RSNA picks new editor to oversee 100-year-old flagship journal
The Radiological Society of North America has picked a new editor to oversee its 100-year-old flagship journal, Radiology.
RSNA’s Board of Directors has selected Suhny Abbara, MD, to take on the prestigious title in January following an “extensive” international search. A noted figure in the field, Abbara is chair of cardiothoracic imaging for the Mayo Clinic’s, Jacksonville, Florida, campus. He also has served as editor of RSNA’s Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging, a specialized journal focused on diseases of the chest, since its launch in 2019.
Abbara replaces Linda Moy, MD, who resigned effective Aug. 31 to focus on her new role as inaugural vice chair of AI for the New York University (NYU) Department of Radiology. She first took on the title in January 2023, becoming the first female editor of Radiology since RSNA launched the journal in 1923.
“Dr. Abbara is a recognized radiology leader who brings a distinguished record of scholarship, editorial experience and commitment to advancing excellence,” Tina Young Poussaint, MD, the RSNA board’s liaison for publications, said in an Oct. 28 announcement. “In this new role, he will guide the journal’s strategic vision, uphold the highest standards of scientific integrity, and foster innovative contributions that shape the future of radiology.”
As editor, Abbara will encourage new submissions to the journal, develop guidelines for peer review of manuscripts, and formulate editorial policies, among other duties. He also will oversee the publication of RSNA’s suite of six publications, which include RadioGraphics, Radiology: Artificial Intelligence, Radiology: Imaging Cancer, and Radiology Advances.
Radiology is considered the specialty’s leading American medical journal, publishing peer reviewed clinical research, reviews, editorials, commentaries and experimental studies each Tuesday. It recently scored a 15.2 “impact factor” from Clarivate Analytics, making it the most mentioned journal in medical imaging, with 60,000 citations in 2024 alone.
Meanwhile, Abbara has co-authored over 300 peer-reviewed articles, several books and dozens of clinical guidelines and reports. He also has been a reviewer for nearly 25 journals and has won numerous accolades including the RSNA Honored Educator Award in 2014, 2017 and 2020. Abbara’s research has focused on cardiac CT and MRI, lung cancer screening and early detection, and identifying imaging biomarkers to predict outcomes after surgery.
RSNA said it plans to appoint an interim editor for Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging, with a search for a permanent replacement slated to start in 2026.
“I am deeply honored to be named editor of Radiology, a journal that has long set the standard for excellence in our field,” Abbara said in a statement. “Together with our editorial team and contributors, I look forward to advancing the science and impact of radiology for the benefit of our patients and the global medical community.”
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.