By John Wallace
MU Health Care Radiology Manager William Keller, MBA, RT(R), (CT), (MR), is a trailblazer in the imaging world. He is a leader with a successful career who continues to strive for more. It is a journey that began, as it does for so many, after being introduced to imaging as a patient when he was a child.
“I had an injury in high school that caused me to have a few radiology procedures. It piqued my interest and made me look at opportunities to begin training in radiology,” Keller explains.
He considers himself very fortunate to have found imaging early in life and to be with his current employer.
There is a saying in the University of Missouri (MU) Health Care MRI department, “If you can work at MU Health Care as an MRI technologist, there is no place in the country that you could not work.”
“This is referencing that our MRI techs are some of the most highly trained and well-rounded staff that I have ever worked with. They are always pushing the limits and implementing new scanning techniques,” Keller explained.
When asked about his greatest accomplishment, Keller mentions one of those innovations.
My greatest accomplishment has been a “brand new procedure with hyperpolarized xenon gas for lung imaging. It has been a great opportunity to work for MU Health Care with the advancements in multiple different and new technologies.”
It helps that going to work does not feel like a job for Keller.
“I get to do what I love every day in learning about new technologies that will save and improve lives in healthcare,” Keller said.
Looking into his crystal ball, Keller sees more innovations on the imaging horizon.
“There are many opportunities for advanced treatment for patients and, within imaging, there are always changes that enhance our ability to help the physicians diagnose the diseases and implement the treatment opportunities,” Keller said. “AI is going to make a big difference in enhancing the imaging capabilities of the equipment and shorten the time needed and/or increase the ability to detect disease.”
As a leader, Keller leans into the people he works with whether that is to support them when they need a hand or to nudge them forward in the pursuit of the next big thing.
“I try to do my best to learn and pass on knowledge to my people. As a technologist, I knew that I was good at pushing the boundaries of imaging,” he said.
Keller’s leadership style is a result, in part, to mentors who worked with him.
“When I was early into my career, I had a radiologist named Jeffery Turk that helped me to really understand the imaging process for MRI and CT while we were building a business for a freestanding outpatient imaging center,” Keller recalled. “It helped me understand the need for good quality equipment to provide the best imaging for the patients. We worked to implement a culture of pushing the limits and exploring new ways to provide better care for patients.”
“I am now doing my best to mentor 7 supervisors that report to me to help them with the process of passing on knowledge and making their staff the best that they can be,” he added.
Away from work, he and his wife serve as mentors and leaders to their six children between the ages of 8 and 28.
1. What is the last book you read? Or, what book are you reading currently? “Start with Why” by Simone Sinek
2. What is your favorite movie? Marvel Series
3. What is something most of your coworkers don’t know about you? I like to do woodworking projects and build things. My decompression from a stressful situation is relieved by manual labor and being able to think my way through complex building techniques.
4. Who is your mentor? No current mentor but have been influenced by many leaders in my lifetime.
5. What is one thing you do every morning to start your day? Some sort of minor exercise just to get awake and ready for the morning.
6. Best advice you ever received? Keep an open mind and always find a way to learn.
7. Who has had the biggest influence on your life? Dr. Jeffery Turk. He was an inspiration in his dedication to radiology and taught me about the value of having the best equipment and using it to care for the patients.
8. What would your superpower be? I can learn how to do anything and have a broad interest.
9. What are your hobbies? Golf, family, gardening, and building wood trinkets
10. What is your perfect meal? Any home cooked meal. I am the cook in the family and love to explore new recipes.
