The Association for Medical Imaging Management (AHRA) will be having its annual meeting in Orlando, Florida over August 4-7. HealthCare Business News spoke with AHRA president Becky Allen, about what the meeting will have in store for attendees and about her own professional background.

HCB News: Who or what inspired you to follow a career in healthcare?
Becky Allen: I was inspired to follow a career in healthcare at a very early age. This stemmed from needing quite a few X-rays in my childhood due to playing sports in junior high and high school. Each time, I went in for an X-ray, I was intrigued by seeing my bones.

During one visit, a technologist took the time to show me different structures on a skull X-ray. From that moment, I was hooked — I knew I wanted to be a radiologic technologist.

Since becoming a technologist, I have been so blessed to work with and for many amazing leaders that inspired me to continue my career in healthcare leadership. Two of those leaders, Andy Riddell and Jack Hill, gave me the confidence and opportunities early in my career that helped me get to where I am today, in my current position as vice president of operations at UC Health.

HCB News: How did you first become involved with AHRA?
BA: I became involved with AHRA out of luck! My radiology team led me to AHRA in 2004, by nominating me for the association’s Award for Excellence. I was fortunate to be one of the winners and I was able to attend my very first AHRA Annual Meeting in Boston to accept the award that year.

From that very first meeting, I was hooked. I felt like I found a group of people I could reach out to at any time, and they were always willing to help. I immediately achieved my Certified Radiology Administrator (CRA) certification the same year. The last 20 years have been a blessing to me.

HCB News: What was that journey like, from joining AHRA to becoming president?
BA: My journey over these last 20 years within AHRA, to this year being president, has been an amazing journey. I could not have imagined being a brand-new manager and not having the resources that AHRA provides to its members. Anytime I asked a question on the forum, I knew I would get answers back from several members.

I started volunteering with the association in 2005. My first role was scanning badges at educational sessions at the Annual Meeting that year. I felt a sense of belonging and knew I wanted to give back to the next generation of leaders in radiology. From committee work to annual campaigns, to the board of directors, and now president, it has been a privilege and honor to be a part of this association. I encourage anyone within AHRA, or those thinking about joining our association, to get involved and give back. What you get in return is a thousand times more than you could ever expect.

HCB News: What are some of the biggest initiatives that you have championed with AHRA?
BA: One of my main goals this past year was to position AHRA as a leader in medical imaging management, while also exploring potential collaboration with other associations that wanted to help us fulfill our mission. We’ve made great strides in forming meaningful relationships that will help advance our profession and the entire industry. We’ve worked with so many wonderful organizations, including AAPM, ARRT, ASRT, JRCERT, RBMA, SDMS, ACR, IAC, TJC, MITA, and RadSite.

Another initiative was the launch of our Living Our Legacy campaign. This is a five-year effort which invites stakeholders, AHRA members, and corporate partners, to invest in AHRA’s vision of innovating our offerings, expanding our reach, and creating new strategic alliances. To date, the campaign is tracking to be the most successful campaign in AHRA’s history!

We know our role is to help our members navigate the ever-evolving healthcare landscape, and our members are facing unprecedented challenges. Now is the time for AHRA to lead the way and help shape the future of medical imaging for years to come. We have started off strong and our members and corporate partners are stepping up to the challenge and collaborating with us like never before.

HCB News: For imaging stakeholders who may not be familiar, why should they consider joining AHRA?
BA: AHRA represents management at all levels of hospital imaging departments, freestanding imaging centers, and group practices. Our mission is to educate, develop, mentor, and provide resources to medical imaging professionals.

We offer many opportunities for professional education, including webinars, workshops, local area meetings across the U.S., and our Annual Meeting. We also offer our Aspiring Leaders program for those looking to start their career in imaging management. If you are an experienced imaging professional looking to advance to the C-Suite or broader management oversight, we have the Leaders of Choice program. From starting your career to retirement, we have every resource to help you throughout your journey!

Even with all of this, there’s something we have that’s perhaps more important: AHRA is a place that turns colleagues into family. From people across the country (and internationally), it is so easy to create a bond. We talk with each other about our daily challenges at work, our families, and what motivates us. There have been times I’m feeling challenged at work, but a random text from a fellow AHRA member will appear that just says, “Thinking about you!” That gets me through that day.

Professionally and personally, our members grow with each other and with AHRA. There are not many professional associations that can say that!

HCB News: Can you tell us more about what attendees can expect at the annual AHRA meeting in Orlando?
BA: I am extremely excited about the 2024 Annual Meeting! Our Annual Design Team has been hard at work over the last year preparing for this event. We have fantastic keynote speakers and sessions for everyone.

The AHRA Annual Meeting in Orlando promises a rich and comprehensive experience, blending education, networking, innovation, and professional development. It’s an excellent opportunity for medical imaging professionals to stay updated on industry advancements, connect with peers, and gain valuable insights to enhance their careers.

This year we have also brought back our AHRA Education Foundation Imaging Golf Classic tournament! This offers our annual meeting attendees a relaxing and enjoyable opportunity to network outside of the conference room on a beautiful golf course.

We have several workshops this year as well. The CRA Exam Workshop is available for those interested in taking the CRA exam. This provides an overview of content areas, including operations, finance, human resources, asset management, and communication. Our Executive Leadership Workshop is tailored for current and aspiring leaders. This session is great for those interested in enhancing strategic thinking, decision-making, and leadership skills.

I’m also excited to see our vendor and industry partners in the exhibit hall, which we’ve renamed to the Gathering Place — it’s all about collaboration with our partners! This is a wonderful opportunity to take time to learn about new and exciting technologies.

HCB News: Are there any sessions or presentations that you're particularly excited about?
BA: There are so many great sessions, it’s hard to just name a few! I am interested in learning how to improve the workplace. A few I’ve marked down include: “Healthcare Workplace Violence — Current Trends, Compliance, and Prevention,” “Impact of Cultural Competence and Emotional Intelligence on Leadership Teams,” and “Nurturing Workplace Mental Health With Mental Fitness.” I’m looking forward to learning new ways to help my teams on the front line and myself.

We have great keynote speakers throughout the week as well. Kien Vuu, M.D., best-selling author of “Thrive State: Your Blueprint for Optimal Health, Longevity, and Peak Performance,” will kick us off on Monday. On Tuesday, Pete Smith will ask us if we dare us to ask the fundamental question of “do I matter?” Sending is off on Wednesday is Jake Poore, who has built his career working side by side with clinical and nonclinical care team members on every step of the patient experience.

We are very fortunate to have our vendor partners join us at the Annual Meeting, as well. This is a chance to meet with them and talk about new technology. We have saved plenty of time each day for everyone to join them in the Gathering Place. This time is critical to build relationships that will help each of us learn what new technology and offerings are out there to better serve our teams and, ultimately, our patients.

I hope to see everyone in Orlando, this August 4-7!