Faculty Appointments
Associate Professor of Radiology & Radiological Sciences
Education
D.O., Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
Clinical Description
Rifat Wahab, DO, is an Associate Professor of Breast Imaging at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Dr. Wahab graduated from Michigan State University of College of Osteopathic Medicine in East Lansing, MI, in 2009. She completed her internship in 2010 at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital- Warren Campus in Warren, MI. In 2014, she completed her diagnostic radiology residency training at Henry Ford Health System- Michigan State University Consortium in Detroit, MI. She served as chief resident from 2012-2014. In 2015, she completed a fellowship in women’s imaging at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN.
Dr. Wahab has a strong interest in education serving as a prior Fellowship Director for Breast Imaging and Founder of the Breast Imaging Fellowship Consortium. Her research has been presented at national conferences such as American Roentgen Ray Society, American Osteopathic College of Radiology, and Society of Breast Imaging. She has presented multiple national lectures on breast imaging over the years and served as Program Chair of the 2021 AOCR CME Conference, Multi-Modality Screening of the Breast.
She has published 40 journal articles and book chapters in women’s imaging. She serves on national committees regarding medical education. She is the past social media editor for the Journal of Breast Imaging. In 2017, She was recognized as a “Rising Star” by Venue Magazine in Cincinnati Oh. In Dec. 2021, she was accepted as a Fellow of Society of Breast Imaging. In 2022, she was accepted as the fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Radiology. Dr. Wahab serves as a board member for the American College of Osteopathic Radiology.
Diversity, equity and inclusion are very important to Dr. Wahab. Her passion for community outreach and tackling health care disparities began in medical school where she successfully created an annual health screening program for a large refugee population in East Lansing, Michigan. This dedication to engage with her community continues today. She has created a voice in the community through news media, articles, and presentations to raise awareness about breast health and breast cancer particularly in African American and Latina women. She finds that discussions in situations where women and men feel comfortable such as on Black radio or health fairs, develops connections with individuals in a different manner. At the University level, she is a member of the anti-racism task force and working toward creating an equitable work environment. At a national level, she the co-chair of the Society of Breast Imaging Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Alliance (IDEA) where she shares her traditional and non-traditional methods of community interaction and outreach. Due to her passion and commitment to DEI, she was selected to serve as a member of the DEI strategic planning team for the Society of Breast Imaging.
Dr. Wahab graduated from Michigan State University of College of Osteopathic Medicine in East Lansing, MI, in 2009. She completed her internship in 2010 at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital- Warren Campus in Warren, MI. In 2014, she completed her diagnostic radiology residency training at Henry Ford Health System- Michigan State University Consortium in Detroit, MI. She served as chief resident from 2012-2014. In 2015, she completed a fellowship in women’s imaging at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN.
Dr. Wahab has a strong interest in education serving as a prior Fellowship Director for Breast Imaging and Founder of the Breast Imaging Fellowship Consortium. Her research has been presented at national conferences such as American Roentgen Ray Society, American Osteopathic College of Radiology, and Society of Breast Imaging. She has presented multiple national lectures on breast imaging over the years and served as Program Chair of the 2021 AOCR CME Conference, Multi-Modality Screening of the Breast.
She has published 40 journal articles and book chapters in women’s imaging. She serves on national committees regarding medical education. She is the past social media editor for the Journal of Breast Imaging. In 2017, She was recognized as a “Rising Star” by Venue Magazine in Cincinnati Oh. In Dec. 2021, she was accepted as a Fellow of Society of Breast Imaging. In 2022, she was accepted as the fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Radiology. Dr. Wahab serves as a board member for the American College of Osteopathic Radiology.
Diversity, equity and inclusion are very important to Dr. Wahab. Her passion for community outreach and tackling health care disparities began in medical school where she successfully created an annual health screening program for a large refugee population in East Lansing, Michigan. This dedication to engage with her community continues today. She has created a voice in the community through news media, articles, and presentations to raise awareness about breast health and breast cancer particularly in African American and Latina women. She finds that discussions in situations where women and men feel comfortable such as on Black radio or health fairs, develops connections with individuals in a different manner. At the University level, she is a member of the anti-racism task force and working toward creating an equitable work environment. At a national level, she the co-chair of the Society of Breast Imaging Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Alliance (IDEA) where she shares her traditional and non-traditional methods of community interaction and outreach. Due to her passion and commitment to DEI, she was selected to serve as a member of the DEI strategic planning team for the Society of Breast Imaging.
