Cardiac MRI is the most comprehensive imaging test for evaluating heart disease, providing detailed assessment of cardiac structure, function, tissue injury, and blood flow. Despite its clinical value in guiding diagnosis and treatment decisions, cardiac MRI has historically been limited in availability because of the technical complexity and specialized training required to provide it.
To address limited access to cardiac MRIs for KP patients, Dr. Scott Yang pioneered TPMG’s first cardiac MRI program at KP Santa Rosa in 2009. Then, as TPMG regional chair for cardiac MRI, he single-handedly launched cardiac MRI programs at additional KP medical centers; recruited cardiologists with MRI training; and personally trained more than 30 MRI technologists, while also mentoring physicians. Dr. Yang leads a cardiac MRI team of 13 cardiologists and radiologists who meet regularly to review complex cases, implement best practices, and drive continuous program improvement.
The program now serves patients at 13 KP medical centers, providing more than 1,300 cardiac MRIs annually. From children with congenital heart disease to seniors with complex cardiomyopathies to patients with pacemakers and defibrillators, KP Northern California heart patients now have access to this advanced imaging technology close to home, where none previously existed.
Innovations championed by Dr. Yang include advanced imaging techniques, streamlined guidelines within KP HealthConnect, a regional safety protocol for performing MRIs in patients with pacemakers and defibrillators, standardized nomogram calculators to measure aorta sizes and cardiac volumes, AI-assisted scanning, and remote supervision technology, which allows patients in the Central Valley and other underserved areas to access cardiac MRI expertise without traveling hundreds of miles.
“Dr. Yang has a collaborative, problem-solving mindset, trying to not only solve local problems but also scale solutions regionally,” says Howard Dinh, MD, TPMG chair of cardiology chiefs for Northern California. “He has a tremendous work ethic, often coming in during his own free time and on weekends to support patients and colleagues. And he truly has a heart of gold.”