
Sheikh Khalifa General Hospital Umm Al Quwain
Since: November 2020-May 2021.
Title: Consultant Radiologist
I work within a group of Radiologists, as a consultant radiologist, delivering patient focussed reports for all modalities, including CT, MRI, US, Women’s imaging & Mammography, breast MRI, General Radiology, and fluoroscopy. Provide quality reports for on-call and trauma imaging.
SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Highest and consistent turn-around-time reports (TAT), >95%.
• Quality and image improvement lead for multiple areas in Radiology department.
• In-charge of Mammography improvement program, improving image quality along with business development plans.
• Using innovative approach we reduced patient wait times for mammogram and US to less than a week from previous wait time of over a month.
• Integrated seamless homogenous ultrasound image acquisition workflow for technologists for abdomen and thyroid along with breast scans.
• Initiated standardized templates for US reporting in conjunction with colleagues.
• Participated in acquiring US machines for the department.
SCOPE OF SERVICES:
• General Radiology services
• Women’s imaging- Mammogram and US, breast MRI, wellness packages, CT and plain films.
• Gynecological imaging- CT, US, MRI, MRA Pelvis, women hysterosalpingograms
• Abdominal and genitourinary imaging- CT, US, MRI
• Trauma and acute stroke CT scans
• Abdominal and body imaging- CT, US, MRI.
• Fluoroscopy imaging- general barium procedures in addition to hysterosalpingograms
• Thoracic and Cardiac imaging- CT, CT angiograms, US, MRI
• Neuroimaging- CT, MRI, contrast enhanced studies
• Vascular Imaging – CT angiograms, MRI angiograms, US carotid Doppler
• Pediatric imaging- plain films, US, CT, MRI
• MSK radiology
PREVIOUS APPOINTMENT
American Hospital – Dubai.
September 2014-Sept 2020.
Title: Consultant Radiologist
Worked as a consultant radiologist delivering reports for all modalities, including CT, MRI, US, General Radiology, and fluoroscopy. I also was lead for quality improvement and business development programs.
SPECIAL INTEREST:
-Women’s imaging:
• Lead for outside gynaecological referrals for breast mammogram/US imaging with pelvic scans.
• All female pelvis imaging including US , MRI, MR angiograms, CT and plain films.
• Gynecology and Obstetric imaging.
• Perform fluoroscopic hysterosalpingograms routinely.
• Gynecological oncology imaging.
• Women wellness packages- breast mammogram, breast US, breast MRI in addition to whole body wellness scan packages.
-Breast imaging:
In addition to above services, I along with my colleague, formed 1-in-2 rota to deliver breast imaging services at Breast Clinic Unit (under Surgical and Oncology Department), one of busiest cancer care departments in UAE.
• Deliver high quality reports and management in diagnostic and screening population, in digital mammogram with tomosynthesis, breast US and Breast MRI.
• Provided one stop shop for surgeons and patients, by delivering same day written reports, US guided core biopsies with clip placement, US guided breast procedures and stereotactic guided core biopsies in breast clinic.
• Routinely provided second opinions, some of which alleviated anxiety and fear in patients and care givers, while others were successfully integrated into appropriate clinical management by in-house surgeons.
SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS:
• One of highest and consistent >95% Turn-around –time (TAT) report time for studies.
• Comprehensive radiology reports with nearly no revenue loss from insurance payers in past 6 years.
• Invited by Dubai Health Authority (DHA) as interview panellist for licensing consultant level candidates.
• Initiated international standard diagnostic mammogram image acquisition protocols, based on American College of Radiology standards. This directly reduced patient-call back rates, an important quality measure for department along with alleviating patient anxiety for repeat mammogram.
• Significant role in improving and homogenizing US image acquisition workflow to reduce human errors. This initiative helped department gain first ever outside United States (USA), centre of Ultrasound excellence of “American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine” (AIUM) accreditation.
• Lead weekly tumour board MDT meetings on rotational basis.
• I have lead various projects in quality improvement and training, and managed medical personnel including technologist in managerial position.
• Involved in expanding scope of service and business development program (low dose CT chest screening & whole body MRI)
• High quality reports yielding consistent patient and referral high satisfaction levels.
• Active participation in department quality assurance and improvement programs.
• Prepare weekly rota for radiologists’ daily duties and on-call rota.
PREVIOUS APPOINTMENT
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Fortis Memorial Research Hospital, Gurgaon, India.
Title: Consultant Radiologist
Dates: August 2012- August 2014
SCOPE OF SERVICE
• Extensive experience in reporting cross-sectional CT, MRI, ultrasound, and plain films.
• Special focus on women’s and breast imaging. Delivered breast service for the hospital.
• Part of research projects, and image quality and improvement programs.
SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Initial lead in Women Wellness packages programs, setting up departmental protocol for reporting and image acquisition in US and mammograms. Performed all fluoroscopy hysterosalpingograms for the hospital. Helped set up high quality image acquisition algorithms for CT/MRI and US improving image quality.
• Interest in research projects, with successful acceptance of abstracts at international level. Invited guest speaker on Women’s imaging at annual symposium.
Columbia University Medical Center, New York, USA
Title: Assistant in Clinical Radiology & Postdoctoral Clinical Fellow
Dates: July 2011- June 2012.
