Radiology provider Akumin establishes physician advisory board to spur innovation
Radiology provider Akumin Inc. on Wednesday announced the establishment of a new physician advisory board to help spur innovation.
Two esteemed specialists will serve as inaugural members of the group, helping the Plantation, Florida, company strive for clinical and operational excellence across radiology, theranostics and radiation oncology. They include Jefferson Health of Philadelphia’s Vijay Rao, MD, and the University of Chicago’s Aytekin Oto, MD, MBA.
“I am excited to be a part of this initiative and eager to contribute my expertise to further develop Akumin's strategy and vision," Rao said in a statement shared Feb. 26.
Rao is the David C. Levin Professor and senior VP of enterprise radiology and imaging at Jefferson. She also formerly chaired the Sidney Kimmel Medical College’s radiology department from 2002 to 2022. Rao has authored over 230 peer-reviewed articles and a textbook on MRI and CT of the head and neck. She previously served as president of the Radiological Society of North America and chair of the RSNA R&E Foundation Board, among other titles.
Oto, meanwhile, is a professor of radiology and surgery, dean of clinical affairs and chief physician at UC. His research has produced over 250 publications and 150 scientific exhibits. Oto also serves on the editorial board for RSNA’s Radiology journal and has received numerous awards, as has Rao.
Akumin emerged from bankruptcy protection one year ago and is now owned by its lender, investment firm Stonepeak. The company bills itself “the leader” in advanced imaging and radiation oncology in the U.S. It operates both fixed and mobile imaging sites, partnering with over 1,000 healthcare providers and physician groups.
We recently spoke with the company’s CEO at RSNA 2024, discussing Akumin’s outlook after the Chapter 11 process and ownership change.
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.