RSNA Takes Imaging Research Concerns to Capitol Hill
RSNA members met with congressional staff to spotlight the impact of steady NIH investment
As Congress launches its annual appropriations process this spring, RSNA leaders and volunteers took their case for sustained medical imaging research funding directly to Capitol Hill. They urged lawmakers to protect federal investment that helps move breakthroughs from the lab into everyday patient care.
For the third consecutive year, RSNA participated in a Capitol Hill advocacy day to advance medical imaging research. Convened by the Academy for Radiology and Biomedical Imaging Research, the Future of Health: Medical Imaging Research Hill Day brought together 16 professional societies to deliver a unified message: stable, robust federal support is essential to maintain U.S. leadership in medical innovation and improved outcomes across specialties that rely on imaging.
RSNA’s continued participation in these meetings demonstrates its ongoing commitment to elevating radiology in federal policy conversations, highlighting how imaging research strengthens diagnosis, guides treatment and supports long-term disease management.
“Imaging is central to clinical decision-making across medicine, from diagnosis through longitudinal disease management,” said Alex Towbin, MD, associate chief medical information officer at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and chair of RSNA’s Government Relations Committee. “Federal investment in imaging research supports not only new technologies, but also the evidence and infrastructure required to integrate those advances into routine care. It is critical that policymakers understand that connection.”
Why Spring Matters for Advocacy
The timing of Hill Day is intentional. Spring marks the start of the congressional appropriations cycle, following the release of the President’s budget proposal for the fiscal year.
During the spring and early summer, lawmakers and their staff actively gather input to inform funding decisions for all federal agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is the world’s leading supporter of biomedical research.
With 2026 as an election year, congressional calendars tighten as many members of Congress spend more time campaigning in their home districts. At the same time, election cycles may make policymakers especially attentive to constituent perspectives and policy priorities, creating opportunities for advocates to highlight issues that matter most to their communities.
For RSNA members who participated in this year’s Hill Day, the significance of this timing—and the opportunity it presents—shaped how they approached their conversations.
“Physicians and scientists see firsthand how NIH-funded discoveries translate into better care for patients,” said Jana Ivanidze, MD, PhD, associate professor of radiology and director of brain PET at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City.“Sharing those experiences with policymakers can help highlight the value of sustained research investment and the importance of supporting physician-scientists throughout their careers.”
Preparation for Hill Day begins months in advance, with structured coaching and briefing sessions designed to help physician advocates feel confident and prepared. They learn how to distill complex imaging science into clear, concise messages that resonate with policymakers and their staff.
The emphasis is on relevance. “As researchers, we are used to explaining our work to colleagues who already understand the field, but advocacy requires stepping back and asking: What problem are we trying to solve, and why does it matter for patients?” Dr. Ivanidze said.
A Day on Capitol Hill
On most Hill Days, advocates meet with House and Senate staffers who juggle multiple policy areas and may have limited familiarity with radiology or imaging research.These meetings are often brief—sometimes just 15 to 30 minutes—making clear, focused messaging essential.
“A key skill I’ve tried to develop is communicating what we do in radiology and interventional radiology in a way that’s universally understood. It’s not too dissimilar from how we discuss treatment options with patients, honing explanations so they are clear and comprehensive, but also accessible to those without a medical background.”
— RAHUL SHETH, MD, associate professor interventional radiology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and member of the Research Subcommittee of RSNA’s Government Relations Committee
According to Dr. Ivanidze, it is important to communicate quickly and without jargon, framing the research around the problem it addresses to make the messaging as straightforward as possible. “Connecting the science directly to patient care and public benefit helps make the importance of federal research investment clear,” she said.
For Samantha Zuckerman, MD, associate professor of clinical radiology and vice chief of breast imaging at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia, preparing for Hill Day underscored how patient-centered communication applies beyond the clinical setting.
“In my everyday work, I've always spoken with patients in understandable, relatable ways, guiding them from diagnosis to next steps and helping them feel supported, even in the most difficult moments,” she said. “Preparing for Hill Day has that same approach to a new audience. I'm bringing the way I speak to patients into the way I speak to lawmakers.”
Despite the fast pace, the day offered valuable opportunities to connect. Walking between Senate and House buildings, navigating tight schedules and shifting topics can be exhausting, but advocates say the experience is also energizing.
The day concluded with a MedTech showcase in the Rayburn House Office Building foyer. There, researchers presented hands-on, interactive exhibits highlighting cutting-edge medical imaging technologies and research advances.
Sustaining Advocacy Year-Round
Meetings and conversations held during Hill Day help establish long-term relationships with congressional staff and position RSNA as a trusted expert resource on medical imaging and research-related issues.
Beyond Capitol Hill visits, RSNA’s Government Relations Committee regularly engages with federal agencies and policymakers by responding to requests for information from the NIH and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, offering expert guidance on emerging policy issues and participating in coalitions that represent and protect the field of radiology.
Importantly, engaging in advocacy gives researchers—even early in their career—a uniquely powerful role in helping policymakers understand why continued investment in imaging research is so important.
“Early career researchers are the individuals conducting the studies and developing the ideas that will shape the future of our specialty and the care we provide to patients,” Dr. Towbin said. “When they participate in advocacy, they bring a firsthand perspective on how research funding supports new discoveries and advances in medical imaging.”
As federal policy continues to shape the future of medical imaging, RSNA leaders note that advocacy is becoming an increasingly critical component of the Society’s leadership in radiology. That work extends beyond a single Hill Day through sustained relationships, strategic preparation and year-round engagement with policymakers and federal agencies, including continued emphasis on NIH support for imaging research.
For More Information
Visit the RSNA Government Relations website.
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