The Journal of Digital Imaging (JDI) has been at the forefront of publishing research in medical imaging and informatics since 1998 as the official journal of the Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine (SIIM). JDI became the society’s official peer-reviewed journal soon after the Society for Computer Applications (SCAR) in Radiology was founded as an organization under the Radiology Information System Consortium (RISC) banner. Former Editor-in-Chief Janice Honeyman-Buck, PhD noted that “In 2006, the Society for Computer Applications in Radiology (SCAR) changed its name to the Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine (SIIM) to better reflect the interests and research for the organization. The change was triggered by the inclusion of medical imaging developed for medical uses other than radiology. It is appropriate and timely for a name change for the Society’s journal from the Journal of Digital Imaging (JDI) to the Journal of Imaging Informatics in Medicine to represent the inclusion of research and development in informatics for all medical images.” Throughout this change, JDI retained its status as the society’s official journal.

The founding editor was Roger A. Bauman, MD (1988–2001), with Volume 1 Issue 1 being published in November 1988. Subsequent editors were Steve Horii, MD (2001–2003), Janice Honeyman-Buck, PhD (2003–2020), and David Avrin, MD, PhD (2021–2022). Elizabeth A Krupinski, PhD took over as Editor-in-Chief in 2023 with Victoria Barnosky, PhD as Deputy Editor. From its inception through 2008, there were 4 issues per year with periodic supplements; then in 2009 it increased to 6 issues per year. The journal is fully digital with all issues currently published on-line only.

As David Avrin, MD, PhD recalls, “I was in attendance at the board meeting around 1986 when our Founding Editor Roger Bauman MD proposed support of an academic journal dedicated to the Society’s efforts in the development of digital medical imaging. I am sure that he is smiling down at us today with the implementation of the Journal’s new name as it reflects the evolution of the contributions of our members and other authors as we transition to a future of data science and artificial intelligence, a future that Roger may well have envisioned. The Journal serves as a leading indicator of developments in all domains of medical imaging as they affect medical informatics and ultimately medical care.”

As technology and the healthcare landscape have evolved, so has the scope and focus of JDI. In response to these changes, the SIIM Board of Directors has decided to change its name to the Journal of Imaging Informatics in Medicine (JIIM). Cheryl Kreider Carey, MBA, CAE, SIIM CEO of SIIM notes that “This name change aligns with the value-add SIIM offers imaging informaticists, including a digital transformation featuring a new website with an upgraded member interface. Renewing your SIIM membership ensures a continued investment in your career growth.”

JDI has played a significant role in advancing the field of medical imaging and related research for many years. However, as the healthcare industry continues to undergo profound transformations driven by technological advancements and data-driven approaches, SIIM recognized the need to adapt and evolve. Medical imaging has experienced remarkable growth and transformation over the past few decades. Advances in imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography (PET), have revolutionized disease diagnosis, treatment planning, and monitoring. Similar advances are occurring in other imaging-based specialties such as ophthalmology, pathology, dermatology, and dentistry. Moreover, the integration of imaging techniques with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning has opened new horizons for improving diagnostic accuracy and patient care.

The field of informatics, particularly imaging informatics, has become indispensable in modern medicine. SIIM’s decision to change the journal’s name to the Journal of Imaging Informatics in Medicine (JIIM) reflects SIIM’s mission and vision and several related critical factors:

  • Scope: JIIM will continue to encompass not only the traditional aspects of digital medical imaging across all imaging-based clinical specialties but also the broader domain of imaging informatics, which includes data management, interoperability, AI, and machine learning applications in medicine. The scope remains the same but reflects the changes in technology, processes, workflows, and language associated with medical imaging informatics.

  • Reflecting the current landscape: The name change acknowledges the evolving nature of the field, aligning the journal’s identity with contemporary trends and emerging research areas.

  • Emphasizing informatics: The inclusion of “Informatics” in the new title underscores the growing importance of data-driven decision-making, information systems, and computational methods in healthcare.

  • Global reach: The name change aims to make the journal more accessible and appealing to a global audience, as informatics in medicine is a universal concern with applications worldwide. SIIM’s Chair Tessa Cook, MD, PhD nicely sums it up—“Just as SIIM brings together personas from across imaging informatics to work towards improving patient care, JIIM will provide members of the community an impactful new journal in which to publish the breadth and depth of their work in imaging informatics.”

With nearly half of a million downloads last year, the journal consistently delivers valuable insights and research findings to professionals and academics alike. The transformation of JDI into JIIM reflects the dynamic nature of the medical imaging field and the increasing significance of imaging informatics in healthcare. By attracting new contributors and readers as well as more closely aligning with the evolving landscape, the journal will emphasize its commitment to publishing cutting-edge research in imaging informatics. JIIM is poised to continue its tradition of excellence in disseminating innovative research and fostering collaboration across disciplines in the pursuit of better healthcare through informatics and imaging.