Radiology's Evolution: Strategic Partnerships and Innovations at ACR 2026

The 2026 Moreton Lecture at the American College of Radiology (ACR) annual meeting emphasized a call to action for the radiology community to forge strong alliances with health system executives. Delivered by Dr. Richard P. Shannon, Duke Health's Senior Vice President, Chief Quality Officer, and Chief Medical Officer, his presentation, "Finding a Seat at the Health System Table: Radiology in a Time of Transformation," addressed the need for collaboration amid sweeping changes in the sector.

Dr. Shannon advocated for a deeper understanding between radiologists and the executive teams of their healthcare systems to identify shared goals. He highlighted the monumental shifts occurring in workforce dynamics and clinical complexity that necessitate innovative, trust-based partnerships within healthcare systems.

Addressing the economic pressures on the U.S. healthcare system, Shannon emphasized the importance of these collaborations in managing financial strain and the impact of an aging population on imaging demand. Radiology, he noted, is vital to healthcare cash flows and economic viability.

Shannon candidly discussed the challenges of declining reimbursement rates and workforce issues, advocating for mental resilience and adaptability among professionals. Drawing on examples from Duke's women's basketball coach, he underscored the importance of handling difficulties effectively.

Innovations, particularly in interventional radiology and artificial intelligence (AI), offer significant opportunities for the field. Dr. Shannon highlighted the projected growth of interventional radiology, predicting a compound annual growth rate of 5.2% in the coming decade. He pointed out the necessity of AI as a complement to well-conceived workflows, cautioning against relying on it to rectify deeply rooted inefficiencies.

Illustrating the need for system redesign, Shannon shared an anecdote from his tenure at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, where workflow improvements eliminated the need for costly infrastructure investments, such as a new parking garage. Strategically enhancing clinical workflows generated substantial cost savings and increased patient satisfaction.

Dr. Shannon concluded with a call to leadership and partnership, urging radiologists to engage with their executive teams in healthcare decision-making processes. Emphasizing that leadership is the cornerstone for transformative initiatives, he invited radiologists to proactively claim their roles in shaping the future of patient care and healthcare delivery.