Dr. Ryan Polselli is the first to admit that it’s hard to relax after long days of interpreting thousands of 2D and 3D mammograms. He knows that each image holds the story of a real person and every life matters. Dr. Polselli does everything possible to help his patients, and they are always at the forefront of his mind.
He begins a typical day by rising early and heading to the office. There, he reads a couple hundred screening mammograms, performs several biopsies, and speaks with patients and physicians while answering dozens of text messages.
“Every minute, I am doing something productive until the end of the day,” Dr. Polselli said. “I typically skip lunch to take advantage of that time and I am on the phone in the car during travel to return calls. When I arrive home, I make time for my family for at least one hour to catch up with them and have dinner. Afterward, I go right back to reading.”
Such passion was born from a man who is on a mission to help as many people in his lifetime as possible.
Championing Change: Dr. Polselli’s Advocacy and Mentorship
Dr. Ryan Polselli started his career serving the country in the United States Navy, working in the Navy’s nuclear power program for submarines and surface warfare ships. He later attended medical school and got his license, concentrating on breast imaging and diagnostic radiology.
In 2015, he revolutionized the industry and founded MammoLink® while serving as Director of Breast Imaging at Memorial University Hospital at Atlantic Radiology Associates. He is the lead breast imaging radiologist interpreter at four successful outpatient imaging centers. He interprets over 20,000 2D and 3D mammograms yearly and has performed thousands of ultrasound and stereotactic-guided biopsies.
Dr. Polselli also holds provisional license patents for several breast imaging medical devices designed to improve patient care and reduce medical errors. Driven by a passion to bridge this gap in breast cancer detection and prevention, he later founded MammoLink to provide seamless access to high-quality mammography services. The name “MammoLink” embodies his vision of linking patients to the best possible care, addressing the missing link in breast health.
“In the world of Breast Imaging that I came from, nobody was focusing on the elephant in the room,” Dr. Polselli explained. “A lot of women simply do not get mammograms. I would see research about improving efficacy by a percentage point or focusing on irrelevant problems. The biggest problem in my mind was women not receiving mammograms. Wait lists, miscommunication, poor patient care, and having to drive long distances quickly came to mind as reasons for this.”
Pioneering Innovation: Introducing 3D Mobile Mammography
Dr. Polselli set out to provide the most sophisticated care for mammograms while making them more accessible for patients. MammoLink® was soon born after Polselli realized the urgent need for accessible and sophisticated care.
“Patients were unwilling to get their yearly mammogram due to time restraints or the multiple steps it would take them to schedule their exam, so I wanted to provide the link to make this process seamless,” Dr. Polselli shared.
MammoLink spearheads a groundbreaking shift in breast imaging by introducing 3D Mobile Mammography. Dr. Polselli’s forward-thinking approach has led to this state-of-the-art technology, designed to bring mammography screenings directly to patients’ doorsteps.
This innovative method revolutionizes accessibility, benefiting women in remote areas who previously faced logistical hurdles in accessing screenings. By offering top-tier mammography services in the comfort of patients’ environments, MammoLink ensures optimal outcomes and heightened patient satisfaction.
The hallmark of MammoLink’s commitment to excellence lies in its utilization of high-quality mammography equipment and its team of expert staff. With fellowship-trained breast imaging radiologists, MammoLink guarantees patients unparalleled care and expertise. By solidifying its reputation as a trusted leader in the medical field, MammoLink has set a new standard for mammography services, elevating the level of care provided to patients.
MammoLink’s Impact: Rapid Mammogram Results and Empowered Patients
MammoLink has transformed the delivery of mammogram results. Gone are the days of prolonged, anxiety-ridden waits for results. MammoLink guarantees swift delivery, ensuring patients receive their mammogram results within 24-48 hours. This rapid turnaround alleviates stress and facilitates timely follow-up and interventions when necessary, ultimately leading to enhanced patient outcomes.
Under the leadership of Dr. Polselli, MammoLink has empowered women to seize control of their breast health. By streamlining the mammogram process and eliminating obstacles, MammoLink has democratized access to screenings, encouraging regular check-ups. This proactive stance towards breast health has yielded tangible benefits, including earlier cancer detection and improved survival rates.
Furthermore, MammoLink’s unwavering commitment to education and awareness has equipped women with the knowledge and resources to prioritize their well-being. Through their advocacy efforts, MammoLink has fostered a culture of proactive health management, empowering women to make informed decisions about their breast health and overall wellness.
“Patients should be in control of their healthcare,” Dr. Polselli emphasized. “MammoLink ensures that they are in control of their health and given the proper tools needed to make critical decisions. When all options, including risks and benefits, are communicated to the patients clearly, they have the information needed to make valuable informed decisions.
Moving Forward: Dr. Polselli Says Medical Cost Transparency Is The Future
Dr. Ryan Polselli says the rising trend of cost transparency in healthcare is a long-awaited development with profound implications. Its emergence promises to reshape the healthcare landscape, benefiting physicians and patients. By empowering patients with upfront knowledge of healthcare costs, we enable them to make informed decisions about their care, steering away from surprise bills and collection agency interventions.