Publications
Chadalavada SC, Roebker JA, Brown A, Tobler JJ, Wahab SA, Kapur S, Wahab RA, Mahoney M, Vagal A. Humanized Health Care: Human-Centered Design in Screening Mammography. J Am Coll Radiol [print-electronic]. 2024 Jul; 21(7): 1145-8. PMID: 38185443, PII: S1546-1440(23)01029-3, DOI: 10.1016/j.jacr.2023.11.027, ISSN: 1558-349X.
Feliciano-Rivera YZ, Yepes MM, Sanchez P, Kalambo M, Elahi F, Wahab RA, Jackson T, Mehta T, Net J. Appropriate Use of Medical Interpreters in the Breast Imaging Clinic. J Breast Imaging. 2024 May 5/27/2024; 6(3): 296-303. PMID: 38267830, PII: 7588762, DOI: 10.1093/jbi/wbad109, ISSN: 2631-6129.
Sharma N, Mehta TS, Wahab RA, Patel MM. Facilitating Culturally Competent Breast Imaging Care in South Asian Patients. J Breast Imaging [print-electronic]. 2024 May 5/24/2024; PMID: 38787594, PII: 7681748, DOI: 10.1093/jbi/wbae026, ISSN: 2631-6129.
Jackson T, Wahab RA, Bankston K, Mehta TS. Raising Cultural Awareness and Addressing Barriers to Breast Imaging Care for Black Women. J Breast Imaging. 2024 Jan 1/19/2024; 6(1): 72-9. PMID: 38142231, PII: 7492841, DOI: 10.1093/jbi/wbad091, ISSN: 2631-6129.
Vijapura C, Tobler J, Wahab RA, Smith ML, Brown AL, Pickle S, Stryker SD, Spalluto LB, England E, Kanfi A. Resident Attitudes and Experiences with a Novel Radiology-based Transgender Curriculum: A Qualitative Study. Acad Radiol [print-electronic]. 2024 Jan; 31(1): 294-303. PMID: 36914502, PII: S1076-6332(23)00068-5, DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2023.02.011, ISSN: 1878-4046.
Mehta TS, Thompson J, Applegate JM, Wahab RA. Cultural Competence in the Care of LGBTQ+ Patients: A Primer for Breast/Chest Centers. J Breast Imaging. 2023 Jul 7/28/2023; 5(4): 473-9. PMID: 38416897, PII: 7076316, DOI: 10.1093/jbi/wbad012, ISSN: 2631-6129.
Wahab RA, Patel M, McLaughlin C, Kulkarni K, Nair B, Mullen L, Vijapura C. Breast Imaging Fellowship Consortium: Developing a Comprehensive Virtual Educational Platform for Breast Imaging Fellows. J Breast Imaging. 2023 Mar 3/20/2023; 5(2): 203-8. PMID: 38416929, PII: 7000433, DOI: 10.1093/jbi/wbac089, ISSN: 2631-6129.
Feliciano-Rivera YZ, Net J, Sanchez P, Wahab RA, Mehta T, Yepes MM. Culturally Competent Care in the Breast Imaging Clinic: Hispanic/Latino Patients. J Breast Imaging. 2023 Mar 3/20/2023; 5(2): 188-94. PMID: 38416924, PII: 6917109, DOI: 10.1093/jbi/wbac074, ISSN: 2631-6129.
Wahab RA, Oluyemi E, Jackson T, Feliciano-Rivera YZ, Roubidoux M, Zhang B, Mehta TS. A Needs Assessment for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity: Survey Results of the Society of Breast Imaging. J Breast Imaging. 2023 Feb 2/6/2023; 5(1): 56-66. PMID: 38416964, PII: 6982758, DOI: 10.1093/jbi/wbac070, ISSN: 2631-6129.
