The Image Makers

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Over the years, RAS built on that legacy, in 1947 installing the first million-volt therapeutic X-ray west of the Mississippi, introducing the first CT scanner in Sacramento in the 1980s, and pioneering work on breast biopsies, intraoperative radiation therapy, computer-aided detection on mammograms and improvements in prostate cancer radiation techniques.

THE FACE OF THE STORY

It’s easy to forget the human stories behind this impressive machinery. But Granite Bay resident Terry Reidy isn’t going to forget any time soon. Reidy, a Vietnam veteran, was diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma, a potentially fatal cancer, in the late 1990s. He underwent a major operation on his cancerous leg, which left him with what doctors call “dirty margins,” meaning there was a significant risk that not all the cancer was removed during surgery. He was then given radiation treatments by Dr. Mark Logsdon, chairman of the Radiation Oncology Division at RAS.

“Today, I’m walking and riding my bicycle,” says Reidy. “I’ve been out 10 years, so the chances of the cancer coming back are small. All these imaging machines that RAS has and Dr. Logsdon’s care meant one thing to me: a second chance at life.”

Lisa Dalton, a Sacramento mother of two, also credits RAS for being a part of her full recovery after a brain hemorrhage left her paralyzed below the waist on her right side and her brain filling with blood in 2002. Acting quickly, RAS scanned and prepared her for surgery, which was performed at Sutter General Hospital. Subsequent brain scans found the congenital defect that caused the problem was completely repaired. “I had my surgery a week before my 40th birthday, and on my birthday I was partying,” she says with a laugh. “I never was too concerned because I knew they take good care of you.”

The fact that RAS is a hot commodity in the medical imaging market is also due in large part to its leadership and internal culture. “That’s where this company separates itself from all others,” says Lucas. “Other imaging centers have advanced technologies, too. RAS has a history of strong leadership, and today is no exception. The company’s current success is due in large part to its leader, Fred Gaschen. Fred is passionate, he understands the business, he understands radiology, and he understands how to help create an internal culture that allows RAS to successfully attract the best people nationwide.”

Gaschen has an abundance of energy and a cordial manner with his employees. Officially RAS’ executive vice president, he is clearly the company’s sparkplug. Gaschen talks fast and walks even faster.

“Hire good people and let them do their job,” he says, giving a quick summary of his leadership style. It seems to be working. Gaschen has led RAS for the past 11 years, winning several awards along the way, including this year’s Administrator of the Year Award given by Advanced Imaging Magazine.

While Gaschen will not discuss the actual numbers in RAS’ annual budget, he does admit that revenues have increased every year for the past decade and that they have close to doubled in the past five years.

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