Q&A with I-MED Radiology's Professor Catherine Jones.

Learn more about I-MED Radiologist, Prof. Catherine Jones , and what drives her passion for radiology and improving patient outcomes.

What drew you to a career in radiology, and how do you find fulfillment in your work? 

I knew I wanted to be a radiologist before I finished high school. The combination of problem solving, awesome medical technology, and physics was a clear winner for me! 

What subspecialties within radiology are you particularly passionate about, and why?  

I really love cardiothoracic imaging. Cardiovascular disease and chronic lung disease are two of the most significant disease areas across the world, and we can improve people's health through screening. Imaging is so vital to the diagnosis of diseases such as coronary artery disease, COPD and lung cancer. 

What strategies do you employ to continuously improve and adapt to the evolving field of radiology? 

Every year I attend at least 5 conferences, across my subspecialty of cardiothoracic as well as more general conferences. I belong to professional radiology societies and read journal articles every week. 

Are there any hobbies or activities outside of work that you believe contribute to your success as a radiologist?  

I do karate (although not to a very high level!) and used to do kickboxing. I find the discipline of the activity helpful to focus my mind and take a break from thinking about work. 

Are there specific advancements or innovations in radiology that you're eager to be a part of or contribute to in the coming years?  

I am very much looking forward to being involved in the National Lung Cancer Screening Program starting in Australia in July 2025. Currently I am one of the radiologists helping to design and implement the program and it is a wonderful opportunity to improve health outcomes for Australians. 

Artificial intelligence is now mainstream within radiology, and I love being able to help advance the AI in radiology industry and investigate through research how it is impacting our patient outcomes. 

If you weren’t a radiologist, what would you be?   

An astrophysicist. Or an actuary. Not sure! I nearly became an orthopedic surgeon, but astrophysicist is probably my ideal role. 

What advice would you give to medical students or young professionals interested in pursuing a career in radiology? 

Radiology is the most exciting, innovative and constantly evolving medical specialty. We have come so far in the 125 years since Roentgen discovered the x-ray - imagine how far we will continue to evolve with precision molecular medicine over the next 50 years! 

What's the most surprising or unexpected thing you've learned through your work in radiology? 

Radiologists contribute to patient health in almost every medical interaction - I have come to understand just how important our work is to the health of our society. 

What's a common misconception about radiology or radiologists that you'd like to debunk? 

Radiologists don't sit in darkened rooms anymore - we like the light! We add so much value beyond writing reports. We are clinicians and we care about our patients.