Lee SJ, Wahab RA, Sobel LD, Zhang B, Brown AL, Lewis K, Vijapura C, Mahoney MC. Analysis of 612 Benign Papillomas Diagnosed at Core Biopsy: Rate of Upgrade to Malignancy, Factors Associated With Upgrade, and a Proposal for Selective Surgical Excision. AJR Am J Roentgenol [print-electronic]. 2021 Dec; 217(6): 1299-311. PMID: 34008998, DOI: 10.2214/AJR.21.25832, ISSN: 1546-3141.
Wahab RA, Albasha H, Martin J, Lee SJ, Zhang B, Brown AL, Vijapura C, Lewis K, Sobel LD, Mahoney MC. Characterization of common breast MRI abnormalities: comparison between abbreviated and full MRI protocols. Clin Imaging [print-electronic]. 2021 Nov; 79: 125-32. PMID: 33940489, PII: S0899-7071(21)00174-1, DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2021.04.013, ISSN: 1873-4499.
Brown AL, Jeong J, Wahab RA, Zhang B, Mahoney MC. Diagnostic accuracy of MRI textural analysis in the classification of breast tumors. Clin Imaging [print-electronic]. 2021 Sep; 77: 86-91. PMID: 33652269, PII: S0899-7071(21)00087-5, DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2021.02.031, ISSN: 1873-4499.
Wahab RA, Chan M, Vijapura C, Brown AL, Asghar E, Frazee-Katz C, Mahoney MC. Intimate Partner Violence and the Role of Breast Imaging Centers. J Breast Imaging. 2021 Aug 8/12/2021; 3(4): 482-90. PMID: 38424794, PII: 6316200, DOI: 10.1093/jbi/wbab046, ISSN: 2631-6129.
Kieturakis AJ, Wahab RA, Vijapura C, Mahoney MC. Current Recommendations for Breast Imaging of the Pregnant and Lactating Patient. AJR Am J Roentgenol [print-electronic]. 2021 Jun; 216(6): 1462-75. PMID: 32755376, DOI: 10.2214/AJR.20.23905, ISSN: 1546-3141.
Wahab RA, Brown A, Lee SJ, Zhang B, Sobel L, Mahoney MC. Screening Mammogram Results in the Digital Age: Video Messaging - A Pilot Study. Acad Radiol [print-electronic]. 2021 Apr; 28(4): 487-94. PMID: 32151537, PII: S1076-6332(20)30038-6, DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2020.01.011, ISSN: 1878-4046.
Lyons D, Wahab RA, Vijapura C, Mahoney MC. The nipple-areolar complex: comprehensive imaging review. Clin Radiol [print-electronic]. 2021 Mar; 76(3): 172-84. PMID: 33077158, PII: S0009-9260(20)30405-0, DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2020.09.013, ISSN: 1365-229X.
Vijapura CA, Wahab RA, Thakore AG, Mahoney MC. Upright Tomosynthesis-guided Breast Biopsy: Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting. Radiographics [print-electronic]. 2021; 41(5): 1265-82. PMID: 34357806, DOI: 10.1148/rg.2021210017, ISSN: 1527-1323.
Wahab RA, Lee SJ, Mulligan ME, Zhang B, Mahoney MC. Upgrade Rate of Pure Flat Epithelial Atypia Diagnosed at Core Needle Biopsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Radiol Imaging Cancer. 2021 Jan; 3(1): e200116. PMID: 33778758, PMCID: PMC7983762, DOI: 10.1148/rycan.2021200116, ISSN: 2638-616X.
Brown AL, Wahab RA. MRI of Primary Angiosarcoma of the Breast. Radiology [print-electronic]. 2020 Oct; 297(1): 31. PMID: 32720871, DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2020201377, ISSN: 1527-1315.
Wahab RA, Lewis K, Vijapura C, Zhang B, Lee SJ, Brown A, Mahoney MC. Textural Characteristics of Biopsy-proven Metastatic Axillary Nodes on Preoperative Breast MRI in Breast Cancer Patients: A Feasibility Study. J Breast Imaging. 2020 Aug 8/10/2020; 2(4): 361-71. PMID: 38424965, PII: 5867347, DOI: 10.1093/jbi/wbaa038, ISSN: 2631-6129.
