Private equity-backed oncology network hires noted radiologist as medical director, in-house reader
American Oncology Network a private equity-backed cancer care company, has hired a noted radiologist as its new medical director and in-house reading specialist.
In the new role, Robert J. McDonald, MD, will support AON’s “strategic expansion” of radiotheranostic services throughout its network of clinics across 20 states. He’ll also aim to strengthen the Fort Myers, Florida-based company’s commitment to delivering “cutting edge cancer care close to where patients live and work.”
McDonald is a board-certified specialist in nuclear medicine with over 30 years of experience in diagnostic imaging and radioligand therapy. He’ll serve as the primary reading radiologist for AON partner practices in Naples and Fort Meyers, Florida, and Macon, Georgia, handling PET and CT interpretations.
“AON is at the leading edge of radiotheranostics in community oncology, and Dr. McDonald’s expertise will accelerate our ability to bring groundbreaking radioligand treatments to more patients across the country,” CEO Todd Schonherz said in a Dec. 9 announcement. “His leadership in clinical training, protocol development and program expansion will be essential as we scale radiotheranostic services to additional AON practice sites in 2026 and beyond.”
Prior to joining the American Oncology Network, McDonald served as medical director of imaging services for the Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute. He also has held leadership positions at both the MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando and the Southwest Florida Regional Medical Center. McDonald is a fellow of the American College of Nuclear Medicine and a respected educator, speaker and researcher who has contributed to numerous clinical studies and presentations in nuclear medicine.
His new role at AON also will include delivering radiotheranostic therapies at multiple locations. The network continues to expand its footprint in this space, and McDonald will help it to scale by training physicians, supporting program growth and bringing these therapies to additional practice sites. AON noted the Nuclear Regulatory Commission requires new authorized users of radioligand therapies to complete clinical preceptorships, with McDonald working to conduct them on-site where needed to ensure patient safety.
Founded in 2018, the American Oncology Network now includes 300 providers. AON was previously publicly traded but voluntarily delisted from the Nasdaq in 2024. Prior to that, the oncology practice network scored a $65 million strategic investment from San Francisco private equity firm AEA Investors in 2023. It tallied approximately $1.1 billion in revenue the prior year.
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.