HJBR Nov/Dec 2020

18 NOV / DEC 2020 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE Q&A It is said that you have a “passion for medical imaging.”Why is that? As long as I can remember, I have always had an interest in science and medicine. Af- ter graduating from high school, I could not afford college, so I joined the United States Army. With my love of science and medi- cine, it was a no-brainer for me to choose the field of radiologic technology in the Army. The five years I spent in active duty in the United States Army were very reward- ing, but specifically entering the field of Ra- diology was the best decision I have made. With all of the exciting advances in medical imaging, it has been the perfect fit for me. I can honestly say my humble beginning as a technologist has created a solid platform for my career. A lot has changed in medical imaging during the 70 years Radiology Associates has been in business. Would you please walk us through the changes? Probably the most significant change has been the development and evolution of so- phisticated radiology information systems and picture archiving and communications systems (RIS and PACS) platforms. These developments have enabled digital imag- ing studies to be more efficiently and effec- tively interpreted. Additionally, storing and sharing these digital images with on-site or remote clinicians and specialists anytime, anywhere has assisted in helping medical professionals improve the level of patient care they provide. The global adoption of PACS and RIS and their impact on digitizing and advancing radiology and diagnostics in healthcare has improved the imaging workflow. Over the past 70 years, we have seen the clinical practice revolutionized through the advent of modalities like magnetic reso- nance (MR), computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, three-dimensional mammog- raphy and hybrid imaging systems such as positron emission tomography (PET)/ CT and now PET/MR. These modalities are responsible for transitioning from purely anatomical imaging to the combination of functional and anatomical imaging. Can you explain the relationship Radiology Associates has with various hospitals around the area? Our 24 radiologists and 9 physician as- sistants provide subspecialized care at mul- tiple sites including Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center and Woman’s Hospital. We provide a full array of services including CAT scans, MRIs, ultrasound, breast imaging, diagnostic radiology, nucle- ar medicine, interventional radiology and PET scans. We interpret and/or perform procedures totaling more than half a mil- lion studies per year. Radiology Associates has a long history of strong professional relationships with its partner facilities and referring physicians. How has COVID-19 affected imaging practices? As the healthcare industry experienced a volume drop overall due to the necessary precautions taken for COVID-19, imaging was affected proportionately. By following federal, state and local guidelines, we fo- cused on emergency and nonelective pro- cedures. As restrictions have been lifted, our procedures have increased. Radiology Associates takes pride in the fact that we are primarily hospital based and could be there for our patients’ needs, and we are looking forward to reaching normal capacity and continuing to grow. What has been the most dynamic imaging equipment in recent years and why? The most significant development in medical imaging has been the benefit of what imaging can do for patients. Imag- ing has evolved from looking at anatomy to now seeing microscopic structures and visualizing the biological effects of disease at a molecular level. This precision has re- duced the need for exploratory surgeries and drastically reduced the number of un- necessary procedures thus improving the efficacy and efficiency of treatment. What kind of personality makes a radiologist different from another type of physician? Aspiring radiologists must complete four years of undergraduate premedical training followed by four years of medical school. A specialization as a diagnostic radiologist re- quires another four years of education spe- cific to radiology as well as a one-year clini- cal residency. Radiologists may also choose to complete a fellowship in a subspecialized field of Radiology. With that said, radiologists’ personalities come in all shapes and sizes. There are out- going physicians who might be better suit- ed to some of our roles that involve more interaction with patients and referring cli- nicians. Amore introverted personality may prefer teleradiology, where the physician can concentrate more on image interpreta- tion. The friendly and nurturing personality may prefer mammography/women’s imag- ing or pediatric radiology. Those who enjoy technology may be more drawn to body MRI, informatics, interventional radiology, neuroradiology or nuclear medicine. Can you tell us about the workload of radiologists and how those workloads differ among each other? Workloads vary depending on the radiol- ogist’s specialization and the rotation on a given day. For example, an interventional radiologist may spend a great deal of time performing procedures.The same is true for a radiologist specialized in mammography, while a neuro or body fellowship-trained radiologist may have less patient interac- tion but may interpret more studies in each day. What do you see as the future of Radiology Associates in Baton Rouge? Radiology Associates has a strong pres-