Resident Doctor Appreciation Week Meeting MI: Dr. Kay Wu

#MeetingMI offers the Department of Medical Imaging the opportunity to meet the members of MI and learn about their experience in their own words, starting with the next generation of radiologists: MI Residents and Fellows.

Name: Kay Wu
Pronouns: she/her
Residency Training Program name & PGY or Fellowship name: University of Toronto, PGY-2
Hospital site: UMIT/JDMI

1. What inspired you to pursue radiology residency/fellowship?
As a lifelong artist, I have always been drawn to the visual. The same skills I use in painting—attention to detail, pattern recognition, and creativity—translated seamlessly to radiology. Beyond the art of imaging, having grown up in the digital age, I was drawn to radiology because it sits at the intersection of medicine, technology, and innovation. I saw radiology as the specialty best positioned to shape the future of AI-assisted healthcare delivery, and I wanted to be a part of its transformation. Finally, I was able to appreciate medical imaging on a deeply personal level when my grandmother developed a rare neurological disorder. After months of uncertainty, it was her MRI that ultimately gave us the diagnosis. That experience solidified for me the power that radiology holds in patient care. This combination of visual problem-solving, cutting-edge technology, and meaningful impact made radiology a perfect fit for me.

 2. What has been the biggest highlight of your education in MI so far?
Without a doubt, the people. Radiology is a specialty filled with brilliant minds. Here at the University of Toronto, I have been especially fortunate to learn from and be inspired by world-class leaders, educators, mentors, and peers who challenge me to grow both as a radiology resident and as a person hoping to do good in the world, as well as to make some lifelong friends! I have had incredible moments in the reading room, where an interesting case sparks a cascade of insights that reshape how I approach imaging. Furthermore, from complex cancer cases to interventional procedures, being a part of the incredible collaborative work that occurs between radiology and other specialties to provide patient care is truly fulfilling.

Beyond the clinical setting, my experience completing a master’s degree in biomedical informatics at Harvard has been a defining moment in my educational journey. Working alongside computer scientists, engineers, and clinicians from around the world reinforced for me the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork in advancing medical innovation. Presenting my research at international conferences and contributing to discussions on AI development and implementation has been stimulating, reaffirming my desire to help shape the future of radiology through a technological lens.

3. What has been the biggest challenge?
The responsibility. In radiology, every image tells a story. The weight of knowing that a single missed detail could change a patient’s course is daunting, but it is also what drives me to be meticulous. Time is another challenge. Between clinical training, research, innovation/creative projects, and the rest of life, there are never enough hours in the day. While balancing multiple pursuits has been intense, I do enjoy the diverse, ever-evolving nature of my radiology education and life.

4. What are you most looking forward to after residency/fellowship?
I am excited to carve out a career that integrates clinical practice with AI research, health entrepreneurship, and education/mentorship. I look forward to providing the best care possible for each patient I see. Furthermore, leveraging my background in biomedical informatics, I want to help bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and real-world clinical application by leading the development of tools that make radiology more precise, efficient, and accessible. I am excited to have more freedom to innovate, explore new technologies, and push the boundaries of what is possible in radiology.

5. Tell us something about you that might surprise your colleagues!
As a child and teenager, I spent countless hours drawing and writing fiction stories, always seeking ways to turn ideas into reality. When I was 18, I taught myself how to code and built my own personal website. That love for creating has never faded. In the more recent years, I have channeled it into designing apps in hack-a-thons, as well as painting and writing reflections on my experiences in medicine and in life.