Putting Patients First Grant Program

Putting Patients First Grant Program is sponsored by AHRA: The Association for Medical Imaging Management. This program funds initiatives aimed at improving patient care and safety in general medical imaging. Applications for 2026 are closed; the program typically opens annually.

Putting Patients First Program - AHRA: The Association for Medical Imaging Management Putting Patients First Program Putting Patients First Grant Program AHRA’s Putting Patients First Program, through the generous support of Canon Medical, seeks to improve patient care and safety in general medical imaging through an innovative grant-making program.

The Putting Patients First Program will provide five grants annually to fund programs, training, or seminars aimed at improving patient care and safety, which can then be used to create best practices that can be shared and implemented at other hospitals and institutions. Applications for 2026 are closed.

Five (5) grants of up to $10,000 are available to be awarded according to the following categories: Beyond receiving funds, the grant recipients will publish an article in an AHRA publication about their innovative program to improve patient care and safety in diagnostic imaging. The Member Recognition committee will review applications as received for approval.

Grant funds of up to $10,000/ea Must be a current AHRA member in good standing. Must complete application in entirety. Must not have been a past recipient.

Available Grants per Year: 5 ● Applications Open: October ● Applications Closed: Monday, December 15 Applies to USA residents only and submission deadline is November 1, 2023 Explore Putting Patients First in Action Sara Riskey Tells Us Her Experience With the Putting Patients First Grant Program Discover how the Putting Patients First Grant Program helped Sara Riskey optimize CT imaging in her department, delivering higher quality scans while keeping patient safety and comfort front and center.

Putting Patients First: How Imaging Leaders Turn Grant Funds Into Real-World Impact In this episode of Medical Imaging Matters, AHRA Executive Director Jason Newmark brings together imaging leaders and partners to explore how the Putting Patients First Grant Program is translating funding into measurable improvements in patient care.

The conversation highlights how innovative ideas, leadership growth, and real-world project outcomes are creating meaningful impact across imaging departments.

Congratulations to our 2026 Grant Program Recipients: Program Type: Radiation Safety The Brave Bear Brigade is an innovative initiative designed to enhance pediatric patient care and safety in medical imaging by addressing the emotional and psychological needs of children who require repeated imaging procedures.

Through the simple yet powerful act of providing each child with a superhero-themed stuffed bear, the program seeks to reduce fear, improve cooperation during imaging, and foster a more compassionate and supportive care environment. Program Type: Pediatric Imaging Atrium Health Navicent Beverly Knight Olson Children's Hospital proposes implementing the “Pediatric Imaging Comfort & Education Program” using the Philips KittenScanner.

This initiative will serve as a structured educational and anxiety-reduction program designed to familiarize pediatric patients and their families with the imaging process. The goal is to create a child-friendly pathway that reduces fear, decreases motion-related repeat scans, and improves overall imaging quality and safety.

Director, School of Medical Imaging Geisinger Health System-Geisinger Medical Center Program Type: Diagnostic Imaging The initiative focuses on enhancing patient care and safety in medical imaging by integrating hands-on training with a radiologic phantom for radiography students within our School of Medical Imaging.

This program will serve as a bridge between theoretical knowledge and practical application, ensuring students develop competency in safe imaging practices before working with real patients.

Director of Clinical Operations Program Type: Diagnostic Imaging Banner Imaging plans to implement authentic, patient-centered imagery and video content across all Banner Imaging ambulatory MRI locations, eliminating psychological harm and anxiety associated with unrealistic stock photography.

By replacing generic images with genuine representations of real patients, staff, and MR environments—and providing patients with a short, authentic video before their appointment—we will create a trustworthy, calming experience that directly improves patient safety outcomes, reduces scan anxiety, and enhances image quality.

Assistant Director of Radiology The University of Kansas Health System Program Type: Diagnostic Imaging The University of Kansas Health System Radiology Department is seeking support from the AHRA Putting Patients First grant to elevate the safety, quality, and consistency of MRI operations across our rapidly expanding network.

To meet this need, we propose funding advanced training for our MRI Safety Officers to complete MR Safety Expert Training and to achieve MRQE certification.

Putting Patients First Program Articles by Grant Recipients Grant Recipient Articles Published in Radiology Management : A Culture of Patient Safety: Crucial Communication A Portable Ultrasound Unit for Increased Patient Care Best Practices in Computerized Tomography Bismuth Breast and Thyroid Shield Implementation for Pediatric CT CT Dose Reduction in Pediatric Patients Commit to Sit in Radiology Enhancing the Imaging Experience for Pediatric Patients Enhancing the Patient Experience with Video Information Expanding a Comprehensive Lung Cancer Screening Program Exposing Safety: Putting Patients First in Imaging Departments Improving Safety in CT Through the Use of Educational Media Improving Safety in Diagnostic Imaging Improving Pediatric Breast Ultrasound Reporting and Recommendations: A Case Study in Clinical Practice Management Laser Targeting with C-arm Fluoroscopy: Effect on Radiation Exposure for Pediatric Patients MRI Ferromagnetic Detector System: Fatigue Study New MRI Equipment at a Rural Hospital Protocol to Clear Cervical Spine Injuries in Pediatric Trauma Patients Radiation Dose Reduction in Fluoroscopy R.

A. R. E.

: Radiation Awareness to Reduce Exposure Reducing Pediatric CT Usage through Web-Based Education Reducing Errant Ordered Radiology Exams Reducing Radiation Dose: A Community CT Image Record Reducing Anxiety in Pediatric Patients Setting the Stage for Delivery of Safer Imaging TRACE Program: Improving Patient Safety Tranquility: A Diversion Program for Pediatric Patients Using iPads to Improve Patient Care Use of Bar Coding Technology to Flag ER Patients on Metformin-Containing Drugs "It has been truly inspirational to witness the positive impact on patient care and medical imaging safety from the long-standing partnership between AHRA and Canon Medical Systems USA through the Putting Patients First Program.

We are proud to recognize the meaningful innovations achieved by the 74 grant recipients over the last 14 years, which align strongly with our 'Made for Life' philosophy. By committing to extend the program for the next five years, we are ensuring the continuation of our shared vision to drive innovation and advance imaging excellence for the future."

– Andrew Kuhls-Gilcrist, PhD, DABR, Canon Medical Systems USA Director of KOL Management Applies to USA residents only and submission deadline is November 1, 2023 Hear From Previous Grant Recipients Below AHRA: The Association for Medical Imaging Management 2001 K Street NW, Third Floor North, Washington, DC 20006 Email: memberservices@ahra. org