Connexia Spotlight: Jack Lake, DO, Neuroradiology & Radiology Operations Lead

Q: Tell us about your career journey so far. What brought you to Connexia?

A: My radiology career started in academics at the University of Oklahoma (OU), where I completed my residency.? About ? of my neuroradiology residency rotations were in peds neuro, which I loved, but I wanted more intensive adult neuroradiology training in fellowship.? To achieve this, I completed a neuro fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation which nicely balanced the pediatric experience I gained in residency.

In between my residency and returning to OU, I also completed a fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic focusing on adult neuroimaging, balancing the pediatric experience I gained during residency.?

After eight years in academics at OU, I transitioned to a hospital-based private practice, where I worked for another eight years. The private practice environment was rewarding, but COVID really transformed the workload. Our hospital volumes skyrocketed, and we were working 70-hour weeks for almost four years. It was unsustainable, and I began searching for a shift.?

I actually discovered Connexia in Radiology Business Journal. It was advertised as “teleradiology on your terms,” and after speaking with the team, I realized it was truly different from other teleradiology opportunities I had explored, and it was the answer to my search for a change.

Connexia offered everything I wanted: a balance of administrative work, physician relationship management, and reading studies. Taking a leap into teleradiology at Connexia has been life-changing, giving me more time for family and personal priorities while still having a fulfilling career.

Q: What does a typical day at work look like for you?

A: Well to start, I don’t have a commute— that saves me an hour every day! I typically log in at 8 a.m., take a look at my reading target for the day, and get started. My day includes a mix of reading a mix of both neuro and general studies, attending meetings, and taking calls with our referring clinicians - if a physician has a question about a study, I’m their guy.

As Radiology Operations Lead, I also interact with outpatient imaging center managers to address their questions about workflows and anything else they might need. By 5 p.m., I log off and spend time with my family. I love this balance—my workday is productive, and I still have time for hobbies and personal commitments outside of work, too.?

Q: How do you think Connexia sets itself apart from other radiology practices?

A: The biggest differentiator is time freedom. Our schedules allow us to work at our own pace,? while still achieving our RVU goals. Here’s a great example: a few weeks ago, I was able to coordinate coverage with my team at Connexia so I could attend my daughter’s field trip to the Oklahoma City Philharmonic - right in the middle of the day. I finished work afterward, reports were not delayed, and I was still on time to have dinner with my family. This flexibility is a godsend.

Q: From your perspective, how has teleradiology evolved over the years? Where is the industry headed?

A: I think radiology is at a critical juncture. The demand for imaging has grown exponentially, but the supply of radiologists has not always kept pace. This can leave radiologists feeling overwhelmed, and working unsustainable hours without proportional increases in pay or support. And it’s not just radiology that feels the pressure to keep up with growing volume. Over the next 10–15 years, I think we’ll see a significant growth in both teleradiology and telemedicine overall to address these growing workloads and find new ways of working.

Radiology needs the paradigm shift that Connexia provides - focusing on high-quality reads without radiologists losing their work-life balance. With teleradiology as Connexia approaches it, radiologists can read in their subspecialties when and how they want to without burning out. So it’s a win-win for the radiologists, our patients, and the imaging centers we serve.?

Q: When you’re not at work, where can we find you?

A: I’m a homebody! You might find me tending to our at-home farm with chickens, goats, and rabbits, which is like therapy for me. I also love spending time with my wife (who’s also my lifting partner in our home gym - I’m a body builder as well), or at my kids’ sporting events. I have so many other hobbies, too: like hunting, fishing, and all the construction projects that come with the farm upkeep.. Having the flexibility to pursue these interests has been absolutely incredible.