Spring Brings New Beginnings

By Angelic P. Bush, MSRS, CRA, RT, FAHRA

Spring is a time of new beginnings. When I say “new,” I don’t necessarily mean starting over, but new beginnings as in a chance to build upon the roots and framework of what is already in existence.

I must admit, I have been a bit melancholy these recent days. The recent announcement of our CEO, Ed Cronin’s retirement gives us a lot to think about. Allow me to first assure you that your Board of Directors has already begun the important work of finding our next CEO and is considering all opportunities, stakeholders, and resources. We truly understand the work that must be done, and we are blessed to have such engaged and vested volunteers, eager to do such important work.

As leaders, both at our local entities and here within AHRA, it is our responsibility to constantly assess and reassess the foundational framework around our operations. This is necessary in order to ensure we are doing the right things at the right times, not only to sustain our current operations, as successful as they may be, but also to provide the necessary infrastructure for innovation, future growth, and yes a vision of AUDACITY in our operations. We have been challenged as a leadership team to think bigger than “traditional.” Whether it’s in regards to your personal goals or AHRA-wide goals, traditional can no longer be enough.

In imaging operations, we are constantly driving to improve every aspect of how we deliver care: finance, quality, people, service, growth, and innovation. Traditional goals should only be a starting point. A great friend and past president Luann Culbreth coined a phrase, “Have a BAG.” That is, a Big Audacious Goal. This phrase rings particularly true to me because my mother, Maria Flores, would often encourage me to shoot for the stars no matter how hard or how far away they seem, stating that when you do so and should you fail, just grab the moon along your way. In this manner you still reached farther than others had dared to dream.

I truly believe with my entire heart that AHRA is an association absolutely FULL of talented and innovative change agents. We have the knowledge, experience, and insight, and are in positions to truly change how imaging, and ultimately medicine, is delivered across the country and globe. But we have to be audacious enough to dream big, to have a BAG and use everything in us to work towards it, to challenge the norm and allow no one to tell us “it can’t be done” simply because it never has been.

So as you sit down to make your annual budgets, goals, targets threshold, etc., know what’s realistic, yes, but I want to challenge you to have at least one reach goal. Have a BAG! And to practice what I preach, we, your Board of Directors, are doing exactly the same. You deserve nothing less from us. Ed Cronin has been an amazing CEO. He, with the support of many others within AHRA’s leadership, committees, task forces, and an army of volunteers, have changed the face of imaging leadership. We are no longer just at the table listening to new regulations that are coming forth; we are the ones bringing the stakeholders to the table to talk about CDS and discussing how we can realistically operationalize it. That was a BAG because we had the audacity to voice it, acknowledge it, and work towards it. No matter how far away it seemed, it is now a reality.

As I said at the start of this article, spring is a time of new beginnings and a chance to build upon the roots and framework of what is already in existence. In our search for our leadership team of the future, it is time to do so again. It is time to build upon our current state, challenge the norms, and reach for the stars.

Let’s ring in the spring! What’s your BAG and are you actively working towards it no matter how far away it may seem?

p.s. There are currently many opportunities within AHRA to do so:

• The 2018-2019 Board of Directors Election will take place next month. Check back here next week to meet your candidates, and make sure to vote so that your voice is heard!
• Refer a Peer! We recently launched a referral program where you can get rewarded for bringing a new member into our AHRA family. Why not challenge yourself and see how many new members you can bring in?
• Volunteer! Get involved and broaden your involvement within AHRA. Click here to see the current available opportunities. You can add your name to the Volunteer Pool for future opportunities too.
• Attend AHRA 2018. The Annual Meeting Design Team has put together a fantastic program for this year’s conference, and you won’t want to miss it. If you register before April 27, you’ll save $50 off your registration. There are also scholarship opportunities.

Angelic P. Bush, MSRS, CRA, RT, FAHRA is the 2017-2018 president of the AHRA Board of Directors. She works at Baylor Scott & White-Round Rock in Round Rock, TX and can be reached at bushangelic@gmail.com.