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Putting Patients First: How Imaging Leaders Turn Grant Funds Into Real-World Impact
Podcast Putting Patients First: How Imaging Leaders Turn Grant Funds Into Real-World Impact April 07, 2026 - Lindsay Arrington, Andrew Kuhls‑Gilcrist, Sara J. Riskey
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In this episode of Medical Imaging Matters, AHRA Executive Director Jason Newmark brings together imaging leaders and partners to explore how AHRA’s Putting Patients First Grant Program, generously funded by Canon Medical, is translating grant funding into measurable improvements in patient care.

Joined by Andrew Ruiz, chair of AHRA’s Member Recognition Committee, and Andrew Kuhls‑Gilcrist of Canon Medical, the conversation offers a behind‑the‑scenes look at the Putting Patients First Grant Program, including how projects are selected and what makes an idea truly impactful.

The discussion turns to the real-world outcomes of that work. Grant recipient Lindsay Arrington, imaging manager with Emory Healthcare, shares how her team expanded an MRI safety initiative in a rural imaging setting, strengthening safety protocols, training MR safety officers, and improving education for both staff and patients.

Sara Riskey, director of radiology at Unity Medical Center in North Dakota, highlights her radiation safety project, which used ProAqCT software to reduce CT head radiation dose by 11% without compromising image quality — an important step for a rural hospital serving an aging population.

Along the way, guests reflect on leadership growth, lessons learned, and the value of saying “yes” to opportunity — whether through AHRA involvement, professional credentials, or grant applications.

Tune in and subscribe on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, and YouTube.


Interested in funding a project that enhances patient care and safety in your imaging department? The Putting Patients First Grant Program, supported by Canon Medical, awards five grants of up to $10,000 each year to imaging leaders with innovative, patient-centered ideas. The next application window opens this fall.

The Putting Patients First program is part of AHRA’s commitment to leadership development, innovation, and advancing the practice of medical imaging through collaboration with valued industry partners.

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Lindsay Arrington

Lindsay Arrington, BSHA, RT(R), MBA, is an experienced imaging leader with two decades in radiology operations at Emory Healthcare Warner Robins/Perry. She is passionate about high performing teams, improving patient experience and safety, and driving sustainable growth across imaging services. 

Lindsay currently serves in a leadership role overseeing multimodality imaging operations, with a strong focus on breast imaging, ultrasound, outpatient expansion, and passion for patient safety. Her leadership approach blends data driven decision making with a people-first mindset, emphasizing staff morale and engagement, quality, and patient-centered care. She is a recipient of the AHRA Putting Patients First Grant and actively pursuing her MBA while preparing for the CRA certification. 

Outside of work, she lives at full speed in two very different worlds: leading a fast-paced healthcare environment by day and returning home to dirt roads, wide open spaces, and a house of kids and animals at night. She and her husband are raising two teenagers, Kaitlin (16) and William (14). Her off hours are often spent managing the chaos and joy of family life, touring in their vintage Airstream, caring for pets, and enjoying the quieter side of country living. 

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Andrew Kuhls‑Gilcrist

Andrew Kuhls‑Gilcrist, PhD, DABR, is the director of key opinion leader management at Canon Medical, where he leads national strategy for engaging clinical thought leaders and translating innovation into real‑world adoption.

Trained as a medical physicist, Andrew has spent over two decades in medical imaging, helping bring advanced imaging technologies from concept to clinic. He has authored more than 70 scientific publications, received two FDA Director’s Special Citation Awards, and remains deeply involved in professional organizations shaping the future of imaging and patient care. Today, his work sits at the intersection of science, regulation, and clinical impact.

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Sara J. Riskey

Sara J. Riskey, BSBA, R.T. (R), RDMS (AB), CRA, is the director of Radiology at Unity Medical Center, where she leads a multi-modality imaging department focused on delivering high-quality patient care and operational excellence. With cross-training in CT, DEXA, general and vascular ultrasound, and adult echocardiography, she brings a comprehensive clinical perspective to her leadership role.

Sara is especially passionate about mentoring and developing her team, fostering both professional growth and a supportive workplace culture. She is known for her hands-on leadership style and her ability to implement practical solutions that improve both staff experience and patient outcomes.

Based in North Dakota, Sara stays busy outside of work supporting her husband and three sons at their many sporting events. In her free time, she enjoys crafting, spending time outdoors, and taking long walks with her Boston Terrier. She is driven by a commitment to continuous learning, staying active, and making a meaningful impact in her organization and community.

I bring authenticity, grit, and heart to everything I do - whether mentoring my team, solving operational challenges or showing up for my family. 

Tags: patient safety     Podcast     Putting Patients First

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