The ACR has named Frank J. Lexa, MD, as medical director of the Radiology Leadership Institute (RLI).

Lexa is a diagnostic radiologist who specializes in neuroradiology. He currently works as an adjunct professor of marketing at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and the Spain and East Asia regional manager for the Wharton Global Consulting Practicum.

Lexa told RadiologyBusiness.com that one of his primary responsibilities will be working with the rest of the organization’s board to see how the RLI can help prepare radiologists for the road ahead.  

“Our job is to help guide the RLI in its central imperative, which is to help radiologists get the leadership skills they need to do better—not just to survive, but to thrive—in what are genuinely challenging times,” Lexa said. “The job of the RLI is to give people the skills they need.”

Lexa explained that this applies to radiologists at all stages of their careers. Residents, fellows, and experienced radiologists all have different needs, and he believes the RLI should be there to help them every step of the way.

Lexa said he also wants to see the RLI grow and become more accessible during his time as medical director. And he has hopes that the oganization can be an inspiration for other specialties.

“I’d like to make the RLI’s offerings so attractive that we can even generate attention from non-radiologists under the right circumstances,” Lexa said. “I’d like us to be so good that other specialties will either pay us the compliment of copying us or perhaps figure out a way for us to collaborate with them.”

ACR CEO William T. Thorwarth Jr., MD, said in a statement that the RLI will benefit from having Lexa on board.

“We are thrilled to have a radiologist with Dr. Lexa’s sterling business credentials as the RLI’s new medical director. His worldwide medical and business experience is a tremendous asset to RLI and to RLI participants who have access to one of the foremost medical business experts,” Thorwarth said.

More information about the RLI is available at its website.