Strategic Radiology Coalition Expands Footprint
The Strategic Radiology coalition has expanded its national presence by adding two new member practices. Evansville Radiology joined the alliance, adding clinical depth in its region, while Radiology Chartered's inclusion expands collaboration across the Upper Midwest, reflecting a trend of radiology group alignment.
- Strategic Radiology operates as a coalition of independent, physician-owned practices, designed to give its members the benefits of scale—like group purchasing power and shared operational efficiencies—while allowing them to maintain their autonomy. The coalition is 100% owned by its radiologist member shareholders and led by CEO Dr. Scott Bundy, a practicing neuroradiologist. - With the addition of Evansville Radiology and Radiology Chartered, the coalition now includes 48 practices, representing over 2,200 radiologists across 30 states and serving more than 300 hospitals and 450 imaging centers. - The inclusion of Radiology Chartered, a 15-physician practice founded in 1969, marks Strategic Radiology's first entry into Wisconsin. The group performs around 400,000 procedures annually and is a key partner for the Emplify Health system, which includes 11 hospitals. - Evansville Radiology is a sub-specialty group in Indiana with 12 physicians covering areas like neuroradiology and vascular & interventional radiology. Their affiliation with local health systems, including leadership roles in numerous hospital committees, demonstrates the deep integration that mobile imaging providers must navigate. - This expansion reflects a larger trend of consolidation in the radiology sector, where the number of radiology-only practices decreased by nearly 32% between 2014 and 2023, while the number of radiologists in groups of 100 or more grew significantly. This trend is driven by pressures from declining reimbursement and the need for capital to invest in new technology. - The shift toward larger, consolidated groups is directly influencing the outpatient imaging boom by creating entities with the scale and sub-specialty depth to support high-volume freestanding centers. As hospitals face pressure to reduce costs, they are increasingly entering into joint ventures or other partnerships to expand their own freestanding imaging footprint. - For mobile imaging providers, the growth of large coalitions like Strategic Radiology creates more sophisticated buyers who leverage group purchasing for services and technology. It also signals a move by private practices to strengthen their position against hospital employment and corporate takeovers, preserving their control over care delivery sites.
