Stewarding 'Radiology's' Next Chapter

Suhny Abbara, MD, is a professor of radiology and senior associate consultant at the Cardiothoracic Imaging Division at Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL. Until 2024, he was tenured professor of radiology, division chief and fellowship director at UT Southwestern Medical Center, in Dallas. While there, he established a 3D imaging laboratory and created a CT operations committee. Prior to that he was the section director of cardiac imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital and associate professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School. The focus of Dr. Abbara’s research has been on cardiac CT and MRI, lung cancer screening and early detection. From 2019 to 2025, Dr. Abbara was the editor of RSNA’s Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging, a bimonthly journal emphasizing research advances and technical developments in medical imaging that drive cardiothoracic medicine. Since January 2026 he has been Editor of Radiology and Editor-in-Chief of RSNA’s journal portfolio.

“Improving health through imaging” is the principle that has guided my career and that is at the core of the mission of Radiology. I am deeply honored to step into the role of Editor of Radiology and Editor-in-Chief of RSNA’s journal portfolio, and grateful for the trust placed in me by this extraordinary community.

Radiology has served as the field’s journal of record for more than a century. Its influence rests not only on scientific excellence, but also on relevance, publishing work that shapes how radiologists practice and how patients are cared for. Preserving that legacy while thoughtfully moving that legacy forward is both a responsibility and an opportunity.

My own appreciation for the impact of journals began early. As a trainee, I submitted my first manuscript to Radiology with hope and apprehension. When the reviews arrived, I was struck not by rejection or judgment, but rather by a sense of generosity. The reviewers selflessly helped us make the science better. That experience shaped my view of peer review as an act of service—one that strengthens scholarship and ultimately, patient care. It is a perspective I carry with me today.

My vision for Radiology and the RSNA journals centers on three priorities:

First, scientific excellence with clinical impact. We will continue to seek definitive studies, meaningful trials and authoritative reviews that matter to practice today and inform the future. Methodologic strength, transparency, ethical integrity and readability will remain nonnegotiable.

Second, an editorial culture that supports people. Authors deserve a fair, efficient and constructive process. Reviewers deserve recognition, training and appropriate tools. Editorial boards deserve trust and the freedom to lead within their domains. Imaging science is a global endeavor that extends beyond any single region. Our editorial processes and perspectives will reflect the diversity of the communities across subspecialties, geographies, practice settings and career stages. 

Third, responsible innovation. Imaging science is evolving rapidly, from AI to new publication formats and ways of contextualizing and presenting complex research. This evolution is fueled in part by the rapid integration of AI into image acquisition, analysis, interpretation and workflow. Our journals will lead this transformation not only by publishing high-quality AI research, but also by setting standards for science, transparency, validation and clinical relevance.

We will continue to explore how emerging tools can responsibly support scholarly publishing itself, while preserving trust, integrity and editorial independence.

While each journal within RSNA’s portfolio has its own voice, scope and community, we will work together, while respecting that individuality, to elevate shared standards and experiences ensuring that excellence is consistent across the portfolio.

Ultimately, the future of Radiology will not be defined by any single editor or editorial board. It will be shaped by the collective efforts of authors, reviewers, readers and volunteers around the world who believe in the value of imaging science.