Traditionally, advances in healthcare are built upon a formalized architecture of research and the application of the scientific method into healthcare decision making for the benefit of optimal care for a single patient or for populations of patients. The importance of data has continued to manifest itself in other areas of healthcare and influence behaviors with respect to information systems and technology as they relate to healthcare. Historically influential in business, data has become increasingly important to healthcare providers as a predictor and an analysis tool for their own businesses. But as radiologists struggle to maintain their independence and demonstrate their value in the healthcare process, no method proves to be stronger than listening to the experiences of peers, those experiencing success, and those experiencing difficult challenges as well, in order to build the strategies that radiologists will apply to their own businesses as a means to sustaining long-term success.

Cerner Corporation has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Siemens Health Services, the health information technology business unit of Siemens AG, for $1.3 billion in cash.

Mecklenburg Radiology Associates (MRA), is a key imaging services provider for Novant Health, a multi-state hospital system that primarily serves the mid-Atlantic region.

Erkan Akyuz was named president of McKesson Technology Solutions' Imaging & Workflow Solutions in May, 2014. Well known in imaging circles, Akyuz previously served as president and CEO of Vital Images, Inc, as well as executive vice president and chief technology officer at Agfa Healthcare. Akyuz brings extensive industry experience, strong leadership and a focus on customer success, and he is well prepared to further McKesson’s mission to break down information silos and improve the quality and cost effectiveness of care delivery. Health IT Executive Forum recently spoke with Akyuz about his perspectives on the current market, new opportunities and where he will take McKesson’s Imaging & Workflow Solutions division.

The Senate confirmed Robert McDonald to head the Department of Veterans Affairs last week, just after congressional leaders put together a $17 billion funding bill to help reform the agency. 

With so much healthcare news coming out of the Capitol, it’s obvious that healthcare remains a priority for the country’s leadership. The office of Health and Human Services (HHS) is preparing for enrollment in year two of the federal health insurance exchange and announced that it will launch auto-enrollment to give existing consumers a simple way to remain in the same plan next year, unless they want to shop for another plan and choose to make changes. This announcement comes amidst reports of coverage gaps for those currently enrolled in some state plans, as well as lingering, unresolved issues stemming from the original enrollment launch debacle last fall.

There are certain times in every market life cycle that are defined by the decisions and actions of certain visionaries who not only see where their profession is headed, but can find ways to be in the lead as the rest of the pack plays catch-up and waits for stronger signals or more certainty.

Welcome to the fifth annual radiology-group survey results. A different approach in gathering information was used this year. In the past, the survey was 100% based on submissions provided by the groups themselves. This year, the Radiology Business Journal staff researched the practice market and sought out large groups, asking them to submit information. Some entries were based on information taken from the groups’ websites. The results look complete and do represent the largest 100 radiology groups owned by radiologists in the country.