In March, RP announced the launch of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), naming 13 radiologists to senior executive leadership roles. One newly named Associate CMO is Dr. Frank Castellano, Associate CMO of Clinical Operations for the Midwest Region.
Dr. Castellano is a diagnostic and neuroradiologist who serves as Practice President for Columbus Radiology in Columbus, Ohio. Additionally, Dr. Castellano serves on the RP Growth Support Board, which collaborates with RP’s support team leaders to consistently assess RP’s practice partnership strategy, stay apprised of competitive landscape and refine RP’s pitch messaging and to promote physician engagement in our partnership process. Prior to being elected as Practice President, Dr. Castellano served on the local practice board (LPB) and as Quality Improvement and Safety Officer. Dr. Castellano earned his medical degree from Wright State University School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio, and completed his residency and fellowship at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He joined RP in 2016.
As Associate CMO of Clinical Operations for the Midwest, Dr. Castellano will serve as a clinical partner to RP’s Senior Vice President of Operations for the Midwest, Charles McRae, including supporting implementation of clinical programs, IT and AI tools; resolving clinical issues within their respective regions; assisting with operating, client and radiologist issues; and serving as a resource for Practice Presidents within the Midwest region.
We sat down with Dr. Castellano to learn more about his aspirations for RP’s Office of the CMO and his role as Associate CMO of Clinical Operations for the Midwest.
Tell us about your tenure/history with RP.
I began working with RP in early 2016 as Columbus Radiology explored options of joining a national practice. When Columbus Radiology officially partnered with RP, I began working with the Growth team, serving on the Practice Partnership Support Board. It has been an exciting role that allows me to meet with many practices and other physician leaders, many of whom are now fellow partners in RP. I was one of the early Practice Presidents who worked on establishing our President’s Council, which has grown and improved over the years.
What attracted you to RP?
Without question, I was and remain excited about RP’s vision and commitment to improving clinical outcomes in Radiology by providing resources to our radiologists to better the practice of medicine.
How has your experience prepared you for your role as Associate CMO of Clinical Operations for the Midwest Region?
While serving as president of CRC for the last eight years, our practice in Ohio grew from around 30 radiologists to more than 120, serving in four regions in the state. This growth has come with various operational challenges, and learning from those experiences has prepared me to serve as a resource to other local physician leaders.
What do you want to accomplish in this role?
I am excited to play a role in developing and implementing new and innovative ways that RP can demonstrate clinical and economic value to our patients and clients. Doing this while advancing operational efficiencies to improve the practicing radiologist’s experience is a worthwhile endeavor.
What does the future of radiology look like in 5 years? 10 years? How will RP contribute to that?
I think the next 5-10 years will be an exciting, transformative time in Radiology. Emerging Artificial Intelligence tools will undoubtedly impact our specialty. I believe RP’s ability to leverage our scale will allow our practice to lead in a way that will enable our radiologists to positively impact our patients and the healthcare system as a whole. This will allow AI to serve as a tool that enhances the role radiologists play in the healthcare continuum, rather than minimize it.
Dr. Frank Castellano is the Associate Chief Medical Officer for Clinical Operations for the Midwest Region at Radiology Partners, a leading physician-led and physician-owned radiology practice in the U.S. For the latest news from RP, follow along on our blog and on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
