What do you do when you have an inclination toward service, an inner “science nerd” that loves technology, and a passion for learning? For Jacqui Rose, the answer turned out to be a career in health care. What started as a radiologic technology degree earned in 1988 evolved into a 32-year medical imaging career, 28 of which have been spent in management roles.
Today, Rose is the director of medical imaging, telecommunications, IT, and lab at Upper Valley Medical Center and Miami Valley Hospital North, which are associated with the five-hospital Premier Health system, headquartered in Dayton, Ohio. Moreover, she is the 2019-2020 president-elect of the Association for Medical Imaging Management (AHRA).
Jacqui Rose (third from left) is president-elect of the Association for Medical Imaging Management (AHRA).
“When I was trying to decide what I wanted to do when I grew up, I knew I wanted to get into health care because I knew I wanted to help people,” Rose said. “I started in ultrasound, and found my love in diagnostic radiology. That fit my needs, and I was able to help others in a way that fit my purpose.”
Rose also has found significant strength of purpose in her out-of-work volunteerism. While her children were growing up, she dedicated herself to their activities; as they entered their college years, she shifted her focus to her own professional sphere. She began lending her time to the AHRA Radiology Administration Certification Committee (RACC), which oversees the Certified Radiology Administrator (CRA) certification program.
After five-and-a-half years on the RACC, Rose was elected to the AHRA board of directors, and was named AHRA president-elect last year.
In August 2020, she will assume the presidency of the organization. As she continues to develop a strategic plan for her upcoming term, Rose said she wants AHRA to explore ways to transform its operations to meet “the new norm” of a country in the grip of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
“Although it doesn’t drive everything that we do, it really changed our perspective when COVID struck, and we realized we’ve got to be more nimble and agile to meet the needs of our members and non-members in a different way,” Rose said.
“We’re looking at redesigning our approach for members and non-members,” she said. “We’ll be continuing on and building on what the AHRA diversity group has developed, and see how that fits into our transformation process for our association.”
Diversity and inclusion are key areas in which Rose would like to see the association advance under her presidency. Rose said she would like to see “a transformed inclusion model that ensures the survivability of the association” so that it can sustain its operations in the future.
“One of the things we realized loud and clear during COVID is that we have a solid foundation, but we can’t take that for granted,” she said. “We have to make sure that we sustain that for our members for the future. We’re going to be looking at everything we do and how we do it to make sure that our members and our customers are getting everything they need to be successful.”
Jacqui Rose is active in Rotary Club.
Beyond her work with AHRA, Rose also serves on the executive committee for the United Way of Miami County, Ohio. She will be its second vice-chair next year, with a planned ascension to chairing the organization in a few more years. In addition, Rose is a longstanding member of the local chapter for the Troy, Ohio Rotary Club, of which she has recently been named vice president. Furthermore, she’s participated for years in a lunch buddy program, mentoring at-risk youth in the local school system through a series of lunch dates.
Asked why she feels compelled to participate in so many organizations, Rose said, self-evidently, “It’s just giving back.”
“I enjoy giving and spending time with others and learning and growing,” she said. “My mission and my purpose in life is to have a positive impact on every person I interact with. My other goal is to learn something from every person I interact with. All of these opportunities not only give me a chance to give back to my community, but also to learn and grow in new ways.”
Rose’s perspective on service has been informed by the leadership roles she has assumed both at work and in her private life. She believes her leadership of those she supervises influences their interactions “with people you don’t even see.” Rose views her role in terms of creating a place of safety and professionalism in a hospital setting where patients “are coming to us because they’re anxious and concerned.”
“They know something’s wrong; they don’t know what it is,” Rose said; by definition, the imaging department is there to offer useful insight that can help make things better.
A crafting hobbyist, Rose said she also tries to infuse workplace activities with “fun stuff that helps take the pressure off.
“What we do is hard, and we all need that outlet,” she said.
Rose also credits the love of her family – 24-year-old Alyssa is a third-year physical therapy doctorate student, and 27-year-old Brandon, a construction project manager – with fueling her pursuits. Her husband Tom is a design engineer who “keeps everything grounded and solid for me,” Rose said.
