American College of Radiology appoints new head of advocacy
The American College of Radiology on Wednesday officially appointed Joshua J. Cooper as its new head of advocacy.
As the next ACR executive VP of government relations, economics and health policy, he brings nearly 30 years of experience with the college. Most recently, Cooper served as VP of congressional affairs and government relations, building strong relationships on Capitol Hill and across the specialty, ACR noted.
He replaces Cynthia Moran, who officially retired on Jan. 2 following two decades with the organization.
“Josh has been instrumental in advancing policies that improve radiologic care, access, awareness and patient outcomes,” ACR CEO Dana H. Smetherman, MD, MPH, MBA, said in a statement Jan. 7.
The college touted Cooper’s achievements during his long-running tenure. These included leading congressional efforts to avert Medicare cuts during the pandemic, in recent years resulting in the reclamation of over $1.6 billion in reimbursements to radiologists. He also helped secure coverage for lung cancer screening and CT colonography under the federal payment program. Plus, Cooper has advocated for continuing congressional support of mandates that insurers cover annual screening mammography beginning at age 40.
He first joined ACR as assistant director of congressional relations in 1998, previously serving as a legislative representative with the American Thoracic Society. Cooper’s career also includes stints with the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance and Office of Sen. John Warner, R-Va., according to LinkedIn.
“As radiology and medicine evolve…I look forward to working with ACR members and decision-makers to advance emerging technologies and ensure their promise to improve radiology and patient care is fulfilled,” Cooper said in a statement.
Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic.