By Erin Register
Originally from Sacramento, California, David Dacorro, 34, got into the imaging field due to the “many great influences throughout his career and the passion and drive to serve patients each and every day.” Dacorro, who has been in the imaging field for seven years, is currently the radiology manager at U.S. Navy Hospital in Okinawa, Japan.
“I have a sense of purpose to wake up in the morning to do a great job by exceeding patients’ expectations every time they have a procedure done,” Dacorro said.
ICE learned more about this “Rising Star” in a recent interview.
Q: What do you like most about your position?
A: I love the interaction and problem-solving skills involved when leading and managing people. I want to unlock everyone’s potential to be the best that they can possibly be, even though they might not believe in themselves. Maximizing and recognizing everyone’s talents/abilities should be a required skill every leader should have. There is no better feeling than coaching and building up your subordinates to reach their full potential.
Q: What interests you the most about the imaging field?
A: I love being a part of the process in trying to figure out and ultimately diagnose what is going on with the patient whenever they get an imaging procedure done. Whether it’s a CT, nuclear medicine or MRI scan, we as techs have a significant role in treating sick patients. Without us, there will be no high-quality images for the radiologist to read and diagnose. I also love the science behind every type of modality and how each modality has its own special way to acquire images.
Q: What has been your greatest accomplishment in your field thus far?
A: I think earning both my Certified Radiology Administrator (CRA) and Project Management Professional (PMP) certifications have been the greatest accomplishments I have achieved so far in my career. I am all about professional development and getting better every day, whether it’s physical or mental. We should not stay stagnant in our field; instead, we should seek both professional and personal development opportunities in order for us to reach our full potential of being the best version of ourselves.
Q: What goals do you have for yourself in the next five years?
A: I would like to advance my career and further my knowledge by pursuing advanced certifications in quality management/project management/process improvement and to complete my doctorate degree program.