Join us August 25-26 in Omaha as we celebrate innovation and crown the winner live at Cassling’s Investing In You Educational Summit.
Since 1984, Cassling’s mission has been simple: to strengthen community healthcare. We understand the importance of empowering and recognizing healthcare facilities who are fostering innovative imaging programs to give their patients, families and providers the best of the best, as close to home as possible.
Our inaugural Imaging for Impact Award program highlights organizations who are doing just that. We thank everyone who took the time to submit their application. After a rigorous review by a panel of healthcare professionals, three facilities stood out for their contributions to keeping care local and improving patient outcomes.
We are excited to announce these three finalists to you today. Each will take part in an educational panel at Cassling’s Investing in You Summit, August 26-27 at the Scott Conference Center in Omaha, Nebraska. After discussing each finalists’ improvement strategies, we’ll reveal the winner of the award live on stage.
These finalists exemplify best practices in imaging care and innovation taking place around the country, and we’re honored to highlight their efforts.
Meet the Finalists
- Children’s Health, Plano, Texas
As a pediatric-centered organization, Children’s Health believes innovation begins with empathy. Tammy Elliot, MRI Safety Officer, spotted a critical communication gap for deaf and hard-of-hearing patients undergoing MRI scans. The challenge was clear: patients must remove hearing aids before entering the MRI suite, and interpreters aren’t permitted inside the zone, leaving many patients unable to understand instructions or communicate discomfort during the procedure.
After receiving input from Child Life Specialists and ASL interpreters, they partnered with NordicNeuroLab, who developed and installed a software update that allows technologists to send messages directly to the patient’s screen. This solution is said to already improve patient outcomes and reduce anxiety. Children’s Health’s success has even sparked additional inclusion opportunities, such as offering disposable hijabs to Muslim patients.
- Clearwater Valley Health, Orofino, Idaho
In remote communities, access to basic health services has long been a challenge. Clearwater Valley Health and Radiology Manager Britney Summerfield saw this gap and took action, focusing on breast cancer screening. In February 2025, Summerfield and her colleague launched a Mobile Mammography Program designed to bring high-quality breast imaging directly to patients in underserved areas. The two-person team split responsibilities between strategic planning and coordination and ensured that mammography workflows adapted well to the mobile environments.
Together, they overcame hurdles, partnered with local clinics and developed educational materials, improving patient outcomes and strengthening connections with the communities they serve. The initiative currently serves two critical access hospitals and two outlying clinics.
- Nebraska Medicine, Omaha, Nebraska
Led by Radiology Operations Manager Becky Wolf, the 85-member Diagnostic Radiology team at Nebraska Medicine has sought to improve in the areas of recruitment, mentorship, onboarding and continuous quality improvement through its ITEACH values: Innovation, Teamwork, Excellence, Accountability, Courage and Healing.
One standout initiative is the Student Technologist Trainee Program, which offers hands-on training and mentorship. By aligning with academic and departmental demands, the program has become a reliable pipeline for new talent, improving overall retention and ensuring a steady path of knowledgeable technologists. A key element of their strategy was the implementation of a new role: Radiology Professional Development Specialist. New hires now receive personalized support, resulting in lower turnover and higher confidence among staff.
Investing In You Educational Summit Panel
During the session ‘Imaging for Impact: Best Practices for Improving Access & Outcomes,’ you can hear from each Imaging for Impact Award finalist about their innovative strategies.
Cassling’s Chief Operating Officer, Brian Bradfield, is moderating the panel, and we can’t wait for you to hear firsthand about the incredible work from each organization.
The Investing In You Educational Summit lets imaging leaders, technologists and administrators turn best practices into measurable impact, no matter your facility type or size.
Register today to experience this event live and in person and earn ASRT-approved CE credits. Don’t miss the chance to ask your questions, learn how these teams achieved success and take best practices home with you.
Can’t make it to Omaha? Watch the livestream taking place on the same day! View here.