My First Six Months as CEO of the American College of Radiology

Last July marked the start of a new chapter for the ACR and for me, when I assumed the role of CEO, a position that carries a deep sense of duty and commitment to our members and the patients and communities they serve. As the first woman to lead this esteemed organization, I am honored to be part of this rich history — and I do not take this responsibility lightly.

 

My first six months have been a whirlwind of activity. I started by immersing myself in the ACR’s mission, vision and strategic goals. Simultaneously, I undertook an extensive listening tour to better understand the perspectives of our staff, the needs of our members, and the pulse of the specialty beyond the College. During my first two months, I met with all my new ACR colleagues. The ACR staff is such a talented, diverse group of people — working in 23 different states — and I am excited to be serving alongside them.

 

Next, I set out to explore the ACR membership, talking with each board member and attending many in-person and virtual meetings of the ACR and with other organizations. So far, one of the most rewarding aspects of this new role has been the chance to connect with members and hear their stories. I have learned much about the opportunities and challenges facing diagnostic and interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians and medical physicists. I have also heard some common themes. There are widespread struggles with clinical volumes, and ACR members worry about the impact of this heavy workload on patients, access to care, quality and safety, and their own well-being. Our members are frustrated by inappropriate utilization of imaging studies that add little value to patient care. While members appreciate the College’s tireless advocacy efforts for fair valuation of their services, they are also concerned about the overall downward trend in reimbursement for radiology practices.

 

To deal with these challenges, some ACR members have chosen flexible schedules, part-time work, non-traditional hours, and remote positions. On-site coverage can be difficult to provide, and demands for immediate final interpretations have become the norm. In some cases, operating an independent physician-owned practice has become financially unsustainable. As a result, some radiologists have transitioned to employment by hospitals, academic medical centers, healthcare systems, and private equity companies.

 

 

Nonetheless, there is great interest and enthusiasm about the promise of AI and the opportunity for radiology to lead the way in population health and preventive screening. ACR members have a well-deserved sense of pride about their role in the advances our profession has made over the past century. In addition, as divided as our country seems at times, I have witnessed significant solidarity among not only ACR members but also across the entire medical profession.

 

One of the ACR’s top priorities has always been to foster innovation and collaboration. We live in an era of rapid technological advancement, and radiology is at the forefront of this evolution. AI and big data are transforming how we approach, diagnose, and treat diseases. The ACR must take the lead in navigating this evolving landscape to ensure members are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed.

 

To that end, the College has recently launched several initiatives to support members. In June, ACR established ARCH-AI, the first national AI quality recognition program for radiology facilities. Designed to ensure the safe and effective use of AI in imaging interpretation, ARCH-AI outlines the infrastructure, processes, and governance necessary to implement AI in real-world practice. In November, ACR launched Assess-AI , the first large-scale AI quality registry. Assess-AI is built on ACR’s existing registry platform (ACR Connect) and monitors the post-market performance of AI products on actual data in radiology practices. Finally, in partnership with several top healthcare systems, ACR founded the Healthcare AI Challenge . This collaborative will help radiologists evaluate AI products, including foundation models, by hosting virtual “events” during which AI products are evaluated by radiologists in a crowdsourced setting. This collaborative will give ACR members access to these cutting-edge tools and the ability to provide feedback. For more information about the ACR AI initiatives and products, visit the ACR’s website .

 

These ACR AI initiatives are only a small sample of the many different projects we are undertaking to support our membership. The ACR remains the voice of radiology, and we will continue to be a powerful advocate for our members and patients at the federal and state levels, fighting for fair reimbursement, advocating for access to care, driving innovation, and promoting the value of radiology services. As we move into the future, the ACR will continue to be an innovative force shaping the future of radiology. I am excited to lead this organization and work with our members to ensure a bright future for our specialty and patients. Focused, forward, and together, we will continue to achieve remarkable success.

 

Author

Dana H. Smetherman,  MD, MPH, MBA, FACR, CEO of the ACR