Beacon Hill Day and Local Advocacy
Castro-Aragon also led efforts to bring advocacy to the state level through the creation of Beacon Hill Day, modeled after ACR Hill Day. Beacon Hill, a well-known neighborhood in Boston, is home to the Massachusetts State House and the center of the legislative pulse for Massachusetts. Residents who participate in this initiative are invited to a preparatory lunch where they review the legislative agenda, travel logistics and speaking assignments.
At a recent Beacon Hill Day, Zoha Huda, MD, a resident member of MRS with an interest in breast imaging, was empowered to meet independently with her state representative after coaching. This event focused on supporting legislation to eliminate patient cost-sharing for breast cancer screening and diagnostic imaging — a bill that ultimately passed and became Massachusetts law.
“Beacon Hill Day was a great reminder that physicians and even trainees have the ability and expertise to advocate for their patients and related health reforms,” says Huda. “It may seem daunting to meet with those in powerful positions, but our experiences within our field and with our patients are incredibly valuable to share with lawmakers to provide insight into what really makes a difference for our patients and healthcare system. I left that experience feeling really motivated and excited to continue the work to engage others in advocacy and bring important matters to the forefront.”
According to Castro-Aragon, the initiative’s success was due to robust collaboration among attendings, residents and the chapter’s long-serving lobbyist, and it exemplified the MRS commitment to empowering trainees as advocacy leaders.
This collaborative, mentorship-driven model not only prepares residents for Capitol Hill Day but also ensures they feel confident and valued throughout the advocacy process. By involving trainees in strategic planning, messaging and even legislative meetings, the chapter fosters a sense of ownership and purpose. These experiences give residents a firsthand look at how advocacy translates into policy change, reinforcing the impact of their voices within both ACR and broader legislative efforts.
“Trainees are going to be the future of radiology,” says MRS President Scott F. Cameron, MD. “It’s important to seek their input and make sure their voices are heard.” Through initiatives like the educational webinar series developed by the resident and fellow section and in collaboration with attending radiologists, MRS provides a platform for trainees to engage in advocacy, policy discussions and leadership opportunities.
The growth in resident engagement is one of the most significant changes over the years at MRS. This year, MRS saw around 20 residents and fellows attend its events — a broad representation from nearly every training program in the state. According to Cameron, “The residents are talking to each other, getting excited about organized medicine and bringing more people into the fold.”
By Raina Keefer, contributing writer, ACR Press
Your Chapter, Your Voice
Radiology faces a rapidly evolving policy landscape, including artificial intelligence regulations, reimbursement reform and scope-of-practice challenges. State chapters are uniquely positioned to drive real change through focused, relational and often under-the-radar efforts.
The work of these chapters — to evolve within and collaborate with other organizations — shows the most powerful voice isn’t always the loudest. It’s the most inclusive.
