One of the country’s largest outpatient imaging providers, US Radiology Specialists, is taking a bold step forward this year with a new CEO and rebrand to Lumexa Imaging.
The rebrand, announced July 8, signals more than a cosmetic change — it reflects a strategic recalibration under CEO Caitlin Zulla, who took the helm in January. At the heart of this transformation is a vision not just to expand footprint, but to lead a fundamental shift in how patients, providers, and health systems experience outpatient diagnostic imaging.
“The name US Radiology served us very well, but as we move into our next phase of growth, we wanted a name that captures our commitment to innovation, clinical excellence, and the trusted partnerships we build every day,” said Ms. Zulla. “Lumexa Imaging is a name designed to reflect our future. Inspired by illumination, combined with ‘exa’ signifying exceptional scale, the new name represents our mission to expand access to affordable, high-quality imaging in more communities and to bring answers to thousands of patients and referring providers who rely on us every day.”
In her first six months, she oversaw the opening of six new outpatient centers, on top of four opened since late 2024, with more in the pipeline. The company now operates more than 180 centers in 13 states, with over 85 in joint ventures — an aggressive expansion strategy driven by both demand and intention. Ms. Zulla is energized by the company’s growth trajectory, and she said health system partnerships are gaining momentum.
“Industry trends show patients are increasingly utilizing freestanding imaging centers compared to hospital-based imaging because of their lower price point, convenience with extended and weekend hours, and clinical quality with a range of advanced services,” said Ms. Zulla. “So joint venture opportunities are accelerating, and we’re seeing systems eager to collaborate on outpatient strategies given our focus and expertise.”
The company helps health systems strategically expand their outpatient imaging footprints into high potential areas, increasing patient access to care.
“Health systems have a lot of competing priorities, and they find bringing us in to focus on what we do every day: exceptional outpatient imaging care delivery- frees up their internal teams to focus on their other critical patient care goals,” said Ms. Zulla. “And finally, we’re always looking to add high-quality imaging centers through M&A, and we have a strong pipeline of potential new partners. We are growing rapidly, but with intention- always focused on delivering quality, expanding access, and building for long-term impact.”
Her strategic plan is organized around four key growth pillars:
- Expanding same-center performance
- Opening de novo centers
- Building new health system partnerships
- Pursuing targeted mergers and acquisitions in high-opportunity geographies
What ties these pieces together is a clear-eyed focus on the evolving needs of patients and health systems alike — and the belief that outpatient imaging can deliver excellent clinical quality, at a fraction of the cost.
“Patient financial responsibility continues to increase, and freestanding imaging centers are lower cost options for patients, especially compared to HOPD rates,” said Ms. Zulla. She also added, “Patients often have difficulty navigating a complex healthcare campus. Retail-based outpatient centers make it much easier to park and complete their exam, often with shorter wait times.”
At the core is the company’s Connexia teleradiology platform, which supports consistent capacity and turnaround times across its network — even as the national radiologist shortage stretches thinner. Backed by over 350 affiliated radiologists and partnerships with more than 675 third-party radiologists, Lumexa Imaging’s model ensures broad access to subspecialty reads, a key factor in maintaining quality as volume increases.
The company’s outpatient model — featuring modalities like MRI, CT, PET, and mammography with subspecialized reads — offers clinical equivalency with better access and value. That model has become an attractive proposition for health systems under pressure to adapt. With internal resources stretched thin, many are exploring partnerships with Lumexa Imaging to expand their outpatient imaging footprint quickly and effectively. In addition to the long standing joint venture partnerships already well-established with the organization.
“Over the next 5 years, we anticipate continued rapid expansion of freestanding, outpatient imaging capacity to meet the growing demand,” said Ms. Zulla. “We see more joint ventures forming in the industry as systems seek high-performing partners to execute outpatient strategies. And we see wider adoption of AI and workflow automation, improving efficiency and radiologist support- this is an area where we’ve seen a lot of early success, and we have a long runway to continue to benefit from AI innovation.”
The outpatient and technology evolution also means changing internally. Ms. Zulla’s leadership philosophy is grounded in clarity, empathy, and purpose, values she sees as essential in navigating rapid change.
“Transformation often brings uncertainty, so it’s essential to communicate a clear vision, and just as importantly, to explain the ‘why’ behind it,” she said. “People don’t just need direction; they need to feel connected to the mission and understand their role in shaping the future.”
That sense of purpose is foundational to Lumexa Imaging’s culture, and Ms. Zulla is intent on preserving it through active listening.
“Engage your teams, physicians, and partners early and often. The best solutions, and the strongest alignment, come when people feel heard and valued,” said Ms. Zulla. “And finally, stay grounded in purpose. Transformation isn’t about change for change’s sake. It’s about creating something better; better outcomes, better experiences, better futures. When you keep that front and center, it becomes much easier to navigate the inevitable complexity with integrity, resilience, and momentum. Finally, through it all, never lose sight of culture – it is the foundation that determines whether the transformation takes root and endures.”
