add that the data emerging from these model centers may not yet be generalizable to our national or worldwide physical therapist communities.19 In an attempt to reduce specialty care costs (eg, ordering of imaging) for patients with low back pain, changes in the clinical decision pathway were proposed and included implementation of an evidenced-based protocol with physical therapists up front. After 1 year, the model yielded favorable results. The number of ordered MRI exams and total cost per episode of care were both reduced. Furthermore, the initiation of direct-access physical therapy resulted in fewer patients transiting to the chronic pain center. While further research is required before definitive conclusions can be drawn, this example provides strong foundation for welcoming physical therapists who are well versed in the implementation of appropriate imaging guidelines, as front-line providers.Health systems in which physical therapists are specifically empowered to function as first-line providers include the US Military, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, the Department of Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care Systems,Another example of physical therapists functioning under expanded primary care privileges is the 2004 pilot project from the Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, WA. TOWARDS A NEW NORMATIVE MODEL FOR PHYSICAL THERAPIST PRACTICEIAn important personal context for this special issue is my belief that such interdisciplinary professional collaboration, at least with respect to MRI, can be further cultivated by physical therapists who seek formal or informal opportunity to gain an improved working knowledge of (1) the complexities of MRI,ncorporation of didactic content on diagnostic imaging (eg, radiography, computed tomography, ultrasound, MRI) has become the educational norm for entry-level and transition Doctor of Physical Therapy degree students. Additionally, there are a number of professional development opportunities offered through advanced clinical practice courses by the APTA. Clinicians and researchers in our field have published and continue to publish seminal and oftentimes multidisciplinary works related to imaging.6,8,9,12-16,23,24,26-28 Our journals continue to publish more imaging-related studies/cases, and our professional conferences encourage and accept poster and platform submissions that feature imaging. Finally, the recent development of the Special Interest Group on Imaging within the Orthopedic Section of the APTA is another important contribution to developing practice competencies, reducing practice variability, fostering imaging curriculum in physical therapist education, and promoting the role of the physical therapist, as a primary care team member, in judicious referral for imaging procedures. These all represent a great start for informing the entire physical therapist community and other stakeholders (medical practitioners, administrators, insurers, legislators, and the public) regarding the evolving important role of imaging within the scope of physical therapy practice. However, to realize the maximum potential and success of such a model, collegial collaboration with others inside and outside the physical therapy profession is imperative. This collaborative approach is consistent with the definition of professional autonomy, not deviant from it.21 (2) the issues related to patient and operator safety when working in an MRI environment,10 (3) determining the best sequences for identifying pathology,11,29,30 (4) emerging evidence that highlights advanced imaging applications,1,5 (5) continued vigilance regarding overutilization of MRI services,17 and, finally, (6) a history of