RSNA Member Spotlight: Sergey Morozov, MD, PhD, MPH
Learn more about a fellow RSNA member
Sergey Morozov, MD, PhD, MPH, is an independent AI consultant, based in Belgium, and the head of research and development at the 3R Swiss Imaging Network in Sion, Switzerland. Dr. Morozov is a strong advocate for the thoughtful and practical integration of AI in medical imaging and has led major efforts to expand health care access. He has co-authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications with more than 2,800 citations and an h‑index in the mid‑20s making him a highly-cited researcher globally.
From 2015 to 2022, Dr. Morozov served as the chief regional radiology officer for Moscow and CEO of the Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine. He led the creation of the Unified Radiological Information Service (URIS), overseeing radiology operations for a population of 13 million across more than 100 facilities and 1,300 imaging systems. Under his leadership, URIS evolved into one of the world’s largest municipal teleradiology and AI ecosystems, enabling high-volume reporting, population-scale AI evaluation and measurable improvements in diagnostic quality and access.
In 2022, Dr. Morozov joined a Belgian startup developing an AI platform as chief innovation officer, reflecting his commitment to lifelong learning, innovation and collaboration across borders. He has served as president of the European Society of Medical Imaging Informatics (EuSoMII) and has been an active RSNA member since 2010.
What or who sparked your interest in radiology?
Since my school years in Moscow in the 1980s, I have been fascinated by computers. I explored programming in Garry Kasparov’s computer club and later realized that radiology perfectly bridges computing and medicine.
By the time I entered medical school, I knew I wanted to bring computer tools into health care. When I was a third-year medical student at Sechenov Moscow Medical University, dozens of new radiology devices, including X-ray, nuclear medicine, and CT/MRI/US machines, were installed across Moscow’s clinics, which completely transformed my interests. I was thrilled to find the intersection of computers and health care.
My strongest role models were my Moscow-based teachers, Professors Ternovoy and Sinitsyn, who worked at the forefront of radiology development and had strong clinical foundations, especially in cardiology. I completed both my PhD and doctoral thesis under their guidance. My observerships at the University of Oslo in Norway and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, as well as the MPH program at Harvard University in Boston, opened new horizons.
Internationally, I was inspired by Andrei Holodny, MD, and Alexander R. Margulis, MD, particularly his book on leadership. Within Europe, I found a community where I truly belonged—first through the European Society of Radiology, management in radiology committee, and later EuSoMII. Presenting my first research at the 2002 Cannes European Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine and Biology conference as a sixth-year medical student made me feel part of the thriving international radiology community.
What has been your best professional accomplishment?
Building the URIS for Moscow stands out as a defining achievement, which transformed health care delivery for one of the world's largest cities.
In partnership with Belgian company AGFA Healthcare, we built a lasting digital ecosystem serving 10 million patients monthly and processed over 150 million studies. Our teleradiology center included 170 radiologists delivering two million reports in 2020-2021 alone. It later expanded to 300 full-time employees. We integrated a portfolio of 50 AI solutions from 20 international partners to analyze millions of studies during the COVID-19 pandemic and afterwards, doubling radiologist productivity and improving diagnostic consistency.
What makes me proudest is the impact: expanding advanced imaging to the primary care level, launching lung cancer screening programs and building systems that improve diagnostic quality in real time. This work earned multiple national awards for innovation and contributions during COVID-19. Most importantly, I improved clinical quality at the personal, organizational and national levels by gradually implementing new management methods and IT solutions.
Serving as president of EuSoMII from 2017 to 2019 and co-editing with Dr. Erik Ranschaert and Dr. Paul Algra the first comprehensive book on AI in medical imaging with Springer are experiences that also hold special meaning.
In a nutshell, I feel that my major professional accomplishment is building systems and communities in health care across borders.
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced in your career?
After seven years of leading the Moscow Diagnostics and Telemedicine Center, I chose to focus on advancing radiology innovation and AI adoption across broader European and global contexts. Leaving my established environment, colleagues, and the team I had built was challenging, yet it opened new opportunities for growth and collaboration.
With support from my family, international colleagues and professional networks such as RSNA and the American College of Radiology (ACR), I successfully transitioned and continued my professional path in Europe. This new chapter required both resilience and adaptability, as I redefined my role within a rapidly evolving field.
Since joining the Osimis AI platform as chief innovation officer, and now leading R&D for the 3R Swiss Imaging Network—with 22 imaging centers serving over 300,000 patients annually—I’ve been able to continue contributing to clinical excellence and the integration of AI in radiology practice.
This experience strengthened my belief that professional purpose transcends geography and that integrity, curiosity and collaboration are the foundations of lasting progress.
What RSNA resources do you enjoy using?
RSNA has been instrumental throughout my career. I've been a member since 2010 and served on the Committee on International Radiology Education and the Educational Exhibits Awards Committee.
The annual meeting itself is invaluable—it's where cutting-edge research meets practical implementation. The scientific sessions provide evidence that shapes how we approach AI integration and quality management. The exhibit halls help me stay current with emerging technologies and connect with industry partners to discuss solutions to clinical challenges.
RSNA’s courses on imaging informatics and AI have been critical for developing training programs tailored to practicing radiologists.
What I appreciate most is RSNA's commitment to international collaboration and bringing together clinicians, researchers, industry partners and policymakers. This multidisciplinary approach aligns perfectly with my belief that breakthroughs come from diverse perspectives working together. At RSNA, I have built so many friendships and found mentors, including Drs. Bijan Bijan, Pablo Ros, Geraldine McGinty, Frank Lexa and many others.