SCOPE OF SERVICE
• Women’s Imaging-MR, CT, and PET/CT, oncologic imaging.
• Abdominal Imaging- CT, MR, PET/CT. Ultrasound-High volume liver transplant centre. General, Vascular, Thyroid.
• Fetal MRI imaging-Monitored and reported fetal MRI.
• On call consultant Radiologist, supervised resident’s reports.
• Mammography- mammograms, breast MRI, 2nd opinions, & procedures.
SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Participation in resident training, mentored and tutored radiology residents during rotations.
• Provided fetal MRI imaging, one of few centres in world to perform the same.
• Significant contributor to inter-departmental research projects between Radiology, Obstetric and Fetal Medicine, and Surgery on fetal MRI studies.
SPECIAL SKILLS
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Managerial & People skills:
• Over my past 15 years, vast experience of working with colleagues from different cultural backgrounds and skill sets, which I have successfully applied to manage team of technologists, for continual quality improvement programs in my department.
• Participated in business expansion services in department, liaising with technicians and physicians on weekly basis to expand departmental scope of service.
• Served as chief resident during my residency in New York, in-charge of nearly 20 residents, and managed their monthly rotations, on call schedules and leaves. I effectively set up central online systems for easy and convenient access for seamless communication.
• Chaired decision management group (grievances and disciplinary committee).
Innovations:
• Trained and developed standardized image acquisition protocols at multiple sites of work, especially in ultrasound/breast imaging/ in addition to CT and MRI imaging protocols.
• Reduced patient waiting times for scans by innovate ideas and practices.
• Positively impacted department and patient care and satisfaction by reducing human error rates, alleviated patient anxiety, while positively impacting department revenue.
Business development:
• Scouting and initiating new scope of services using current skill sets and infrastructure of department.
• For example involved in setting up low dose CT and whole body MRI screening scope of service.
Teaching:
• Associate editor at IJRI, Invited peer-reviewer for Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging since 2018.
• Active interest in teaching with vast experience in resident training programmes in United States (Columbia University Medical Centre, New York), holding weekly case conferences and monthly didactic lectures.
• Associated with visiting medical students and radiographers, who shadow daily radiology imaging work and MDT conferences.
OTHER RELEVANT POSTS
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HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL July 2006 – June 2007
Joint Program in Nuclear Medicine
PET/CT in addition to general Nuclear medicine scans.
OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE
California Department of Health Services, USA 10/2004- 02/2005
Cancer Detection Section, Research -Intern
Collected and analysed data for clinical policy and quality unit for ‘Every Woman counts’ program with focus on breast and cervical cancer in California. Participated in public education outreach programs.
NYU School of Medicine, Bellevue Hospital, NY, USA 06/2004-08/04
Center for Immigrant Health. Intern.
Worked on program on oral cancer awareness in south Asian population. Analyzed data from screening and focus groups in New York to determine socio- economic context and attitudes for consumption of risk factors for oral cancer.
________________________________________GRADUATE EDUCATION 08/2003-12/2005
• Masters in Health Administration, California State University, USA.
• Received international peace scholarship,P.E.O., Des Moines, Iowa.
PUBLICATIONS/PRESENTATIONS
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-European Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine and Biology, October 2013.Diffusion-weighted imaging to assess bone marrow diffusivity in the axial and appendicular bone marrow across life span. Abstract
-American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine Annual Convention and Preconvention Program. March 2012.“Test performance of MRI for the diagnosis of placenta accreta”.Amber Samuel MD, Sonal Arjuna MD, Russell Miller, MD, Patricia Devine MD, Sherelle Laifer-Narin MD.Abstract
-American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine Annual Convention and Preconvention Program, March 2012 “Indications for fetal MRI” .Amber Samuel MD, Sherelle Laifer-Narin MD, Sonal Arjuna MD, Lynn Simpson MD, Russell Miller MD.Abstract
-Indian Radiological And Imaging Association, Vol 1, "Compression Doppler Analysis of anterior cerebral artery of normal and abnormal infant brains", Sonal Arjuna, Abhijit Chury, SatishPande, VS Kinare, DD Shetty, Publication Date: 01 / 2003, Volume: 1, Pages: 1.
Educational exhibit/Posters:
-Fetal MRI of Bronchopulmonary Pathology.Radiological Society of North America. 97th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting(RSNA). November 2011.
-Fetal MRI of Chest Masses. Educational poster.21st World Congress on Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. September 2011.
-Fetal MRI of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: A Pictorial Review.21st World Congress on Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. September 2011
-Oral presentation (Invited speaker) : Advanced MR Imaging in Endometriosis. Symposium on Advanced MR application in Neuro, MSK and Body imaging. Gurgaon, India, 21-23rd Feb 2014.
-First author manuscripts:-Stomach volumetry: A measure to predict outcome in left congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Arjuna, Sonal, MD,Aspelund, Gudrun, MD, MPH, Farkouh, Christiana, MD, MPH, Simpson, Lynn L, MD, Prince Martin R, MD, Ph.D., FACR, Laifer-Narin, Sherelle, MD ( close to submission)
INTERESTS:
Spending time with family, cooking, yoga & meditation.
RERENCES Furnished upon request.