RSNA Launches Challenge to Spotlight Projects Advancing Environmental Sustainability in Radiology

RSNA has announced the RSNA Imaging Sustainability Challenge, a new opportunity for radiology departments, divisions and multidisciplinary teams to showcase projects that advance environmental sustainability in imaging while supporting high-quality patient care and responsible resource use.

RSNA welcomes challenge submissions ranging from pilot programs and workflow improvements to broader departmental initiatives. Projects may be in ideation, implementation or more mature stages and may highlight demonstrated results or projected environmental benefits.

“The RSNA Imaging Sustainability Challenge was created to help translate growing awareness into practical, measurable action,” said RSNA Environmental Sustainability Committee (ESC) chair Kate Hanneman, MD, MPH, a cardiac radiologist, associate professor and vice chair of research at the University of Toronto. “By highlighting innovative and scalable solutions from across the radiology community, we hope to inspire meaningful improvements that align high-quality patient care with operational efficiency, responsible resource use and environmental sustainability.”

The inaugural challenge is centered on the theme Aligning Care, Cost and Sustainability. Submissions should highlight how environmental sustainability can support quality, safety, operational efficiency and stewardship in imaging settings.

Eligible projects may include pilot programs, workflow improvements, education efforts, procurement or inventory changes, scanner utilization strategies, energy-saving practices, waste-reduction efforts or other initiatives that can inform, inspire and be adapted by radiology teams in diverse practice settings.

Examples of potential project areas include reducing single-use waste, improving scheduling and scanner idle time, powering down imaging equipment when not in use, reducing repeat imaging, improving protocol efficiency and identifying reusable or lower-waste alternatives where appropriate.

RSNA fosters research, education and partnerships to minimize the environmental impact of medical imaging and adopt sustainable practices throughout radiology. By gathering examples from a wide range of institutions and practice settings and showcasing outstanding challenge entries, RSNA aims to help members of the imaging community learn from one another and accelerate progress toward more sustainable care delivery.

“The RSNA Imaging Sustainability Challenge recognizes the innovative and practical solutions being developed to advance environmental sustainability and clinical excellence in medical imaging,” said Maura J. Brown, MD, MA, RSNA ESC member and lead for the RSNA Imaging Sustainability Challenge ad hoc group.

Dr. Brown, a diagnostic radiologist and medical lead for diagnostic imaging at BC Cancer in Vancouver, Canada, added, “The challenge is an exciting opportunity to highlight low carbon, high quality projects leading the way to a sustainable climate resilient healthcare ecosystem.”

Submissions are due September 30, 2026.

For More Information

Learn more about the RSNA Imaging Sustainability Challenge.

Explore RSNA resources on environmental sustainability in medical imaging.