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New RANZCR President

The incoming President of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR), Dr Lance Lawler, has commenced his two-year term with commitments to highlight the role of radiologists in achieving positive patient outcomes and address the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the profession.

Dr Lawler is a former CEO of the Pacific Radiology Group, the largest private medical organisation in New Zealand, with almost 50 branches in New Zealand and Australia. In early 2017, Pacific Radiology became one of 24 organisations worldwide involved in IBM's Watson Health collaborative to help develop cognitive computing tools in medical imaging.1

Dr Lawler is the first New Zealander since 1995 to serve as President of RANZCR, the peak bi-national body for overseeing and improving the standards of training and practice in clinical radiology and radiation oncology in Australia and New Zealand.

A consultant radiologist practising in both Australia and New Zealand, Dr Lawler brings more than 35 years’ training and professional expertise to his role as RANZCR President.

Dr Lawler said he is looking forward to advancing RANZCR’s priorities of policy and advocacy, upholding quality standards and the training of junior specialists.

“Radiologists have a hugely important role in modern healthcare. This requires good relationships with the other medical colleges, policy makers and funders, and I am looking forward to further developing these during my tenure,” he said.

Dr Lawler expects to devote much of his term as President overseeing the implementation of RANZCR’s recently-launched teleradiology standards and lobbying the Australian and New Zealand governments to improve access and affordability of healthcare for patients.

“I also look forward to promoting the work of radiation oncology, a critical component of cancer care. Radiation oncology is a safe and effective treatment for cancer, contributing to 40 per cent of cancer cures,” Dr Lawler said.

“RANZCR continues to help train world-class clinical radiologists and radiation oncologists and we are committed to having a positive and lasting impact on patient care and the professional life of our members.

“I am dedicated to ensuring all patients receive the same high-quality healthcare, regardless of where and when they need it. Therefore, the promotion of access to safe, appropriate, effective and quality services is a key priority for me and our College," he said.

Taken from Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) Media Release 15 January 2018