Joint Commission names Chassin as president

Dr. Mark Chassin was named president of the The Joint Commission (formerly the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) in an announcement by the Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.-based organization this morning. His term in the leadership role will begin on January 1 next year.

Chassin is the Edmond A. Guggenheim Professor of Health Policy and chairman of the department of health policy at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, and executive vice president for excellence in patient care at The Mount Sinai Medical Center. Prior to joining Mount Sinai, he served as Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health. His background also includes service in the federal government and many years of health services and health policy research.

Dr. Dennis O'Leary, who has led The Joint Commission for the past 21 years, will become president emeritus of the organization.

Around the web

Positron, a New York-based nuclear imaging company, will now provide Upbeat Cardiology Solutions with advanced PET/CT systems and services. 

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.