By Curtis R. Bush, FACHE, MBA, CRA According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the definition of thankful is conscious of benefit received.  This year I have so much to be thankful for; good health, career opportunities, friends, family, and my extended family, affectionately known as “Ahhhh- Rah.” This year there have been many articles written by RACC commissioners, board members, and AHRA members about the experience necessary, what it takes, and what it means to be a CRA. Some of the lessons they've shared are that practical knowledge is as important as or more important than book knowledge, that you don’t have to be a lifelong imaging leader to be a CRA, that the time and effort put in studying for the exam is worth it, and that the feeling of validation and accomplishment cannot be replaced. We’ve recently completed the selection process for potential RACC commissioners to sit on the 2018 ballot, and I was fortunate to have had the honor to lead the search for candidates. Common themes came up with nearly every nominee; the CRA credential is important, it is difficult to achieve, it validates that by having it you can be a “game-changer” for a facility or organization. As an industry, we are seeing leaders who began in radiology transition to imaging, then in turn transition to neurosciences, cardiology, laboratory, and other clinical or operational areas of leadership. We are also seeing that leaders without a radiology or imaging background are overseeing imaging areas. It is becoming more constant in healthcare to define leaders as leaders regardless of the area that they oversee. The CRA credential is a differentiating certification for radiology leaders and is unlike advanced registry designations such as CT, MR, Mammo, QM, and others in our industry. As it is recognized by more hospitals in our network and other associations, the CRA will branch out from our designated distinction of Certified Radiology Administrator, to that of Healthcare Leader. We are a unique and talented group of leaders. I am thankful and grateful for all of you that have and will take the challenge to be an exceptional leader and a CRA. It is November, and the second testing session during 2018 for candidates pursuing the CRA credential. It is also the election period to vote on who will lead the credential through 2021 as your new RACC commissioners. I wish each one of you a Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year. May all of you be grateful for the blessings that you have been given. Be thankful, be kind, be grateful, and be exceptional!!