Fresh off private equity partnership, radiology provider creates new CEO role, plus more leadership moves
Fresh off inking a private equity partnership, teleradiology provider Radsource LLC is creating a new CEO role to steer the company, one of several recent leadership moves in the industry.
The Brentwood, Tennessee-based organization is tapping Des Varady as its chief exec, according to an announcement shared Monday. He previously served as CEO of Corridor, a provider of post-acute healthcare revenue cycle services. During his time there, the company grew from 30 to over 1,400 team members while completing five strategic acquisitions.
Radsource was founded in 2001 and bills itself as the “nation's largest provider of subspecialty orthopedic and neurological MRI interpretations,” employing 25 fellowship-trained radiologists. The firm in January partnered with PE firm HealthEdge, a lower middle market fund focused on the healthcare space.
“We are very excited about Des joining the team and bringing his extensive healthcare and technology experience," Mark Awh, MD, co-founder and president of Radsource, said in a July 9 announcement. “With Des, Radsource is better positioned to offer our clients exceptional quality, cutting-edge technology and market leading services.”
Both Awh and Chief Medical Officer/Co-founder Mike Stadnick, MD, will continue to lead Radsource’s team of radiologists. Meanwhile, Chief Operating Officer and Co-founder Jeff Carden will oversee practice management operations and the company’s ProtonPACS offering. The latter is a hybrid picture archiving and communication system delivering “enterprise class capabilities” to customers via a strategic partnership with vendor Intelerad.
Before joining Radsource, Varady also served as CEO of healthcare data services firm HWT and COO at global technology consulting business Sapient.
Blue Earth Diagnostics names new CEO
Bracco company Blue Earth Diagnostics named Marco Campione as its next CEO on Monday.
"I look forward to applying my experience towards expanding availability of the company’s PET imaging products for prostate cancer, advancing its development programs in PET neuro-oncology and solid tumors, and in exploring additional opportunities and collaborations.”
- Marco Campione, CEO, Blue Earth Diagnostics
Campione brings more than 25 years of experience, most recently serving as executive director and global head of contrast media at GE HealthCare. He’ll report to Bracco Imaging CEO Fulvio Renoldi Bracco and join the Blue Earth board as vice chair.
Former CEO and Co-founder David Gauden takes over as chief executive of Blue Earth Therapeutics. These leadership changes reflect a “carefully planned strategy to drive continued growth, development and opportunity for both companies,” Bracco noted.
“I congratulate Marco Campione on this CEO appointment and we look forward to drawing upon his strategic, operational and broad general business expertise as we increase our global leadership throughout the diagnostic radiopharmaceutical industry,” Fulvio Renoldi Bracco said in a statement. “Marco joins the Bracco Group at a transformative point in our evolution, as the company matures, broadens its horizons globally and expands its commercial presence.”
Formed in 2014, Blue Earth Diagnostics specializes in the development and commercialization of PET radiopharmaceuticals. The company has offices in both Monroe Township, New Jersey, and Oxford, England.
After merger, Volpara CEO adds new title
After recently completing a $193 million merger deal in May, radiology vendor Volpara CEO Teri Thomas is adding a new title.
"Our combined expertise in AI and breast health presents a unique, holistic AI suite to make a significant impact on early cancer detection and ultimately save lives."
- Teri Thomas, chief business officer, cancer screening, Lunit
Her Wellington, New Zealand-based company is now merging into South Korean AI company Lunit. With the transaction now closed, Thomas became chief business officer of Lunit’s cancer screening group effective July 1. She’ll also continue as CEO of Volpara, the two announced Tuesday.
"We are thrilled to welcome Teri Thomas to our leadership team," Brandon Suh, CEO of Lunit, said in a statement. "Her extensive experience in healthcare IT and proven track record of driving growth will be invaluable as we continue to expand the reach of our cancer screening technologies globally."
An American based in New Zealand, Thomas brings 25-plus years of experience in healthcare IT. As CBO, she will oversee sales and marketing efforts for both Lunit and Volpara. Thomas also will work to grow Lunit’s business presence in the U.S., Europe, Middle East and Africa with further expansion planned in 2025.
Volpara offers software for the early detection of cancer, while Lunit’s flagship Insight suite is cleared by regulatory authorities in the U.S. and Europe and used by over 3,000 hospitals and other institutions in 40 countries. Earlier this year, Lunit said the combined companies will initially focus on breast cancer, but the two have committed to broadening their offerings to address a wider range of cancers and other medical conditions.
Rapid fire
A few more leadership announcements of note, in rapid fashion:
- Upper Allegheny Health System in Olean, New York, has appointed radiologist Jason Dana Dunleavy, MD, as the new medical director of the interventional radiology program at Olean General Hospital.
- Oswego Health in New York state has promoted technologist Stephanie Benavidez to the role of radiology manager.
- Boston biotechnology company Aktis Oncology has appointed nuclear medicine expert Ken Herrmann, MD, MBA, to its board of directors.
- And finally, New Enterprise Associates has elevated Blake Wu to the private equity firm’s Venture Capital Investment Committee. He joined the company in 2014 and works closely with portfolio company Radiology Partners, according to a June 13 announcement.
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.