Mission Health and Asheville Radiology announce new collaboration

Mission Health and Asheville Radiology Associates (ARA) are announcing a new collaboration to improve patient access to state of the art, high quality, highly efficient imaging centers close to home, and to more than 40 ARA physicians, including specialists in various subspecialties of diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology and vascular surgery.

Effective Feb. 16, 2015, Asheville Imaging Center and Asheville MRI combined as Mission Imaging Services, supporting clinicians in making the  most effective diagnoses and decisions about treatment, essential in improving the health of individuals and of our population. The Asheville Breast Center will become Mission Breast Center, providing mammography in Asheville while Mission Imaging Services will provide mammography at Mission Outpatient Services – Clyde.  These centers offer quality mammography tailored to meet the needs of women, supporting early detection and treatment of breast cancers.   Mission Health will assume management of ARA’s Carolina Vascular Center and The Vein Specialists later this spring.

These changes will improve access and choice for patients who may now select to have their mammography, MRI or other diagnostic services performed in the hospital-based or outpatient setting that best meets their needs. Patients will also benefit from enhanced efficiencies in care, including an integrated medical record.

"This new structure helps both Mission and ARA prepare effectively to manage population health," said Bryon Dickerson, MD, CEO of Asheville Radiology Associates.  "It positions both entities to meet patient needs efficiently and effectively. This change allows Mission and ARA to adapt to changing times while continuing to provide the highest quality radiological, interventional and vascular services to our region.”

As part of this transition, Mission Health has hired an Executive Director of Radiology to serve as an important liaison and partner with ARA in leading radiology services system-wide.

"These collaborations will help us ensure our community has access to consistently high quality imaging services close to home,” said Jill Hoggard Green, PhD, RN, COO of Mission Health and President of Mission Hospital and Mission Medical Associates.  "This is truly an example of putting the right resources together in the right way, to assure optimal care for the patients who depend on us."