This month’s Rising Star is Keck Medicine of USC/Norris Cancer Center of USC Manager of Imaging Services Serage M. Rahima, ARMRIT, LEAN Six Sigma Yellow Belt, CRA. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Governors State University and is pursuing an EMHA at USC Sol Price School of Public Policy.
ICE Magazine recently found out more about this future leader.
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, and moved to Southern California in 2018
Q: Where did you receive your imaging training/education?
A: I am a certified MRI technologist by ARMRIT and went to Aquarius School of Science in Des Plaines, Illinois, and most recently I have also earned my Certified Radiology Administrator (CRA) from AHRA.
Q: How did you first decide to start working in imaging?
A: My father was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in 2009. At the time, I was in retail and my father was hoping all of his children would pursue something in the field of medicine. I saw how big of a role imaging played in his care and treatment and I told him that I would pursue a path in radiology. My father passed away two days after the start of my radiology program. My final promise to him was that I would finish what I started and leave a legacy.
Q: Why did you choose to get into this field?
A: Radiology is personal to me. Throughout my father’s battle with cancer, I was very fortunate to witness him being cared for by some of the most compassionate and dedicated health care professionals. It resonated with me and inspired me. I saw how much of an impact even the simple things like a smile or kind greeting had on somebody like my father who was fighting for his life. I wanted to have that same kind of effect on patients. It has shaped how I view every single one of my patients … like they are my family. I treat and care for them in the same manner that I wanted him to be treated.
Q: What do you like most about your position?
A: As a manager, I love being a team leader and having my staff enjoy what they do. I value each and every one of their efforts and contributions and I never let them forget that. My staff know that I am always available for them. I always tell them that I view them as my co-workers who work with me and not for me. I need to do my part as a leader to help and support them in any way I can. I am truly humbled and blessed to be in my position. I also love interacting with our patients and being able to bring a smile to their faces whenever possible. Like I said, radiology is personal to me, so any time I can impact a patient’s day in a positive way, I live for those moments. It’s such a gratifying feeling when they share how your kindness has helped them through some of the darkest and scariest times of their lives.
Q: What interests you the most about the imaging field?
A: I am amazed at how far imaging technology has come and now with developments like artificial intelligence that allows for automatic detection and immediate notification of abnormalities, it’s going to allow providers to treat patients faster and save more lives.
Q: What has been your greatest accomplishment in your field thus far?
A: I have had the privilege of working alongside some of the brightest minds in medicine at Keck Medicine of USC. If I had to choose one, I would say it was participating in creating an MRI protocol for non-conditional pacemakers. These are patients who otherwise would not have been able to have an MRI due to the nature of their device being incapable of being imaged safely in an MRI scanner. We worked with EP cardiology, the MRI guru himself Frank Shellock and our renowned radiologists to create a program and protocol to allow these patients to have an MRI safely under the supervision of cardiology. It has impacted the quality of care for so many of our patients.
Q: What goals do you have for yourself in the next 5 years?
A: After I complete my Masters of Executive Health Administration, I am hoping to earn my fellowship from AHRA and one day be a director of imaging if the opportunity presents itself. •
