By John Wallace
Good things really do come to those who wait, as evidenced by James Frymire’s path to a career in radiology.
Frymire is an experienced health care administrative leader with vast experience in cross-functional team building, adaptive leadership and talent management. His expertise includes radiology diagnostics, practice management (surgery, radiology, dental), training, development, compliance, security oversight, personnel management, schedule coordination and customer satisfaction.
He explains that his unique path has equipped him with the ability to combine vision and ingenuity with well-developed project management and leadership qualities to support organizational effectiveness, reach and overall expansion.
As a health care manager/radiology supervisor at Portsmouth Naval Hospital he led 48 technicians performing 12,000 routine X-rays, portable, fluoroscopic and C-arm procedures with less than a 4% repeat rate. He said that he spearheaded diagnostic assurance control program and increased staff education and training; decreased repeated exams by 20% and increased patient satisfaction by 30%.
He is currently transitioning from the military to a contracting job with Naples Community Hospital with a goal to once again serve as a radiology leader.
“I’ve been in and out of the profession for a few years, and I’m looking forward to returning fulltime and taking what I’ve learned from other specialties and departments back into the imaging community,” Frymire says. “I enjoyed to attending this year’s AHRA convention in Nashville, I was able to connect with some familiar colleagues and meet some new ones as well.”
So, how did it all begin?
“I was in a unique situation when I joined the military, and I didn’t have the choice to become an X-ray technologist upon enlistment,” Frymire explains. “I had to serve a couple of years before I could apply for the military’s program. I was accepted to attend shortly after and thus acquired a trade (X-ray) which had always been on the top of my list.”
“I’ve always been fascinated with the human body and anatomy and X-ray was the way to go to challenge myself. This passion led me to being recognized within the military’s radiology program and achieve the ‘Top Clinical Student’ award within my class,” he says.
As a leader, Frymire enjoys helping others achieve success.
“I have a transformational leadership style, where I enjoy working alongside my direct reports to show them that I wouldn’t ask them to do something that I, myself, wouldn’t do or haven’t already done,” he says. “I thoroughly enjoy mentoring and teaching other techs and assisting them with developing creative and innovative ways to capture the best possible image. In the end, I believe this approach will positively change individuals by turning followers into leaders.”
His desire to helps others can be traced back to his experiences receiving guidance from mentors.
“I’ve had a couple of mentors and they’ve helped me develop into the best technologist and leader I can be. They’ve given me skills and attributes – such as setting goals, motivation and identifying resources – that I try to instill into my direct reports and/or colleagues,” he says. “A lesson that I’ve learned over the years is that you don’t always see the direct and immediate impact you may have on someone as it can take some time before you see the results. Currently, I’m not mentoring someone within the imaging profession, but I am mentoring a couple of folks within the health care industry.”
Away from work, Frymire spends time with his “beautiful” family.
“I’m married and have four beautiful children ages 21, 14, 8 and 5,” he says.
