The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) has appointed Dr Rajiv Rattan as its new President, marking the start of a leadership term that RANZCR says will prioritise training, clinical practice and member engagement across radiology and radiation oncology in Australia and New Zealand.
Dr Rattan, a Sydney-based clinical radiologist with more than a decade of service to the College, was elected by RANZCR’s board of directors and will serve a two-year term starting 1 January 2026.
Building on a long track record of service
Dr Rattan has held several leadership roles within RANZCR, including Board Member, Dean of the Faculty of Clinical Radiology and NSW Branch Education Officer. In these roles, he helped support trainees and influence education standards, particularly through RANZCR’s Clinical Radiology Training Program and governance committees.
In accepting the presidency, Dr Rattan emphasised his commitment to strengthening the College’s role in supporting its members and advancing clinical standards. According to the organisation, he is focused on member fulfilment, resilience and innovation as central priorities for his term.
Dr Rajiv Rattan said his priorities as president are centred on advocacy, training standards and collaboration, telling members: “As your President, my vision is clear. We will continue to strongly advocate for our patients and for our profession.”
He described it as “a matter of great pride” that the College’s “training and assessment processes are amongst the best in the world.”
“We will continue to invest in training and education to ensure that our future generations continue to thrive in a world of innovation.”
RANZCR’s role in health care
Founded in 1935, RANZCR is the peak professional body representing clinical radiologists and radiation oncologists across Australia and New Zealand.
The College plays a critical role in setting standards for specialist training, professional development and clinical practice in imaging and cancer-focused therapy.
Its purpose is to “advance excellence in diagnostic, interventional and cancer care medicine” and to support practitioners throughout their careers, from early training through to ongoing professional practice.
Dr Rattan also pledged to “build on a culture of collaboration across disciplines, across borders and across the diverse communities that we serve,” while acknowledging pressure points including “the workforce pressures”, “the increasing demand for imaging as well as cancer treatment”, “the evolving models of care” and “the equity of access that we need to ensure across communities, whether a patient is in the metro or the rural or regional setting.”
He said he had seen “the strength of our community” in the way members “mentor, collaborate and celebrate each other’s successes,” and stressed member ownership of the College.
“Most importantly, I want you to be aware that this College belongs to you… Your ideas, your energy and your expertise will shape our future… All of us, we are the College.”
Training and standards at the forefront
RANZCR oversees rigorous training programmes for specialist medical practitioners, including a five-year curriculum for clinical radiology and structured pathways to fellowship status. Fellows of RANZCR (FRANZCR) are recognised as specialist radiologists and radiation oncologists, with eligibility for specialist registration in both Australia and New Zealand.
The College also sets benchmarks for clinical standards, continuing professional development and ethical practice, which are essential to maintaining high-quality diagnostic and therapeutic services across a range of healthcare settings.
Dr Rattan’s presidency begins at a time of significant technological change in imaging and cancer care, with ongoing updates to training, professional development requirements and global collaboration expected to feature prominently in RANZCR’s agenda.
His leadership will guide the organisation through developments that aim to deliver improved patient outcomes, greater educational support for specialists and continued advocacy for the radiology and oncology professions.
The College’s annual scientific meeting is scheduled for 22–24 October 2026 in Christchurch, reflecting RANZCR’s ongoing commitment to professional engagement and knowledge exchange across the region.
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