Lee SJ, Saidian L, Wahab RA, Khan S, Mahoney MC. The evolving imaging features of lupus mastitis. Breast J [print-electronic]. 2019 Jul; 25(4): 753-4. PMID: 31074031, DOI: 10.1111/tbj.13314, ISSN: 1524-4741.
Feliciano-Rivera YZ, Yepes MM, Sanchez P, Kalambo M, Elahi F, Wahab RA, Jackson T, Mehta T, Net J. Appropriate Use of Medical Interpreters in the Breast Imaging Clinic. J Breast Imaging. 2024 May 5/27/2024; 6(3): 296-303. PMID: 38267830, PII: 7588762, DOI: 10.1093/jbi/wbad109, ISSN: 2631-6129.
Sharma N, Mehta TS, Wahab RA, Patel MM. Facilitating Culturally Competent Breast Imaging Care in South Asian Patients. J Breast Imaging [print-electronic]. 2024 May 5/24/2024; PMID: 38787594, PII: 7681748, DOI: 10.1093/jbi/wbae026, ISSN: 2631-6129.
Jackson T, Wahab RA, Bankston K, Mehta TS. Raising Cultural Awareness and Addressing Barriers to Breast Imaging Care for Black Women. J Breast Imaging. 2024 Jan 1/19/2024; 6(1): 72-9. PMID: 38142231, PII: 7492841, DOI: 10.1093/jbi/wbad091, ISSN: 2631-6129.
Vijapura C, Tobler J, Wahab RA, Smith ML, Brown AL, Pickle S, Stryker SD, Spalluto LB, England E, Kanfi A. Resident Attitudes and Experiences with a Novel Radiology-based Transgender Curriculum: A Qualitative Study. Acad Radiol [print-electronic]. 2024 Jan; 31(1): 294-303. PMID: 36914502, PII: S1076-6332(23)00068-5, DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2023.02.011, ISSN: 1878-4046.
Mehta TS, Thompson J, Applegate JM, Wahab RA. Cultural Competence in the Care of LGBTQ+ Patients: A Primer for Breast/Chest Centers. J Breast Imaging. 2023 Jul 7/28/2023; 5(4): 473-9. PMID: 38416897, PII: 7076316, DOI: 10.1093/jbi/wbad012, ISSN: 2631-6129.
Wahab RA, Patel M, McLaughlin C, Kulkarni K, Nair B, Mullen L, Vijapura C. Breast Imaging Fellowship Consortium: Developing a Comprehensive Virtual Educational Platform for Breast Imaging Fellows. J Breast Imaging. 2023 Mar 3/20/2023; 5(2): 203-8. PMID: 38416929, PII: 7000433, DOI: 10.1093/jbi/wbac089, ISSN: 2631-6129.
Feliciano-Rivera YZ, Net J, Sanchez P, Wahab RA, Mehta T, Yepes MM. Culturally Competent Care in the Breast Imaging Clinic: Hispanic/Latino Patients. J Breast Imaging. 2023 Mar 3/20/2023; 5(2): 188-94. PMID: 38416924, PII: 6917109, DOI: 10.1093/jbi/wbac074, ISSN: 2631-6129.
Wahab RA, Oluyemi E, Jackson T, Feliciano-Rivera YZ, Roubidoux M, Zhang B, Mehta TS. A Needs Assessment for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity: Survey Results of the Society of Breast Imaging. J Breast Imaging. 2023 Feb 2/6/2023; 5(1): 56-66. PMID: 38416964, PII: 6982758, DOI: 10.1093/jbi/wbac070, ISSN: 2631-6129.
Lee SJ, Wahab RA, Sobel LD, Zhang B, Brown AL, Lewis K, Vijapura C, Mahoney MC. Analysis of 612 Benign Papillomas Diagnosed at Core Biopsy: Rate of Upgrade to Malignancy, Factors Associated With Upgrade, and a Proposal for Selective Surgical Excision. AJR Am J Roentgenol [print-electronic]. 2021 Dec; 217(6): 1299-311. PMID: 34008998, DOI: 10.2214/AJR.21.25832, ISSN: 1546-3141.
