A Word With Bob: RBMA's Official Podcast

Outpatient imaging operations, physician recruitment, restrictive covenants, and more! Bob speaks with a powerhouse panel who are presenting a pre-conference Masterclass at 2024 PaRADigm entitled "Outpatient Imaging Operational Efficiency and KPIs:" Brenda Bale, Dennis Chaltraw, Jamie Dyer, and Jennifer Yahne. Then, Bob welcomes Ken Davis for a wide-ranging discussion on the strategies radiology groups are implementing to stay competitive in today's marketplace and a preview of what to expect on the legal and regulatory front in 2024!

Bob is joined by the program co-chairs of the 2024 ACR-RBMA Practice Leadership Forum, Jonathan Berlin and Corbin Wilson, and then speaks with Julie Szeker, a member of the RBMA Board of Directors, to talk about recent updates and the state of mergers and acquisitions in healthcare.

In this episode, Bob welcomes Dianne Keen, FRBMA, and Amy K. Patel, MD, to preview their session at the upcoming 2024 ACR-RBMA Practice Leadership Forum, and then is joined by Billy Rowlee, Chief Revenue Officer of RadiologyBill, to discuss the issue of medical debt in America and how radiology practices should grapple with it.

In a special Founders' Day edition of AWWB, Bob is joined by Linda Wilgus, FRBMA, and Pam Kassing, to discuss the Physician Practice Information (PPI) Survey and its implications for radiology practices.

In this episode, Bob is joined by two graduating radiology residents, Dr. David Wallace and Dr. Peter Gunderman, who share their perspectives on the transition from residency to practice, work expectations, and the future of radiology.

In this episode, Bob speaks with Dr. Geraldine McGinty, the first woman to become Chair of the ACR's Board of Chancellors and Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs at Weill Cornell Medicine, as well as Dr. Michael Laposata, Chair of the Department of Pathology at the University of Texas Medical Branch, to discuss their role within the Panel of National Pathology Leaders' Diagnostic Medicine Focus Group, among other topics. The Panel of National Pathology Leaders is a national think tank dedicated to advancing best practices in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.

Bob speaks with Luke Finney, the President and Co-Founder of Mercantile, about the new RBMA Business Credit Card. Then Bob welcomes Andrew Colbert of Ziegler to discuss the state of radiology corporate transactions amid current economic conditions, including consolidation activities, how to strategically build a sustainable platform for the future, strategic alternatives for private practices, and M&A opportunities that are appropriate.

Listen for a preview of the RBMA 2023 PaRADigm program, including some highlights of sessions you won't want to miss, as well as an insightful conversation with William T. Thorwarth Jr., MD, FACR, the Chief Executive Officer of the American College of Radiology. With the ACR celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2023, Bob and Dr. Thorwarth discuss important past achievements, current initiatives, and a look ahead toward the next 100 years!

In the first episode of 2023, Bob chats with Clay Countryman, Esq., to get a sneak peek at the RBMA 2023 PaRADigm Closing Keynote. Then Bob is joined by Thomas Dickerson, FRBMA, and Andrew Cashman, JD, to discuss financial services, recent Congressional action that may impact radiology practices, and changes regarding employee retirement plans.

In this special holiday edition of AWWB, Bob looks ahead to RBMA 2023 PaRADigm by speaking with presenter Karen Massey, who previews her Pre-Conference Masterclass Workshop. Bob then welcomes a roundtable of RBMA Board members to provide insights on what radiology professionals can expect in 2023, from operational issues to regulatory updates and revenue cycle management concerns.

In this episode, Bob is joined by Mark Canada of the RBMA Data Committee to speak about the 2022 A/R Survey, and then talks with attorney W. Kenneth Davis, Jr., JD, of the Katten Law Firm in Chicago, about the hot legal issues in radiology and what to be aware of as the calendar turns to 2023. 

In this episode, Bob interviews RBMA President-Elect Christopher "Kit" Crancer, RBMA's lobbyist Shea McCarthy, and the ACR Senior Director of Political Affairs Ted Burnes. Tune in for a deep dive into the Radiology Patient Action Network (RPAN), ongoing advocacy initiatives, and the 2022 midterm elections including—a fan favorite—expert predictions!

In this episode, Bob hosts a special guest panel featuring John Kaszuba, Regional Vice President at PFC, USA, and Billy Rowlee, Chief Revenue Officer at Radiologybill, to discuss the No Surprises Act and how it is affecting medical collection activity.

Bob chats with 2022 SPARK Workshop Keynote Tom Marshall about his expertise in the field of radiology marketing and practice development and is then joined by Steven Pollei, MD (RAYUS Radiology) and Liz Quam to discuss the Imaging for a Cause foundation and opportunities for involvement. 

