From May 30 to June 2, the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) will hold its annual meeting at the Los Angeles Convention Center, bringing together an array of experts from across the industry.

From groundbreaking research to legislative initiatives and evolving best practices, there will be much to discuss. In order to get a glimpse at what the meeting has in store, and what the organization will be focused on looking ahead to the next year, HealthCare Business News spoke with president-elect, Dr. Heather Jacene.

She is Section Chief of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, clinical director of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT and senior physician at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and associate professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School, and now she is the incoming president of the Society for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI).

HCB News: Who or what inspired you to follow a career in healthcare?
Heather Jacene: As a student, I was always drawn to science and math. In college, I studied molecular biology, which introduced me to the building blocks of medicine—things like genetics, cells, and bacteria. I also spent time in a research lab studying how muscle develops, which connects to diseases like Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Around that same time, both of my grandmothers were diagnosed with cancer. That experience made what I was learning feel very real. I became fascinated by how the body usually works so precisely, and how even a small change in a cell can lead to something as serious as cancer.

Seeing my family go through that also gave me a firsthand look at patient care. I saw how advances in science can directly improve people’s lives. That combination (understanding the science, contributing to innovation, and making a meaningful impact on patients) is what ultimately drew me to healthcare.

HCB News: What drew you to nuclear medicine?
HJ: In medical school, I really enjoyed my rotations in pediatrics, radiation oncology, and imaging. During that time, I was lucky to meet a wonderful mentor, Dr. Jeffrey Kempf, a nuclear radiologist. He recognized my interests and introduced me to nuclear medicine, particularly radioimmunotherapy, and encouraged me to lean into both my curiosity and my interest in cancer care.

Nuclear medicine brought everything together for me. It felt like a field where you’re constantly piecing things together, using science, technology, and clinical insight to better understand what’s happening in the body and guide care.

HCB News: Have there been any big developments over the past year with regard to theranostics?
HJ: Over the past year, theranostics has continued to mature in ways that are important not only clinically but also operationally for healthcare organizations. Currently approved agents are being used earlier in the treatment pathway, and many groups are investigating how to further optimize their use through patient selection and treatment planning. More broadly, the field is seeing a stronger push for protocol standardization and more clearly defined care pathways. There is also growing experience with the infrastructure needed to support these programs successfully.

From an administrative perspective, the field is starting to get a clearer understanding of what it takes to build sustainable theranostics services, and there is also increasing recognition that theranostics cannot operate in isolation—it requires alignment across oncology, imaging, operations, and leadership (and others). That shift toward a more integrated model is one of the clearest signs that the field is moving from early adoption into a more scalable and sustainable phase.

HCB News: What key initiatives will you be spearheading as president?
HJ: As president, I plan to build on the work I’ve already been deeply involved with since my time as vice president-elect. A major priority will be continuing to strengthen standardization efforts across the field, particularly as theranostics and molecular imaging expand into broader applications. That includes helping translate what we are learning into additional areas such as cardiology and neuro-oncology, where there is tremendous opportunity for growth. I am also very focused on disparities in access. These therapies should not be limited to large academic centers, so expanding community access will be an important part of my work. In addition, I see significant potential for artificial intelligence to support the field in practical ways, especially in workflow optimization, scheduling, medical record review, and imaging quantification. My goal is to help move the field forward in an innovative, scalable, and more accessible way for patients and health systems alike.

HCB News: What are the most important challenges currently facing nuclear medicine?
HJ: Two big challenges facing nuclear medicine today are the workforce pipeline and reimbursement, especially as radiopharmaceuticals become more central to patient care.

The field is growing across the spectrum, but the number of individuals needed to meet the demand is not expanding at the same pace. We need innovative ways to showcase nuclear medicine as a profession.

In addition, we continue to see issues related to inadequate coding, inconsistent or unclear pricing structures, and billing processes that can be fragmented and difficult to navigate. Those barriers create uncertainty, not only for providers but also for health systems trying to build sustainable programs and for patients trying to access care. If we want these innovations to reach more people, reimbursement policy must evolve alongside the science. That means clearer coding pathways, better alignment between coverage and clinical value, and a more practical framework for institutions that are investing in these services. Neither is a small challenge, but both are essential to address if we want the field to continue growing responsibly.

HCB News: What advice would you give to attendees of this year’s annual meeting?
HJ: My biggest advice is to be intentional, because there is an incredible amount of content at this year’s annual meeting, and no one can realistically do everything. Start by planning your days in advance and using the available web-based resources strategically, so you can prioritize the sessions and experiences that are most valuable to attend in person. I would especially highlight the ASCO Live “Intersection” session, moderated by Dr. Michael Hofman and me, which brings the most important radiopharmaceutical therapy and molecular imaging updates from the ASCO Annual Meeting directly to attendees in a fast-paced, high-yield format. I’d also strongly encourage attendees to spend time at the revamped Knowledge Bowl, the Young Investigators sessions, and in the Science Pavilion. Those are often some of the best opportunities to exchange ideas, see emerging research, ask questions directly, and make meaningful connections with colleagues and authors. Overall, the best way to maximize the meeting is to focus on what is uniquely valuable in a live setting: the interaction, the discussion, and the networking.