Austin Radiological Association

Roots of the Austin Radiological Association can be traced back to 1954 when Dr. Robert Snider arrived in Austin, and began work as the first full-time radiologist at the original Seton Hospital. His goal was to offer "excellent patient care and radiological services to the Austin community". He strove to make imaging services convenient for patients both in and out of the hospital, and wanted Austin to have access to the best technology possible. Toward this end, he began offering outpatient radiology services in a remodeled house at 2410 Rio Grande in 1956. Equipment consisted of a diagnostic x-ray unit with fluoroscopy, and two state-of-the-art radiation treatment units. By that time, his practice had grown enough to hire on another radiologist. The practice then became known as the Austin Radiological Group (ARG). Over the next 34 years until 1990, the group grew more or less steadily with the growth of Austin. A radiologist was added every few years. The group provided services for new hospitals such as Shoal Creek Hospital, Seton Northwest Hospital, and South Austin Hospital. New outpatient imaging facilities were also added. The name of the group was officially chartered as the Austin Radiological Association (ARA) in 1968. More rapid growth occurred from 1990 onward as Austin and the surrounding regions of Central Texas began to grow more rapidly. Nine new radiologists were added in 1990, and 9 more in 1996 after a merger with the Radiology Consultants group. Twenty-five radiologists were added between 1998 and 2004, bringing the total to 57. Radiologist staffing was expanded to 13 area hospitals. Several new imaging facilities were added from Round Rock to San Marcos, bringing the total to 14. Staff has grown proportionately to over 500.