Volume XVII | Issue 12 | December 2025

THE HCI SPOTLIGHT
HCI's Monthly Review of the Healthcare Industry
 Robert J. Stilley
President, CEO
HeartCare Imaging, Inc. 
A Message from the CEO

Dear Colleagues – 


As we wrap up a successful year at HCI, our focus is already on preparing for the year ahead. 2025 brought its share of challenges, but it also gave us the opportunity to build strong relationships with incredible partners across the United States.

Through those challenges, I was reminded why I love what we do—because of partners like you who come together to overcome obstacles. Your trust and collaboration make the work not only easier but truly rewarding.

Rather than simply celebrating, we’re planning to ensure we can meet every possible need. While we can’t anticipate everything, thoughtful preparation helps us stay ahead of the curve. Our plans include reviewing personnel needs, on-site support, equipment maintenance and upgrades, billing and collections, and more.

We’re also excited to introduce new services in the coming year, including Cardiac PET/CT, additional CT scanners, and Theranostics. Our goal is to help you care for your patients while expanding your services and improving your bottom line.

We welcome your suggestions on how we can better support you. And rest assured, while we’re adding new offerings, we remain fully committed to delivering the exceptional support you’ve come to expect for your current services.

Thank you for allowing us to be part of your team. We appreciate you—and wish you a Happy New Year!


Please enjoy this month's newsletter!

 

Best Regards,

Nuclear Medicine

Rapid Growth of Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Highlights Need for Expertise


The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) has released a position paper outlining the education, training, and experience needed to ensure the safe and effective delivery of radiopharmaceutical therapy (RPT), a rapidly growing form of precision cancer treatment.


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HER2-Targeted Radioimmunotherapy Regimen Achieves Complete and Durable Response in Breast Cancer Model


A new radioimmunotherapy approach has the potential to cure human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer, according to new research published in the November issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.


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Next-Generation Targeted Alpha Therapy using Astatine Shows Promise in Thyroid Cancer Resistant to Conventional Treatment


A new targeted alpha therapy is showing promise for patients whose thyroid cancer no longer responds to radioactive iodine, the standard beta-emitting treatment. In a first-in-human study, investigators found that a single dose of the alpha-emitting radionuclide 211At (astatine) was both well-tolerated and effective, achieving disease control without molecularly targeted drugs. The findings were published in the December issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.


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SNMMI, EANM, and ARTnet Launch Unified PET Accreditation to Improve Clinical Trials and Patient Care


Three world-leading nuclear medicine organizations--the SNMMI Clinical Trials Network (SNMMI-CTN), the Australasian Radiopharmaceutical Trials Network (ARTnet), and the European Association of Nuclear Medicine Forschungs GmbH (EARL)--have jointly endorsed a unified PET/CT and PET/MR scanner accreditation framework to standardize and harmonize quantitative PET imaging worldwide.


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Cardiology

Healthcare advocacy in 2025: American Society of Echocardiography reviews a busy year


2025 was a busy year for advocacy efforts in the world of cardiovascular imaging, according to the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE). Many of the policies ASE focused on throughout the year were priorities for other medical societies as well.


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Cardiology’s biggest trend: New scientific statements take on AI-powered coronary plaque evaluations


The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) have both issued new scientific statements exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) software to evaluate the coronary CT angiography (CCTA) results of patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).


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Experts Worry About the Interventional Cardiology Pipeline


Match Day brought disappointment this year — not for interventional cardiology trainees but for fellowship programs left with unfilled positions.


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Better Brain Health Linked to Lower Future Hypertension Risk


In adults without hypertension at baseline, better cognitive function at baseline was associated with lower odds of incident hypertension after about 6 years of follow-up, with obesity partially mediating the association.


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FDA approves new drug for genetic heart disease


Cytokinetics, a San Francisco-based biopharmaceutical company, has secured U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for aficamten, the company’s new drug for the treatment of symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). 


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Health


Novo Nordisk’s weight loss pill approved by FDA


The clearance brings an oral form of Novo’s Wegovy to market ahead of Lilly’s rival medication and kicks off the next phase of an escalating battle for control of the obesity drug market.


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Record-breaking flu numbers reported in New York state, sparking warnings from officials


Weekly influenza cases jumped 38% from previous reporting period as health officials warn of widespread activity.


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5 fitness trends that went viral in 2025 — experts weigh hype vs results


Weighted vests, jiu-jitsu training and vibration plates offer accessible alternatives to traditional gym routines.


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A massive scientific review put alternative autism therapies to the test


A major new review has put hundreds of alternative autism treatments under the microscope—and most didn’t hold up. 


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An 11-year-old needed two new organs and doctors made history


A rare dual heart and liver transplant at Children’s Hospital Colorado gave an 11-year-old girl a second chance at life—and marked a historic first for the hospital.


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Health Care Industry News

UnitedHealth commits to changes after independent review


On Friday, the healthcare behemoth released results of three highly anticipated external reviews that drilled down on a number of areas for improvement.


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Healthcare services M&A could rise in 2026: PwC


Dealmaking in the sector is poised to increase next year after a lull in 2025, as companies use technology, like artificial intelligence, to attract buyers, according to the report.


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Health system C-suites to keep shrinking


Health system executive teams are being reshaped by financial, technological and cultural forces simultaneously converging on the healthcare space


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Family physicians are departing rural areas: report


Between 2017 and 2023, the share of family physicians working in rural areas dropped 11%, according to a new study.


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Neuroscience

Dopamine Acts as a Movement Support System, Not a Speed Controller


Dopamine may not control the force or speed of movements as long believed. Instead, it appears to function as a foundational chemical that enables movement in the first place.


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Social Isolation Directly Speeds Up Cognitive Decline


Social isolation has a direct causal impact on how quickly cognitive function declines in later life, independent of whether someone feels lonely.


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Obesity Speeds Alzheimer’s Biomarker by Up to 95 Percent


New longitudinal research shows that Alzheimer’s disease blood biomarkers rise up to 95 percent faster in people with obesity than in those without.


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Stressed rats keep returning to cannabis and scientists know why


Rats with naturally high stress levels were far more likely to self-administer cannabis when given access.


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Mini brains reveal clear brain signals of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder


Tiny lab-grown brains are offering an unprecedented look at how schizophrenia and bipolar disorder disrupt neural activity. Researchers found distinct electrical firing patterns that could identify these conditions with high accuracy. The discovery opens the door to more precise diagnoses and personalized drug testing. Instead of guessing medications, doctors may one day see what works before treating the patient.


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HeartCare Imaging, Inc. | Phone: 561-746-6125 | Fax: 561-741-2036 | info@heartcareimaging.com
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