My Informatics Journey – Dr. Les Folio

In this episode of SIIMCast, host Mohannad welcomes Dr. Les Folio, a radiologist, aerospace medicine specialist, and clinical informatics pioneer with an incredible career in medical informatics. Dr. Folio shares how a power outage at his birth in Germany sparked his lifelong curiosity and problem-solving spirit. From using makeshift doorstops as a child to advancing teleradiology and telehealth for the Air Force, his journey has been one of constant innovation.

Dr. Folio discusses his recent co-authored publication, “Imaging Informatics Education in Clinical Informatics Programs,” offering insights into how imaging informatics is evolving, along with the impact of AHIC and ACHIP certifications in the field. Personal stories add depth, like his memorable landing between the Pyrenees and the Bay of Biscay, where he shared a bottle of wine with the air traffic controller in a Spanish airport tower. A passion for fly fishing and a nod to his son Lucas, whose LinkedIn profile is linked here, round out the conversation.

Join us for Dr. Folio’s unique take on medical informatics—from darkrooms in his childhood home to the cutting-edge of telemedicine—and his vision for the future of healthcare technology.