Kirti Kulkarni

Dr. Kirti Kulkarni is board certified in Diagnostic Radiology, specializing in breast and abdominal imaging. Dr. Kulkarni’s clinical expertise is in the early detection of breast cancer and an interdisciplinary approach to the treatment of breast cancer.
After completing her radiology residency, Dr. Kulkarni completed two fellowships at the University of Chicago Medicine, one in the Section of Breast Imaging and the other in the Section of Abdominal Imaging. Currently, Dr. Kulkarni serves as the Medical Director of Breast Community Practices, Director of the Breast Imaging Fellowship Program, and Vice Chair for Communications at the University of Chicago Medicine. As an Associate Professor of Radiology, she is invited to give presentations on topics of early detection of breast cancer and newer MRI techniques for breast cancer screening. Her research in the field of Breast MRI and 3D breast specimen imaging has received various accolades and she has published multiple papers in peer-reviewed journals, and book chapters and has been a part of many clinical trials relating to her specialty. She co-founded the Annual Chicagoland Radiology Expo, an in-person and virtual educational and mentorship platform to strengthen the pipeline of women and underrepresented minorities getting into healthcare; specifically, radiology. ACR has published an Imaging 3.0 case study on the Chicagoland Radiology Expo. As Vice Chair for Communications, she has led various initiatives to increase transparency and foster collaborative relationships within and outside the department. Some of the initiatives include interactive websites, annual reports, and Alumni Engagement Series. The Communications team was highlighted in a case study published and distributed by the ACR. She is a founding member of the Breast Imaging Fellowship Consortium, which was launched in March 2020 to educate and enhance the experience of breast imaging fellows in the nation.