River City Six: Daniel Cinotto

Daniel Cinotto is the Director of Facility Operations at FirstScan (www.firstscanomaha.com), the Omaha-based company that has introduced a revolutionary yet affordable non-invasive method for prostate cancer detection that’s now being sought out by men nationwide.

Tell us a little about your business.

FirstScan is a new application of existing and proprietary MRI technology that is highly effective in the detection of most prostate cancers and is 100% non-invasive. This application is relatively new, so we are still in the process of sharing our research and the research of our peers. We are the first facility in the country to specialize exclusively on this application, and we are homegrown right here in Omaha!

How did you get started in the business?

My background and education are in marketing and operations management. Early in my career I jumped around to different industries, including wholesale foodservice and office equipment, to see what I enjoyed the most. It seemed almost natural that I would be attracted to the healthcare space, so I interviewed with another local medical imaging facility, and I was off and running. I was lucky and was trained extremely well in that position which allowed me to continue on in the business.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?

FirstScan has definitely been my biggest challenge. We have to change the standard of care when it comes to diagnosing prostate cancer, and that takes more than a smile and a handshake. This is also the first time I have started a medical imaging facility from the ground up.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

I am one of just over 1,100 CRA’s (Certified Radiology Administrators) in the US, and have since been published in industry journals writing on topics such as marketing independent facilities and operations management. Opening and building FirstScan has been a career highlight as well.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?

I remember working in office equipment sales early in my career, and a fellow salesperson and I were talking. I had been struggling with the job, the management, and the company we were working for. He had a friend who was in healthcare sales and said that he loved his job. My next job was in radiology!

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know?

I have a huge soft spot for dogs, especially rescue dogs. I have three rescue dogs now, two pit bulls and some kind of small little thing (I am not quite sure what she is but she’s adorable). Owning dogs like this is quite the undertaking, and they require a LOT of training, but if you like spending time with dogs, training can be fun!

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

‘A year from now you’ll wish you had started today.’ That got me through graduate school.

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life?

I like to think that I am a fairly decent guitar player. I’ve played since I was 7 or 8 years old. Most of my life outside of work revolves around music.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?

Via email at dan.cinotto@firstscanomaha.com or they are also welcome to connect with me on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/dancinotto). Those who want to learn more about FirstScan and the procedure we offer may visit www.firstscanomaha.com, call (402) 934-1999, or contact me directly.