In the latest episode of The Radiology Report, host Daniel Arnold sits down with Dr. Dana Smetherman, CEO of the American College of Radiology (ACR), for an in-depth conversation on leadership, policy, and the future of radiology.
Dr. Smetherman, a Breast Imager and former Chair of Radiology and Associate Medical Director at Ochsner Medical Center, shares her journey from neurology residency to national leadership at the ACR. Her journey reflects a willingness to step back, assess, and pursue the areas where she could make the greatest impact on patients and the profession.
Key Takeaways from the Episode:
- Her Career Path
- Dr. Smetherman opens up about transitioning from neurology to radiology and eventually into leadership, demonstrating the importance of finding the right clinical and professional fit.
- Why Advocacy Matters
- Under her leadership, the ACR has helped reclaim $1.4 billion in Medicare reimbursement for radiologists (2021–2024).
- Legislative Insights
- She explains how policies like the ROOT Act and Appropriate Use Criteria can help reduce unnecessary imaging and address radiologist burnout and workforce shortages.
- The Power of Membership
- Dr. Smetherman emphasizes how ACR dues fund lobbying and economic initiatives, making membership a key tool for securing radiology’s future.
- AI in Radiology
- Learn how ACR tools like ARCH-AI and Assess-AI are helping practices implement AI responsibly, measure performance, and ensure quality care.
- Capitol Hill Advocacy
- Hear how a simple act, encouraging radiologists to wear white coats to congressional meetings, made an outsized impact in radiology advocacy.
- Hear how a simple act, encouraging radiologists to wear white coats to congressional meetings, made an outsized impact in radiology advocacy.
About Dana H. Smetherman, MD, MPH, MBA, FACR, FSBI
Dr. Dana Smetherman is the Chief Executive Officer of the American College of
Radiology (ACR). She is a Diagnostic Radiologist who specializes in breast imaging
and previously served as the Chair of the Department of Radiology and Associate
Medical Director for the Medical Specialties at Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans.
Before becoming ACR CEO in July 2024, Dr. Smetherman.
She has held multiple other leadership positions in national and regional medical organizations, including Secretary/Treasurer, member of the Board of Chancellors, and Chair the Breast
Commission of the ACR, President of the Radiological Society of Louisiana, ACR
Councilor from Louisiana, Board Member for the National Accrediting Program of Breast
Centers, Chair of the Technical Exhibits Committee of the Radiological Society of North
America, Advisor to the Current Procedural Terminology Panel of the American Medical
Association, and Physician Director on the Board of Directors of Ochsner Health. Dr.
Smetherman has given numerous presentations and has multiple publications in the
areas of breast imaging and health care economics.