In this episode, Bob chats with Barbara Rubel, MBA, FRBMA about being a music major in college and how that background has informed her career, the importance of public speaking, playing an integral role in developing RBMA's Federal Affairs Committee, and the direction of the industry in a world that is more virtually connected than ever. 

In this episode, Bob connects with Mark Kalmar, FRBMA, RBMA Board President for 2021-2022, to discuss their shared Midwestern roots, their tenures as Rotary Club presidents and the long-lasting impacts that those experiences made, and what can be key determinants for success for those breaking into the radiology business.

What does it take to succeed in radiology business? Patricia A. Kroken, FACMPE, FRBMA, CRA would say it takes more guts than brains! In this episode, Bob has a word with Pat, Director, Education and Corporate Communications at MSN Healthcare Solutions, as she discusses her vast career journey, as well as challenges she has had to overcome in her life. Also, we learn about Pat’s accomplishments in weightlifting and the life lessons the sport has provided her. Thank you to the sponsors of this episode of ... A word with Bob for their support of the podcast: Infinx Healthcare, MSN Healthcare Solutions, and Philips Healthcare.

How much time would it take for one to decide to change their entire career path from pastor to hospital administrator? For Bud Dey, the current Senior Vice President of Collaborative Imaging, he only had time to decide from dinner time one night to breakfast the next day! In this episode, Bob has a word with Bud, discussing his unique career journey. They also reminisce about the beginnings of radiology medicine and their experience with the breakthrough technologies, starting from the year 1969. They also discuss what values of radiology business would appeal to young professionals currently starting to break into the field.

Thank you to the sponsors of this episode of ... A word with Bob for their support of the podcast: Data Media Associates, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP), and Advocate RCM.

Bob has a word with Steve Collins, Vice President, Client Relationships and Business Development at MSN Healthcare Solutions. Steve recounts his unique life experiences from selling Olivetti typewriters in Scotland, to falling into radiology billing in America. 

Bob has a word with Christie James, MS, FRBMA, the Sr. Manager of Radiology Revenue Cycle Optimization at Mass General Brigham, and past president of RBMA. Christie takes us on her varied career journey, which took her to many places, including Alaska, Hawaii, California, and Vermont. She also describes ways she promotes patient advocacy at Mass General Brigham. Additionally, she shares how the hospital promotes young professionals and women in the industry.

Bob has a word with Cindy Pittmon, RCC, CHBME, FRBMA, the CEO and founder of Acclaim Radiology Management. In this episode, Cindy recounts her journey from growing up in Midlothian, Texas, to becoming a leader in the healthcare industry. She is a past RBMA president, as well as the current president of the Healthcare Business Management Association. She also tells the story of how she was inspired to start her own billing company after attending an RBMA conference in 1993.

Bob has a word with Linda Wilgus, CPA, CMPE, Executive Director and CFO at Northwest Radiology Network. In this episode Linda recounts how Northwest Radiology was able to efficiently and successfully transition their workforce to work from home at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis. She also shares her journey from growing up in Indiana, to getting involved with accounting, and then into becoming a leader in health care. 

Bob has a word with Cleve Shultz, president of Data Media Associates (DMA). Cleve recounts his career journey from politics, producing mail pieces, and then ultimately joining DMA. Cleve also shares the story of how long time RBMA member Bob Murphy founded DMA in 1975. 

In this episode, long-time RBMA supporter Tom Greeson, JD, FRBMA; partner at Reed Smith LLP and current RBMA board member, discusses his life growing up in Dalton, Georgia, attending the University of Georgia during the late 1960s, and his journey into law and radiology. This episode is a “must listen” if you are new to the business of radiology, or an incoming radiologist.

In this episode, Bob has a word with Rich Whitney. Chairman & CEO at Radiology Partners, Inc., and a fellow Penn State Alumni. Rich explains how he got into health care, and the importance of imaging.  Bob and Rich also discuss whether or not there is a perfect practice size, and how RadParters researches and implements quality measures. 

Bob has a word with Imagine Software CEO, Sam Khashman. We learn about Sam’s family from Germany, and how Imagine Software helped to lead the software revolution in health care revenue cycle management.

In this premier episode of A Word With Bob, Sarah Mountford, CPC, RCC, FRBMA, reflects on her prolific journey from childhood to her current role as RBMA Board of Directors President and as Vice President, Client Services at Zotec Partners. Sarah and host Bob Still, discuss her introduction into healthcare, work life balance, the state of the industry, and more.