Podcast
March 2026Episode : Private Practice at Scale
With Brian Van EckIndependent radiology practices are facing intense pressure: declining reimbursements, a nationwide radiologist shortage, escalating salary offers, and constant questions about whether to stay independent or sell to private equity. In this episode of Voices of Experience, host Dianne Keen is joined by Brian Van Eck, Chief Strategy Officer at Radiology Associates of North Texas (RANT), to explore what it really looks like to build private practice at scale, without giving up control.
Over the past decade, Brian has had a front‑row seat as RANT grew from 110 radiologists to nearly 300, becoming the largest wholly physician‑owned radiology group in the country. Rather than selling to a consolidator, RANT chose a different path: combining with like‑minded practices across Texas, building the infrastructure to support them, and saying “no” quickly when the culture or strategy wasn’t the right fit.
Guests
Key Discussion Points:
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Independence, Growth, and Culture: How RANT evaluated private equity, chose to remain physician-owned, expanded through aligned partnerships, and uses core values to guide decisions on opportunities and affiliations.
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Recruiting, Compensation, and Retention: A candid look at today’s hiring landscape, why a salary arms race isn’t sustainable, and how culture, lifestyle, and workflow design support long-term retention.
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Hospital Stipends and Negotiations: Practical guidance on structuring stipend discussions, educating partners, using transparent formulas, and knowing when a deal no longer supports the group’s future.
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Technology, AI, and the Future: How RANT is investing in workflow and AI tools while navigating the realities of deploying advanced technologies without owning the underlying data.
