Changemaker Award Nominees

The RAD Honors Changemaker Award honors an outstanding healthcare executive who has demonstrated inspiring, motivational, and passionate actions that have made a notable impact within their organization, or the industry at large. Efforts may include, but are not limited to, the mentorship of emerging leaders; pioneering new processes and ideas that bring positive change to staff or patients in their practice; or dedicated advocacy efforts to petition, defend, and champion for better patient access to imaging services.

Please review the final two nominees below and cast your vote!

Ron Howrigon, President and CEO of Fulcrum Strategies, is one of the most influential voices shaping payor contracting and managed care strategy for physician practices today. Through his work representing practices in negotiations with health insurers, Ron helps radiology leaders secure stronger reimbursement terms while protecting long-term financial sustainability.

A sought-after educator and advisor, Ron generously shares his expertise with the radiology business management community through conferences, webinars, board sessions, and strategy forums. His guidance equips practice leaders with practical negotiation frameworks, benchmarking tools, and data-driven strategies that can be implemented immediately to strengthen contracting outcomes.

Ron’s impact is amplified by his unique perspective from both sides of the negotiating table. Before founding Fulcrum Strategies, he spent 18 years in managed care leadership roles at organizations including Kaiser Permanente, Cigna, and Blue Cross Blue Shield—insight that helps practices better understand payor strategy and negotiate from a position of strength.

Through national media appearances, thought leadership, and ongoing education, Ron empowers radiology leaders to advocate effectively for fair reimbursement and sustainable patient care, embodying the spirit of the RAD Honors Changemaker Award.

Adam Kirell, Senior Director of Channel Sales at ImagineSoftware, brings more than 17 years of experience as a healthcare technology entrepreneur, executive, and thought leader. As co-founder and former CEO of Within Health—an AI-driven radiology workflow company acquired by ImagineSoftware in 2023—Adam has been at the forefront of advancing innovative solutions that strengthen radiology operations and patient care.

Adam is widely recognized for his ability to translate complex technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, into practical insights that radiology leaders can immediately apply. Through engaging educational sessions at the 2025 RBMA PaRADigm Meeting and SYNC Conference, along with webinars and ongoing discussions with members, he has helped demystify AI and empower practices to confidently navigate emerging technology.

His work focuses on improving communication, strengthening workflows, and ensuring follow-up recommendations are tracked, helping practices reduce risk, capture missed follow-up exams, and improve patient outcomes.

Beyond innovation, Adam is a connector and mentor who actively shares knowledge and fosters collaboration across the radiology community. His leadership and commitment to advancing both technology and people exemplify the spirit of the RAD Honors Changemaker Award.