Regardless of how big or small changes are, no one likes them. They're uncomfortable and take an adjustment period. No one is feeling this pain more than independent diagnostic testing facilities (IDTFs), as the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA) takes effect and 14 new standards from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) are enforced. In his article about outpatient imaging centers, Tor Valenza talks to industry experts who have a wealth of advice for IDTFs to help them remain open for business in the face of these changes.

At Imaging Economics, we're no strangers to change ourselves. Starting with the June 2006 issue, I became the magazine's editor, in addition to my role as editor of Medical Imaging, our sister publication. As you know, we redesigned and restructured the magazine, and we reshaped the way we deliver our content to you.

One of the changes that you've probably noticed is the "Webextend" box that appears throughout the print version of the magazine. Webextends point to editorial content that is posted exclusively online, such as in this month's Payor Watch (a summary of CMS's proposed carotid artery stenting changes), Imaging Informatics (a news brief about a partnership that has led to creating a mini-PACS), and the feature on breast imaging (the references for the article, complete with direct hyperlinks to the sources).

We also added a weekly e-newsletter, ADVISOR, which is delivered to subscribers' inboxes every Tuesday. Almost a year old, ADVISOR recently went through its own restructuring, during which we changed the individual topic categories. I'd love your feedback on these new sections—as well as any thoughts on the e-newsletter itself.

Another exciting change is an addition to the Editorial Advisory Board. Ryan K. Lee, MD, MBA, is a board-certified radiologist at Jeanes Hospital, Philadelphia, as well as Holy Redeemer Hospital, Meadowbrook, Pa. He also is an alternate member of the American College of Radiology's Coding and Nomenclature Committee. We're thrilled to have a coding and reimbursement specialist on our team.

We've also experienced a big staffing change. Last month, Cheryl Proval decided to step down from her position as the Editorial Director of Imaging Economics, a role she has served superbly and passionately for the past 9 years. Fear not, as Cheryl has not left us! You'll see her words of wisdom in "The Last Word," a monthly column in which she will share her views on the ever-changing field of radiology. Also, Cheryl interviewed Jim Collins, author of Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't, for this month's cover story. The feature addresses two pressing needs in radiology: leadership and culture. As Collins explains, without these two backbones, a practice will struggle with excellence. To go from good to great, radiology practices must change their way of thinking to ensure that the most effective people are in the jobs or roles that best suit them. It requires critically analyzing your business and making changes based on the information you discover.

As always, we are dedicated to helping radiologists, radiology administrators, and other health care executives meet the increasingly complex economic challenges of providing high-quality imaging in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. It's been our mission since 1987, and that's one thing that will never change.

Beginning with the May issues, Dan Anderson will be joining the Imaging Economics and Medical Imaging team as our new Editorial Director. Dan has extensive experience in business technology and a keen eye for industry trends. Please feel free to contact Dan directly at to share your thoughts on all things radiology. Together, maybe we can effect some changes of our own.

Andi Lucas, editor