Breaking the Glass Ceiling

Dana H. Smetherman, MD, MPH, MBA, FACR, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the American College of Radiology^® (ACR^®), contributed this piece.

When I first embarked on my journey into the field of radiology, I never imagined the 25 years of growth, triumphs, and challenges that would ensue. As I’ve recently began my latest role as the first woman CEO of the ACR, I hope to inspire others who are navigating their own paths in medicine.

Discovering Radiology

After volunteering at my local hospital during high school as an assistant in the operating room, I realized that healthcare was my calling. It gave me a sense of purpose to provide a fundamental service to make people’s lives better. After completing medical school at Tulane University and my internship at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, I began a neurology residency. Although I enjoyed study neurology and helping patients by making a diagnosis, I was surprised to find I did not find outpatient medicine fulfilling. After significant introspection and speaking with colleagues in other specialties, I realized that my passion lay in unlocking the puzzle and discovering the cause of a patient’s symptoms. I learned about an unexpected opening in Ochsner’s radiology residency and was fortunate to be accepted into the program. Upon starting my radiology training, I explored multiple different radiology sub-specialties and ultimately found exactly what I had been looking for in breast imaging. As a breast radiologist, I was able to apply my public health training to the screening aspect of breast cancer imaging and also follow patients through every step of their journeys — from detection to diagnosis, treatment and ultimately survivorship. I was also able to work as part of a multi-disciplinary care team, which enhanced not only my own professional satisfaction but also provided better patient care.

Breaking the Glass Ceiling

When I joined the Ochsner Health Foundation Board in 2013, I was the first woman physician director. In my ACR state chapter, I was also the first female officer, president, and councilor. Then in 2019, I became the first female chair of the radiology department at Ochsner Medical Center and the hospital’s first female associate medical director (an unusual role for a radiologist, in which other specialties like emergency and hospital medicine, pulmonology, infectious diseases, gastroenterology, endocrinology, and rheumatology reported to me). I never set out to be a pioneer, but sometimes you don’t realize you are setting an example until you look around the room and notice that you’re the only woman there. Along the way, I have also had a chance to not only benefit from many wonderful mentors but (I hope) serve as a role model and mentor to others.

Looking Ahead

Radiology is not only an evolving specialty; it is also a relatively new field in medicine, and innovation has been a part of our field since its inception. With the emergence of artificial intelligence, radiologists have the opportunity to lead healthcare by championing and shepherding the safe, effective use of this exciting new technology. We are also poised to guide data science and population health by leveraging the information already available in imaging studies. I am thrilled at the prospect of leading our field through this era of innovation, #FocusedForwardTogether.