Appointment of Joshua Hirsch, MD, as chair of the Department of Radiology

The Keck School of Medicine of USC has appointed Joshua A. Hirsch, MD, as chair of the Department of Radiology. He will also be nominated as the holder of the Stewart Dale Fordham, MD, Chair in Radiology at the Keck School of Medicine. Dr. Hirsch was selected from an impressive cohort of candidates in a comprehensive national search. He brings nationally recognized leadership across academic radiology, neurointervention, health policy, quality, and multidisciplinary clinical operations. 

“Dr. Hirsch, who joins us from Harvard Medical School, is a highly collaborative leader who has a track record of strengthening quality and safety, improving operational performance, and aligning clinical services with institutional priorities.”

~ Carolyn Meltzer, MD, dean of the Keck School of Medicine

Dr. Hirsch brings extensive leadership and scientific experience, having achieved sustained scholarly impact across clinical, translational, and health policy domains. As Chair, he will advance clinical excellence, interdisciplinary imaging research, and a strong education mission. Known for collaborative and people-centered leadership, Dr. Hirsch is committed to building a culture in which faculty, trainees, and staff excel.

“Dr. Hirsch brings extensive scientific experience and academic expertise, having authored more than 650 peer-reviewed publications.”

~ Carolyn Meltzer, MD, dean of the Keck School of Medicine

Dr. Hirsch joins the Keck School from the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) with an academic appointment as Professor of Radiology at Harvard Medical School. He has held numerous institutional leadership roles, including Director of NeuroInterventional Radiology, Chief of the Interventional Spine Service, Associate Department Quality Chair, and Vice Chair of Procedural Services. During his tenure at MGH, he led program integration and operational redesign initiatives across a large complex radiology enterprise. He is particularly recognized for advancing interdisciplinary collaboration across radiology, stroke care, spine intervention, and procedural services. Dr. Hirsch currently chairs the Future Trends Committee of the American College of Radiology, serves as a senior affiliate research fellow of the Neiman Health Policy Institute, and is a Fellow of five professional societies.

Throughout his career, Dr. Hirsch has been deeply committed to mentorship, faculty development, and creating collaborative cultures in which people thrive. He has trained and sponsored numerous fellows and early-career faculty who now hold leadership positions across the United States and internationally.

A widely recognized leader in the field of radiology, Dr. Hirsch has served in numerous national and international roles, including president of the American Society of Spine Radiology, the Society of Neurointerventional Surgery, and the American Society of Neuroradiology. He is a Deputy Editor of the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery. His work has been recognized through numerous honors and awards from organizations as diverse as the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology, the American Society of Spine Radiology, the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, and the European Society of Neuroradiology.  Most recently, Dr. Hirsch was selected to deliver the “Luminary Lecture” at the SNIS annual meeting, an honor recognizing distinguished accomplishments and leadership in the field. 

Dr. Hirsch earned his MD degree at the University of Pennsylvania and completed his radiology residency and neuroradiology fellowship at the same institution before pursuing a second fellowship in interventional neuroradiology at the Lahey Clinic.

Learn more about how the Department of Radiology advances patient care, training, and research.