Eventually, a blind inquiry led Dils to a company called
Radiology Oncology Systems (ROS), a company headquartered in California, where Mike Guthleben, VP of Diagnostic Imaging, based in Columbus, Ohio, became an indispensable resource. Together, they navigated the process of choosing and installing the right mix of refurbished diagnostic imaging equipment for Dils’ new facility.
Dils knew the local hospital used Siemens Healthineers imaging technology, so that seemed like as good an option as any. Guthleben agreed that Siemens made excellent MR scanners and CT scanners, but stressed that often the more affordable, independent service and third-party technical support market was more robust for GE Healthcare systems.
“If I got into a repair situation, I was going to be able to find parts and labor a little easier,” says Dils. “We looked at a number of different machines and he gave me his two cents and we made decisions from that”. He ended up installing a GE 1.5-Tesla MR system and a GE 64-slice CT scanner suitable for both general diagnostic as well as cardiac scans. He also added other imaging systems including an X-ray system.
Eventually they selected a full range of equipment that would meet the needs of his patients at the best price. With access to ROS’s network of resources and industry professionals, Dils was able to connect with experts who could verify the imaging environments were up to specifications, particularly the MR suite, where special RF shielding is required to ensure diagnostic quality scans.
“Mike Guthleben and his colleagues at ROS went above and beyond,” Dils recalled. “Helped me source leaded doors, showed me where I could get leaded glass. He had quality names and vendors to call, and he didn’t get paid for any of that but he still helped me with the process. He helped me source training. We had a third-party group come in and do all of our training, and without Mike’s industry knowledge I would have been swinging at the air.”
If you build it, they will come
Each of Dils’ new business ventures started with recognizing an unmet need in the Richmond, Indiana area. In each case, that has also meant creating value in industries where consolidation has stifled competition.
“It comes down to having an option for the people in this community that they deserve,” says Dils. “Other communities have free-standing centers. I can drive an hour to go to one in Indianapolis, but why not have one here?”
When ImageWorks opened in July 2021, the COVID-19 delta variant was just beginning to spread across the country. The timing meant referrals were scarce and ramping up patient volumes took longer than expected. Further complicating things was an unwillingness by the local hospital to build a relationship with his facility.
