Ed Yoder, former AHRA president, passes away

Ed Yoder, CRA, former AHRA president, died last weekend after a difficult battle with cancer.

The announcement came from current president Ernesto A. Cerdena, PhDc, RT, CRA, who wrote about Yoder for the AHRA’s Link blog.

“He was passionate about leadership in healthcare and volunteered his time and talents out of a strong desire to share with his colleagues and help others,” Cerdena wrote.

Yoder was elected president of the AHRA in 2013-2014. He also served two terms on the organization’s Board of Directors, authored columns for Radiology Management and AHRA textbooks, and was a guest speaker at numerous AHRA conferences.

In addition, Yoder worked as the administrative director of medical imaging at Lexington Medical Center.

“We are heartbroken that he’s gone,” Cerdena wrote. “However, we take comfort that he’s at peace and far from pain and suffering. We will never forget him. Certain people touch our lives and, for us, Ed will always be a Rock Star!”

Yoder showed these “rock star” qualities in his first Link column as AHRA president, when he began his tradition of closing columns by talking about some of his all-time favorite music. After discussing the organization’s goals, the upcoming Fall Conference in Baltimore, and other important topics, Yoder closed that first column by breaking down one of his favorite rock songs: “Urgent” by Foreigner.

“Not only is the beat infectious, but Lou Gramm has one of the most powerful, under rated voices in rock’n’roll,” Yoder wrote at the time. “The sax solo is outstanding; Junior Walker lays down one of the most memorable sax lines I have ever heard. It is just awesome and can only be listened to with the volume turned all the way up!”

Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced. Friends of Yoder are currently sharing thoughts and memories in the comments section of Cerdena’s announcement.