ACR®, through the Radiology Health Equity Coalition (RHEC) and the Pipeline Initiative for the Enrichment of Radiology (PIER), showcased its commitment to community health, population health and workforce development during programs held July 25 at the National Medical Association Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly. The events highlighted how radiologists, medical students and community partners are working together to improve health outcomes and expand access to care.
A key highlight was the ACR PIER program, which completed its seven-week virtual summer experience for 40 medical student scholars. Through mentorship, education and professional development, scholars worked with radiologist mentors to develop Cases-in-Point for ACR's educational collection. During the NMA Section on Radiology and Radiation Oncology (SRRO) session, scholars presented clinically relevant cases and shared how the program strengthened their interest in radiology. Students from Puerto Rico medical schools presented their cases in person, demonstrating the growing impact of PIER in developing the next generation of radiology leaders. The PIER session also featured remarks from Eduardo Labat, MD, president of the Society of Clinical Radiologists of Puerto Rico (SOCRADS), who emphasized the importance of collaboration to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities across Puerto Rico.
The RHEC Symposium focused on integrating quality improvement into community health outreach and highlighted radiology's role in advancing population health. ACR member Anand Narayan, MD, PhD, presented the Mammography Health Equity Learning Collaborative, which uses patient navigation, quality improvement strategies and community partnerships to increase breast cancer screening and reduce disparities in underserved communities.
Melissa Ana Liriano Vyfhuis, MD, PhD, shared lessons from University of Maryland Capital Region Health about caring for cancer patients facing barriers to care. Her presentation examined challenges related to screening, insurance coverage and treatment while offering strategies to improve access to culturally responsive cancer care.
Raymond Tu, MD, FACR, highlighted RHEC's Community Health Outreach Project and the importance of collaboration among physicians, learners, community organizations and professional societies. He also showcased how programs such as PIER and community outreach initiatives help promote cancer awareness, screening and early detection while strengthening connections between radiology and the communities it serves.
For more information or if you have questions, contact Carla Brathwaite, ACR Senior Manager, Health Disparities, Outreach and Population Health.
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