Wahab RA, Albasha H, Martin J, Lee SJ, Zhang B, Brown AL, Vijapura C, Lewis K, Sobel LD, Mahoney MC. Characterization of common breast MRI abnormalities: comparison between abbreviated and full MRI protocols. Clin Imaging [print-electronic]. 2021 Nov; 79: 125-32. PMID: 33940489, PII: S0899-7071(21)00174-1, DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2021.04.013, ISSN: 1873-4499.
Brown AL, Jeong J, Wahab RA, Zhang B, Mahoney MC. Diagnostic accuracy of MRI textural analysis in the classification of breast tumors. Clin Imaging [print-electronic]. 2021 Sep; 77: 86-91. PMID: 33652269, PII: S0899-7071(21)00087-5, DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2021.02.031, ISSN: 1873-4499.
Wahab RA, Chan M, Vijapura C, Brown AL, Asghar E, Frazee-Katz C, Mahoney MC. Intimate Partner Violence and the Role of Breast Imaging Centers. J Breast Imaging. 2021 Aug 8/12/2021; 3(4): 482-90. PMID: 38424794, PII: 6316200, DOI: 10.1093/jbi/wbab046, ISSN: 2631-6129.
Kieturakis AJ, Wahab RA, Vijapura C, Mahoney MC. Current Recommendations for Breast Imaging of the Pregnant and Lactating Patient. AJR Am J Roentgenol [print-electronic]. 2021 Jun; 216(6): 1462-75. PMID: 32755376, DOI: 10.2214/AJR.20.23905, ISSN: 1546-3141.
Wahab RA, Brown A, Lee SJ, Zhang B, Sobel L, Mahoney MC. Screening Mammogram Results in the Digital Age: Video Messaging - A Pilot Study. Acad Radiol [print-electronic]. 2021 Apr; 28(4): 487-94. PMID: 32151537, PII: S1076-6332(20)30038-6, DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2020.01.011, ISSN: 1878-4046.
Lyons D, Wahab RA, Vijapura C, Mahoney MC. The nipple-areolar complex: comprehensive imaging review. Clin Radiol [print-electronic]. 2021 Mar; 76(3): 172-84. PMID: 33077158, PII: S0009-9260(20)30405-0, DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2020.09.013, ISSN: 1365-229X.
Vijapura CA, Wahab RA, Thakore AG, Mahoney MC. Upright Tomosynthesis-guided Breast Biopsy: Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting. Radiographics [print-electronic]. 2021; 41(5): 1265-82. PMID: 34357806, DOI: 10.1148/rg.2021210017, ISSN: 1527-1323.
Wahab RA, Lee SJ, Mulligan ME, Zhang B, Mahoney MC. Upgrade Rate of Pure Flat Epithelial Atypia Diagnosed at Core Needle Biopsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Radiol Imaging Cancer. 2021 Jan; 3(1): e200116. PMID: 33778758, PMCID: PMC7983762, DOI: 10.1148/rycan.2021200116, ISSN: 2638-616X.
Brown AL, Wahab RA. MRI of Primary Angiosarcoma of the Breast. Radiology [print-electronic]. 2020 Oct; 297(1): 31. PMID: 32720871, DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2020201377, ISSN: 1527-1315.
Wahab RA, Lewis K, Vijapura C, Zhang B, Lee SJ, Brown A, Mahoney MC. Textural Characteristics of Biopsy-proven Metastatic Axillary Nodes on Preoperative Breast MRI in Breast Cancer Patients: A Feasibility Study. J Breast Imaging. 2020 Aug 8/10/2020; 2(4): 361-71. PMID: 38424965, PII: 5867347, DOI: 10.1093/jbi/wbaa038, ISSN: 2631-6129.
Lee SJ, Saidian L, Wahab RA, Khan S, Mahoney MC. The evolving imaging features of lupus mastitis. Breast J [print-electronic]. 2019 Jul; 25(4): 753-4. PMID: 31074031, DOI: 10.1111/tbj.13314, ISSN: 1524-4741.