Stamatia V Destounis MD, FACR, FSBI,FAIUM

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Managing Partner, attending Breast Radiologist, Elizabeth Wende Breast Care, LLC

Years in current role: 33

What emerging trends or technologies do you think will have the biggest impact on health care in the next 12 months?

One of the most impactful emerging trends will be the growing integration of AI into clinical workflows for various types of clinical practice. These tools are poised to transform routine tasks such as reporting, prior insurance authorization, and patient messaging by automating processes and reducing administrative burden. In radiology, AI is enhancing diagnostic accuracy by assisting with image interpretation and detecting subtle findings that may otherwise be missed. These tools offer the potential to increase clinician accuracy, improve patient outcomes, and make health care more efficient and personalized.

What’s one lesson the past few years have taught you about resilience or innovation in health care?

One key lesson from the past few years is that resilience in health care depends on the ability to adapt quickly without compromising patient care. The rapid pivot practices like mine had to make when we were in the midst of the COVID pandemic brought great change in day-to-day operations. Many of these new adaptations made during that time have remained, not only for my practice, but health care as a whole. For example, transitioning to telemedicine where applicable to communicate with patients. It reinforced that challenges can drive lasting change — if health systems and clinical practices are willing to evolve and invest in both people and technology.

What skills or qualities do you think are essential for the next generation of health care leaders?

The next generation of health care leaders will need to be adaptable, technology-proficient, and be willing to collaborate. They must pair clinical or operational expertise with strong communication skills and emotional intelligence to navigate complex and evolving health care systems. A commitment to health equity, data-informed decision-making, and a willingness to embrace innovation — especially regarding AI — will be essential. Just as importantly, they must be resilient, able to lead through uncertainty, and focused on building inclusive, mission-driven teams.

How do you stay motivated and inspired in such a demanding and evolving field?

I stay motivated by staying connected to the “why” behind my work — the impact I have on my patients, their families, and the broader community. In a field as demanding as health care, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day challenges but remembering that even small actions can contribute to positive patient experiences and outcomes keeps me grounded. Whether it’s helping to improve access to quality care, educating the younger physicians, or supporting new technologies to further the field, I find purpose in knowing that the work I do truly matters.

This profile is part of our Power List for Health Care for 2025. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.