Diversity in the doctors in IR means more understanding in the diversity of our patients and providing an overall more inclusive place for our patients to come to for their health concerns. It matters greatly when there are cultural or language barriers to getting treatment, and having a specialty with many physicians from all walks of life can help alleviate some of those barriers.

Francine Heelan is a PGY3 resident in Radiology at Dalhousie. Francine's research in the gender discrepancy in IR within Canada was recently selected for an oral presentation at the SIR conference in March.

Dr. Aida Ahrari is a second-year radiology resident at the University of Toronto. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Ottawa, and MD-MSc at the University of Toronto. In her role as a member of the CAIR-RFS committee, Aida is involved in organizing a variety of educational opportunities for trainees interested in the field of interventional radiology.

Dr. Supersad is currently a PGY-4 resident in diagnostic radiology at the University of Alberta.  She was born and raised in Edmonton, and after medical school at the University of Calgary is back in her hometown to complete residency.

Through education, mentorship, and conversation this five-year program is on course to empower existing and future Women in Interventional Radiology.

Dr. King is currently the lead for the Department of Interventional Radiology at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning + (LGBTQ+) experience higher rates of healthcare disparities compared to their heterosexual or cisgender counterparts.  Identifying factors contributing to these disparities have included perceived discrimination from health care providers and denial of healthcare, in addition to racial identity and geographic location.

All Canadians have a fundamental right to individual protection from discrimination and bias. Promoting equity and diversity within medicine fosters a just professional and learning culture that cultivates the diverse perspectives within it, reflects the communities physicians serve, and promotes professional excellence and social accountability.

Dr. Tara Graham is the current Chief of Vascular and Interventional Radiology at Trillium Health Partners and Lecturer at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine. She completed her Interventional Radiology training at University Health Network in Toronto in 2013 and has served on the CAIR board since 2014. Her practice includes Interventional Oncology, peripheral vascular disease and aortic interventions.  She is the current President of CAIR and Scientific Director of the CAIR meeting.

Cole and Jacquie have been encouraged to use humour as much as possible given the excellent sense of humour of our reader(s).  When possible they will make fun of the interventional radiologists they work with, mostly implying that we are always busy doing non-work related things. This may or may not be true.