“This will empower patients to choose where they want their care to be provided,” Dr. Polselli explained. “Instead of turning the patients over to collection agencies for not paying their inflated bills, patients should know upfront what to expect and be allowed to have a voice in where they believe they will be given the best care.”
He says this shift towards a more patient-centric healthcare model is crucial and should be embraced as a natural progression rather than mandated through legislation. Its integration into the healthcare ecosystem reflects a broader societal shift towards transparency and accountability. There is no turning back from this transformative healthcare model, as it aligns with patients’ and healthcare providers’ evolving expectations and needs.
“Communication is important in any relationship, and cost transparency is on the cutting edge,” he explained. “It puts the patients and physicians back in the driver’s seat. It’s a part of the consumer’s consciousness now. Cost transparency should not be legislated one way or another. There is no turning back from the “newer” healthcare model.”
Dr. Polselli’s Impact: Advocacy, Mentorship, and Recognition
Looking back over his career, Dr. Polselli realizes some moments shifted his trajectory. Now, he’s on a mission to help future healthcare professionals. If he could talk to his younger self, he’d say tune out the noise, ignore the doubters who predict failure, and stay true to one’s instincts. Persistence in the face of skepticism yields dividends in the end.
“People will slightly insult you along the way and allude to the fact that you have no idea what you are doing, not smart enough or good enough, whatever the case may be,” Dr. Polselli said. “A popular one I always heard was ‘that can’t be done.’ This attitude has more to do with their own insecurities and personal imitation than it ever has to do with you. People project a lot, and what they think and tell you has more to do with what they feel inside.”
Beyond MammoLink and breast radiology, Dr. Polselli’s influence reverberates through his advocacy for women’s health and breast cancer awareness. As an advocate for women’s health and breast cancer awareness, he collaborates with organizations like the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the American Cancer Society to support research efforts and raise awareness.
Additionally, Dr. Polselli is an advisor to medical startups, sharing his expertise and mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs. His passion for mentorship stems from his belief in fostering the next generation of innovators who will drive positive change in healthcare.
Dr. Polselli’s dedication to innovation and patient care has not gone unnoticed, earning him acclaim within the medical community.
The Atlanta Business Chronicle has recognized him as one of Atlanta’s “40 Under 40” and has also featured him in prestigious publications like The New York Times and Diagnostic Imaging. As he continues to make significant strides in breast imaging and medical entrepreneurship, Dr. Polselli remains steadfast in his commitment to expanding MammoLink’s impact and enhancing patient care.
Dr. Ryan Polselli’s Guiding Principles
“Positive reinforcement is key in everything I do,” Dr. Ryan Polselli said. “I strive to find the silver lining in every situation I face. Whether it’s uplifting a patient, applauding a technologist’s efforts, or bolstering someone’s self-esteem, I approach each circumstance with a ‘glass half full’ mentality. By fostering positive interactions, we cultivate a stronger team and foster an atmosphere of enthusiasm within our company. I seize every chance to spread positivity and uplift those around me.”
He says that one strategy that has helped his business grow is centered around finances.
“You cannot be cheap when it comes to patient care,” Polselli said. In order to grow your business successfully, you have to be willing to return your profits to your company. A small example I recently did to help grow MammoLink: I took two months’ worth of profit and spent it on another radiologist workstation. This has allowed me to improve workflow and also take on more contracts.”
He explained that putting your profits back into your business will help grow your company exponentially.
“When your team members see you investing time and money into the company to better its business and experiences, they will take care of their own sections of the company,” Dr. Polselli shared. “Play the long game. The goal is not to get as much profit as you can quickly. The goal is to continue to stay focused on the problem you are solving and be better at that than anyone else. Often, that requires sacrificing short-term financial gain.”
Outside work, Dr. Ryan Polselli finds joy in the outdoors, particularly flying, and cherishes moments spent with his wife and children, and their beloved Golden Retriever, Piper. One of his favorite $100 investments is Blinkist, a platform that houses many books on personal growth, career development, psychology, and more.
“I like to listen to these short books and write-ups while traveling from facility to facility or late at night when I am unwinding from a long work day,” he shared. “It allows me to escape when needed. I would recommend this to anyone.”
Among the books that have left a lasting impact on him is “Who Moved My Cheese?” by Spencer Johnson, MD. Dr. Polselli frequently uses this book for its insightful lessons on navigating change. He resonates deeply with Dr. Johnson’s wisdom on adaptation, redirection, and perseverance, particularly embracing quotes such as “life moves on, and so should we” and “the quicker you let go of old cheese, the sooner you find new cheese.”
Dr. Polselli believes that the valuable knowledge imparted in this book is indispensable for any entrepreneur striving for success.
When asked about his favorite quote, Dr. Polselli shared his own wisdom, which he often says to his colleagues: “Good business is often bad medicine. However, good medicine is always good business.”
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It is the essence of MammoLink.
In both his personal and professional endeavors, Dr. Polselli sticks to five fundamental principles:
- Always get back up more determined than when you were knocked down. Get back up with a vengeance.
- Prioritize experience over numbers.
- Play the long game.
- Don’t be afraid to change your approach.
- Only do what you are passionate about.