William F. Muhr, Jr. MD, DABR

William F. Muhr, Jr. MD, DABR CEO, South Jersey Radiology

Staying on the cutting edge

When Bill Muhr, MD, was growing up in the ’60s, science was the big thing.

“We were putting a man on the moon and every little kid wanted to be an astronaut, myself included,” says Muhr, CEO of South Jersey Radiology (SJRA). “As I got older, that didn’t seem like a likely career path for me, but I still really liked science and ended up taking a real interest in medicine.”

Then, around the time he was training to become a doctor, science led the way again. Thanks to emerging technologies, the field of radiology was in rapid flux. With Muhr’s enthusiasm for math and science, he gravitated to the specialty.

“Nobody gets exploratory surgery anymore to figure out what’s wrong with them on the inside. We now use imaging to determine that.”

“I was fortunate to be coming out of my residency in the late ’80s, right when we were on the cusp of the explosion in computer technology, which really allowed imaging technology to advance,” he says. “I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that imaging revolutionized medicine. Nobody gets exploratory surgery anymore to figure out what’s wrong with them on the inside. We now use imaging to determine that. We are also able to figure out which targeted therapies will offer the most successful treatments.”

Having spent nearly his entire career with SJRA, with the last decade in his present role as CEO, Muhr has been front and center in bringing innovations to the practice with 11 offices across South Jersey.

SJRA has close to 50 specialized physicians on staff offering patients individualized care. Leading specialists – neuroradiologists, body imagers, musculoskeletal imagers, women’s imaging and interventional radiologists – interpret radiology studies from standard x-rays to the most complex procedures. Established in 1938, the practice is the only diagnostic center in the region awarded a Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology. All 11 offices offer a full spectrum of state-of-the-art imaging technologies.

Although Muhr isn’t as involved in hands-on clinical work as he was earlier in his career, he says it’s still necessary and exciting to keep up with radial technology innovations.

“If you’re going to run a practice, it’s important to continue taking that active role,” he says. “From a technology standpoint, we need to keep the practice on the cutting edge. But like any field, you have to assess whether the change represents a true advance and if it makes sense to adapt for your practice.” Before any new equipment is selected, he adds, SJRA radiology specialists study all options to assure the new technology will offer the very best available imaging for patients’ needs.

He also considers it his job to figure out the most effective ways to educate the public of the need for routine screenings.

“One of the key takeaways of the last few years is the importance of detecting disease early, whether it’s mammograms for breast health, computed tomography (CT) for lung cancer or colonoscopies for colon cancer,” he says. “It’s easier to treat disease in early stages, and there are better outcomes. But sometimes you have to push people to get them in the door.”

For women, routine annual mammograms are life saving. Once baseline x-rays are established (typically at the age of 40), the images often show changes in the breast long before women can actually feel a tumor themselves, Muhr says.

“When you pick your mammogram provider, it’s not like getting a blood test at a lab,” he says. “Make sure you pick a practice that really can give you the care you need. What happens if a patient has an abnormal mammogram,” he says. “They will need to have that mammogram reviewed and may need more testing.”

All 11 of SJRA’s women’s imaging centers offer 2D and 3D mammography, breast ultrasound, ultrasound-guided breast biopsy and stereotactic breast biopsy modalities. Moreover, SJRA’s breast imaging specialists and technologists have received enhanced education and training, and are trained in the latest breast imaging technologies. That’s important to remember because imaging studies are only as good as the radiologist who reads them, Muhr says, noting that the practice was the first in the region designated as a Breast Imaging Center for Excellence by the College of Radiology.

Muhr notes that SJRA’s ability to grow and change with the times is a result of strong support for its services. “We’re really committed to South Jersey,” he adds, “and excited to be here. We thank the community for its support over more than 80 years.”

1307 White Horse Road, Voorhees
888-909-7572 | sjra.com