AHRA, the Association for Medical Imaging Management, names new top executive

AHRA, the Association for Medical Imaging Management, has named a new top executive. 

The Washington, D.C., trade group appointed Jason Newmark as its new executive director Thursday, saying he will take the helm Oct. 23. He most recently served as principal of ECG Management Consultants and, before that, VP of diagnostic services at Baystate Health in Massachusetts.

An active member of the association, Newmark has served on the AHRA Board of Directors since 2005, including as finance director from 2012 to 2015 and president the next two years after. His appointment follows a nationwide search, board President Becky Allen said in an online column published Aug. 31.

“During the search, we had the opportunity to interview many candidates, and each would have brought something unique to our association,” Allen wrote. “Jason became the clear choice because of his ability to connect and lead, two traits that are crucial for this role. Jason’s visionary leadership style and strategic thinking align perfectly with the goals outlined in our strategic plan.”

Newmark also earned the Jim Conway Gold Award for his contributions to the association in 2020. He brings more than 20 years of leadership experience to AHRA, having risen through the ranks at Baystate to eventually oversee imaging and lab services across the entire enterprise. At ECG Management Consultants, Allen wrote, Newmark worked with numerous healthcare organizations to develop strategic and capital plans related to radiology services.

He takes over for Nancy Allen, who was appointed as the association’s interim chief executive officer in January. AHRA recently contracted with Smithbucklin to have the firm serve as its association management firm. In conversations with its new partner, Becky Allen said AHRA decided to change its top post from CEO to executive director. They felt this would “appropriately align the title of our new leader with what is frequently used with many associations and organizations like ours,” she said by email.

“The role and expectations are the same,” she added.

Nancy Allen assumed the interim CEO role following the resignation of Daniel Kelsey, MBA, who had filled the post from November 2018 to November 2022. He took over as chief executive officer of the Hemophilia Federation of America in April, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Becky Allen declined to comment on Kelsey’s departure when messaged Thursday.

“We have closed the chapter on the past and are looking ahead to new leadership when Jason joins the team later this fall.  We owe Nancy a lot of gratitude for her service over the last eight months,” she told Radiology Business.

The Association for Medical Imaging Management is the professional organization representing management at all levels of hospital imaging departments, freestanding centers and group practices, according to its website. It was first founded in 1973, has more than 5,000 members, and celebrated its 50th anniversary this year with an annual meeting in Indianapolis.