From Scrubs to Suits: My Journey From Doctor to CEO in Radiology

It’s not every day that you hear a doctor talk about trading in their scrubs for a suit, but for me, the decision to become an entrepreneur in the field of radiology was one that changed my life — and, I believe, has the potential to change the industry. My path from being a practicing radiologist to becoming the CEO of a successful radiology group wasn’t a straightforward one, but it’s a journey that I wouldn’t trade for anything. Today, as I reflect on that transition, I’ve come to realize that the skills and experiences I gained in medicine have shaped me into a leader in a way I never could have anticipated.

The Early Years: From Medicine to Business

Like many doctors, I spent years in medical school, followed by rigorous training in residency and fellowship. The early part of my career was dedicated to mastering the intricacies of radiology and learning how to deliver the best possible care to my patients. But despite my love for medicine, I felt there was something more I could do — something beyond reading scans and diagnosing conditions. I wanted to have a larger impact on the healthcare system itself.

My desire for a more hands-on role in shaping healthcare led me to the business side of medicine. After completing my fellowship in musculoskeletal radiology, I cofounded a radiology group. Looking back, it’s clear that this decision was the beginning of an entirely new chapter in my career.

I never set out to be a CEO; I was a doctor first and foremost. However, as my colleagues and I built the practice from the ground up, I realized that in order to make a real difference in the field, I had to step up and lead. It wasn’t just about reading images and diagnosing patients — it was about creating a better environment for those patients and the teams that served them.

The Transition: Embracing Leadership and Innovation

The transition from doctor to CEO was no small feat. It required me to embrace a completely different skill set — one that went beyond my medical training. As a doctor, I was trained to focus on one patient at a time, diagnosing and treating their ailments with precision and care. As a CEO, I needed to think much broader: how could I create an organization that would offer great care to thousands of patients? How could I foster a culture of innovation? How could I ensure that we were constantly improving the patient experience?

The most important lesson I learned early on is that leadership isn’t just about making decisions — it’s about empowering others to make decisions too. I had to surround myself with a team of talented individuals who shared my vision and who brought their own expertise to the table. A radiology practice is a complex ecosystem, and the key to success lies in collaboration. From administrative staff to radiologists, I had to learn how to listen, communicate, and inspire others to help the organization grow.

Of course, this wasn’t always easy. There were moments of doubt, tough decisions to be made, and plenty of sleepless nights. But with each challenge came an opportunity to learn. As I spent more time in a leadership role, I found myself drawn to the bigger picture: how we could leverage technology and innovation to transform radiology.

The Entrepreneurial Mindset: Thinking Beyond the Scan

One of the biggest changes in my approach to medicine came with my shift in focus from the scan itself to the larger process of healthcare delivery. As a radiologist, I had always focused on analyzing images and providing my professional opinion. But as an entrepreneur, I had to look at the entire healthcare system with a different lens. What was missing? How could we make the system more efficient, more accessible, and more patient-centered?

This is where my entrepreneurial mindset really began to take shape. I realized that many patients didn’t have easy access to radiology services, especially in underserved areas. There had to be a way to make diagnostic imaging more accessible, and teleradiology was one solution that came to mind. With advances in digital technology, it became possible to offer radiology services remotely, allowing radiologists to interpret images from anywhere in the world. We could expand our reach, reduce wait times, and improve access to care. This idea of leveraging technology to improve patient care was a game-changer for us.

Being an entrepreneur also meant that I had to look at business models differently. In the traditional healthcare system, many practices are tied to large hospital networks, which can be slow to adapt to new technologies and processes. As an independent group, we had the freedom to experiment, to try new approaches, and to make decisions that were in the best interest of both our patients and our team. This flexibility has been one of the most rewarding aspects of being a CEO. I’ve been able to lead a team of talented professionals in creating a practice that is both innovative and focused on quality care.

Finding Purpose Beyond Profits

While entrepreneurship is often equated with profit-making, I’ve always believed that the true purpose of a healthcare business should be to improve lives. As our practice grew, I made it a priority to focus not only on financial success but also on giving back to the community. This is why we launched a foundation that supports causes close to my heart, such as women’s leadership in sports, mental health initiatives, and cancer research. Using our platform to make a positive impact on society has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my journey.

It’s also why we’ve created a workplace culture that values collaboration, innovation, and support for one another. We’re not just coworkers; we’re a team that’s united in the goal of providing the best possible care. I believe that when you create an environment where people feel valued, they do their best work — and that benefits everyone, especially the patients.

The Journey Continues

As I reflect on my journey from doctor to CEO, I’m proud of what we’ve built, but I’m even more excited about what lies ahead. Radiology is at a crossroads, and there’s so much room for growth and improvement. The future of healthcare is all about innovation, accessibility, and collaboration, and I’m eager to continue leading our practice toward that future.

I’ve learned that being an entrepreneur in healthcare isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about asking the right questions and being open to new ideas. It’s about balancing the science of medicine with the art of business. Most importantly, it’s about keeping the patient at the center of everything we do. The journey from doctor to CEO is one of constant learning and adaptation, and I’m excited to see where it takes me next.