Presenting Your 2017 AHRA Board of Directors Election Candidates

By AHRA Staff

Elections for the 2017-2018 AHRA Board of Directors and President-Elect will take place online at www.ahra.org from May 8-22, 2017. Voting is open to all members in good standing. Emeritus members may not vote.

 

AHRA President-Elect Candidates (in alphabetical order):

Bill Algee, CRA, FAHRA                     
Director of Imaging Services 
Columbus Regional Hospital
Columbus, IN                                     

Collaboration and Inclusiveness:
I have a great passion for the AHRA – both our members and the organization as a whole. Any opportunity to include peers in networking situations is a gift. I believe that working with other organizations to improve leadership and educational opportunities is very important; for example I have developed relationships with RBMA leadership. These relations are key to the future of AHRA’s growth.

I make it my goal to make new friends at every AHRA interaction and make people feel welcome. I have developed numerous relationships with members all over the country that have similar qualities and the desire to see the AHRA be successful in all of our efforts. I firmly believe the membership is what makes the AHRA great. Our desire to be the best at what we do and continuously learn and improve is immeasurable.

 

Chris Tomlinson, CRA, FAHRA          
Sr. Director, Radiology / Executive Director, Radiology Associates           
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA

I will contribute my experience and knowledge of the AHRA to focus our value to the members, specifically around the changes taking place in our healthcare institutions. We, as radiology leaders, are on the front line of the shift from fee for service to fee for value. While change is difficult, radiology leaders are in a prime position to drive this change. We understand managing large departments with expensive assets and high utilization. We understand how to run large imaging platforms and distribution systems that can be levered into an enterprise solution (VNA/enterprise imaging). My vision is to continue our great work to train our new leaders through the Leadership Institute, drive the CRA credential through the RACC, and position our members not just for success and avoiding commoditization, but to take advantage of this industry change to elevate our profile and role within our institutions.

 

AHRA Director-at-Large Candidates (in alphabetical order):

Lori Ann Burns
Manager of MRI Services      
Holy Name Medical Center
Teaneck, NJ

I have been actively involved in the AHRA since joining in 2005, including volunteering at the Annual Meeting, hosting regional meetings, serving on committees serving as a member on the Annual Meeting Design Team from 2007- 09 and the Annual Appeal Committee, and most recently serving as the Education Foundation Chair since 2015 after serving as Director from 2013-2014. I have worked with teams executing changes and improvements you see today including creating and implementing the CRA scholarship, setting donation records as the EF Chair in 2016, and actively participating with the current Board in the development of our strategic plan.

As a board member, I will be engaged in executing the strategic plan and organizational goals. I understand the members’ needs and will work to assure these are met. I will serve you, the membership, and help our organization move forward to grow to new heights. My commitment will allow AHRA to continue to flourish as the leading organization for medical imaging management. AHRA has been my passion for the past 12 years – I know this is the greatest organization and I am proud to be a part of it.

 

Rachel Giliotti
Director, Clinical Services                 
Hologic, Inc.
Danbury, CT                                                  

With over 20 years of experience in imaging and radiation oncology, most of which has been spent in manager and director positions, I have demonstrated the abilities needed for this position. I feel a great deal of fulfillment when leading change and teams, having done this in both clinical and corporate imaging related settings. My intent is to positively influence the mission and purpose of our industry and ultimately, patient care.

Volunteering for an organization that I am passionate about will be highly rewarding as I am committed to making positive contributions to the integral role management plays in medical imaging and radiation oncology. It’s a privilege to work in this industry and I hope to give back to profession that has given me immeasurable pride.

 

Wesley Harden, CRA
Director of Imaging Services 
Lexington Medical Center
West Columbia, SC 
2^nd term, re-election                         

I am excited to be seeking a second term on the AHRA Board. I am an engaged, active member who takes this responsibility seriously. I look for ways I can best serve the membership and bring an open mind and honest discussions to every meeting I am involved in. I am currently serving on the Finance Committee as well as a couple of task forces. I also enjoy volunteering at the Annual Meeting or for the EF when I can. I enjoy using my years of experience to give back to the organization that has given me so much. As I stated when I was elected in 2014, the AHRA needs honest, passionate leaders to continue moving it forward. I still believe that today and feel I am such a leader.

 

Billie McKee, CRA
Director of Imaging/Customer Relations
Henry County Medical Center
Paris, TN                                   

I have been a member of the AHRA since 2003. In recent years, I have wanted to become more involved. I remember sitting in the auditorium in Nashville last August and making a commitment to myself to become more active. My kids are older and my work position now allows me the opportunity to make a contribution of my time and energy. Over the years, I have come to understand what a significant role the AHRA plays in helping educate radiology leaders and keep us all networked together. It’s been an invaluable resource for me especially in my present position out here on my own. I feel my years of experience in leadership and ability to speak to the value that the AHRA brings to its members can help promote the true mission of the board. Our primary goal is to develop imaging professionals who can navigate the changing healthcare environment in which we work in today. I appreciate your consideration to be a part of this board. It would truly be an honor to serve our members.

 

Joseph M. Phillips, CRA
Radiology Manager   
Connecticut Children’s Medical Center
Hartford, CT                               

I seek to become a board member as a way to “give back” to our profession and to the organization that has helped shape my development as a leader. To be succinct, “I care about AHRA!” From the first opportunity I had to enjoy a national AHRA meeting, I was blown away by the professionalism of the organization and the quality of topics and speakers. Clearly AHRA serves many functions, and if I’m selected as a board member it will provide me an opportunity to shape the future of this vital organization AND our profession. I believe my experiences in radiology will add value to the Board of Directors. In my career, I have had the honor to serve in leadership as an operations manager and as director in a variety of business settings including academic medical centers, community hospitals, private imaging centers, and children’s hospitals. Most recently, in 2016 I am proud to share that I earned the credential of CRA! I truly love what I do for a living and find the professional development of others under my leadership most satisfying. With a personal goal to be more involved in extracurricular activities in organizations like AHRA and ACHE, I feel like the timing is right for me to join your team.

 

Jason Scott, CRA, FAHRA
Chief Patient Experience Officer
Director, Imaging/Pulmonary/Neurodiagnostics/Wound Care     
Witham Health Services
Lebanon, IN                                       

I can remember attending my first AHRA Annual Meeting in 2009. I have to admit, I was very nervous about attending. I thought I was going to be surrounded by radiology administrators who would not even waste their time speaking to a newly minted chief technologist. It did not take me long to realize that this is truly not what the AHRA is all about! Everyone was helpful, friendly, and kind. I came back with a renewed sense of what the AHRA is all about…helping better our profession by helping one another.

As an AHRA Director, I would govern by being a servant leader; meaning, I would listen to the needs of our members’ daily challenges and ask what the AHRA can do to better facilitate the issues facing radiology administrators today. I would then collaborate with key stakeholders to come up with a viable solution to these issues. I would make certain the needs of our members are being met while also making sure our strategic plan is being followed. I would make networking a priority. Furthermore, I would encourage AHRA volunteerism, as this has been a great benefit to me, both personally and professionally.