Continuing its focus on meeting customer needs, Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. named Beverly Plost director, MR Business Unit. Plost will be responsible for implementing strategic marketing plans to drive growth and profitability of Toshiba’s MR product line. Plost will also interface with Toshiba’s global business unit at Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation (TMSC) in Japan to communicate the needs and requirements of the U.S. market.

The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) today announced that Andrew Northup has joined the organization as International Director. In this role, he will oversee international activities and the Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Sections of MITA.

As patient engagement and Imaging 3.0 take center stage, the American College of Radiology (ACR) has prepared a survey to help radiologists assess their progress, or lack thereof, toward Imaging 3.0.

Due to public concerns and regulatory scrutiny, medical imaging practices must be familiar with current radiation dose monitoring techniques and best practices, according to an article published online May 28 in the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

The ASRT Foundation has announced the recipients of its entry-level and professional scholarships for the 2013-2014 academic year.

The lack of price and quality transparency in U.S. healthcare has fueled spiraling costs but has not promoted quality care. A pair of experts proposed a transparency initiative under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to achieve high quality and cost control. They made the case for their proposal May 27 in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA) has introduced HR 1148, The Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2013.

Certain imperatives are occasionally drowned out in the clamor about healthcare spending and funding. Take, for example, the need for improved value. If we could squeeze additional value out of our healthcare spending, the U.S. might mitigate some of its woes. Several studies published this week underscored the point.