Dr. Ryan Polselli is Pioneering Accessible Breast Imaging Solutions with MammoLink
Dr. Ryan Polselli, an accomplished radiologist and founder of MammoLink, has dedicated his career to improving the accessibility and efficiency of breast imaging services. His journey from medical school at the University of South Florida’s Morsani College of Medicine to his groundbreaking work in breast cancer detection has been one marked by innovation and a commitment to patient care. With extensive training, including a prestigious breast imaging fellowship at Emory University, Dr. Ryan Polselli identified significant gaps in the breast imaging process early in his career. Seeing that logistical barriers and miscommunication were preventing many women from getting the care they needed, he founded MammoLink to streamline and simplify the mammography experience.
Dr. Polselli’s work at MammoLink goes beyond addressing traditional challenges in healthcare. His mission is to remove obstacles and make it easier for women to get timely, high-quality breast imaging services. This focus on improving the patient experience is at the heart of his work. In this interview, Dr. Ryan Polselli shares his insights into the evolving healthcare landscape, his vision for the future of breast imaging, and how his innovative solutions are making a difference in women’s lives.
What sparked the idea for MammoLink?
The idea for MammoLink was born out of frustration with the inefficiencies I encountered while working in breast imaging. Many women weren’t receiving their annual mammograms, and that wasn’t because they didn’t want to. Often, it was due to logistical barriers like complicated scheduling, long wait times, or miscommunication between patients and imaging centers. I realized there had to be a better way to help women access the care they needed. That’s when I came up with the concept of MammoLink, to “link” women directly to the best possible breast imaging services. The goal was to make the entire process simpler and more efficient, ensuring that women didn’t face unnecessary obstacles to getting the screenings that could save their lives.
How do you bring ideas like MammoLink to life?
Bringing MammoLink to life was a challenging but rewarding process. It all started with identifying the core problems that were preventing women from accessing breast care. Once I understood those pain points, I worked on developing a solution that addressed each of them, whether it was reducing wait times, simplifying scheduling, or improving communication between patients and healthcare providers. To get MammoLink off the ground, I assembled a team of experts in technology, healthcare, and business development. Together, we created a platform that streamlines the mammography process and connects patients with the best breast imaging services in their area. It’s been an incredibly fulfilling journey, and we’ve already seen the positive impact it’s having on women’s healthcare.
What is a typical day like for you?
My days tend to be very full, starting early in the morning. I’m typically up by 4 or 5 AM, and I use that quiet time to focus on the most critical tasks of the day. By 7:30 AM, I’m at the office reading hundreds of mammograms, performing biopsies, and communicating with both patients and referring physicians. The work is fast-paced, and I often skip lunch to stay productive. I use travel time to catch up on calls, emails, and meetings, and in the evenings, I make sure to spend quality time with my family. After winding down with them, I’ll often dive back into work, wrapping up around 8 PM. It’s a demanding schedule, but the satisfaction that comes from helping patients makes it all worthwhile.
What’s one healthcare trend that excites you?
One trend that I find particularly exciting is the growing movement toward cost transparency in healthcare. For far too long, patients have been kept in the dark about the costs of their care until after they’ve received services, leading to confusion and financial stress. Cost transparency empowers patients to make informed decisions about their healthcare and fosters a stronger sense of trust between providers and patients. At MammoLink, we’ve embraced this trend by ensuring that our patients know what to expect in terms of costs before they receive care. It’s all part of our mission to simplify the healthcare process and make it more patient-friendly.
What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a radiologist?
One of the biggest challenges we face in the field of radiology is declining reimbursements. While the cost of providing medical care continues to rise, reimbursements for imaging services have been steadily decreasing. This puts a strain on practices like mine, as we have to balance financial sustainability with maintaining high standards of patient care. Another challenge is the rapidly changing landscape of healthcare technology. While advancements in AI and digital imaging are exciting, they also require us to continuously adapt and upgrade our systems. Staying at the forefront of these changes while delivering top-tier patient care is a constant balancing act.
What habits have made you successful as an entrepreneur?
One habit that has been essential to my success is flexibility. As an entrepreneur, you have to be able to adapt to changing circumstances quickly. Whether it’s financial challenges, shifts in the market, or unexpected events, being able to improvise is key to staying ahead. In my work, I could be speaking with a patient one minute and negotiating a business contract the next. If you’re not flexible, you won’t be able to keep up with the demands of the business.
What’s the most significant challenge you’ve overcome in your career?
The most significant challenge I’ve faced was learning to trust my own instincts. When I first started MammoLink, there were a lot of people telling me that it couldn’t be done. They doubted the idea, and there were plenty of naysayers. Ignoring the negativity and trusting my vision was the biggest hurdle, but it paid off in the end.
Where do you see MammoLink in the next five years?
I envision MammoLink continuing to expand its reach across the United States, providing more women with access to high-quality breast imaging. As we grow, I also see us integrating more technology, like AI, into our processes to improve accuracy and efficiency. Ultimately, my goal is to reshape the breast imaging industry by making it more patient-centric and accessible to all women, regardless of their location or circumstances.
What advice would you give to a young entrepreneur in healthcare?
My advice would be to focus on patient care above all else. At the end of the day, healthcare is about improving lives. If you build a business that is centered on meeting the needs of your patients, success will follow. Don’t get caught up in the numbers—focus on the impact you’re making, and everything else will fall into place.
How do you manage your work-life balance?
It’s definitely a challenge, but I make it a priority to spend time with my family. No matter how busy the day is, I always carve out time in the evening to unwind with my wife and kids. I also find that flying helps me clear my mind and recharge. Having a few hobbies outside of work helps me maintain balance and avoid burnout.
What quote do you live by?
One of my favorite quotes is: “Good business is often bad medicine. However, good medicine is always good business.” It’s a reminder that focusing on quality care is always the right decision, even if it doesn’t yield immediate profits. In the long run, doing what’s best for the patient will always be the most successful business strategy.
Looking Ahead
As Dr. Ryan Polselli continues to lead MammoLink, his dedication to improving breast imaging care remains steadfast. With a focus on patient accessibility and cost transparency, Ryan Polselli is making a lasting impact on the healthcare industry, ensuring that women receive the care they deserve.
