What initially sparked your interest in interventional radiology, and how did your experiences during residency influence your decision to specialize in this field?
I first explored IR during my residency. In medical school, I struggled to choose between imaging and surgical specialties. I was drawn toward procedural-based specialties but ultimately chose radiology due to my love of imaging. I soon realized that IR was a lovely marriage between imaging and procedural-based options and at this point, I started to explore a future in IR.
How do you balance work and personal life in a demanding field like interventional radiology?
Balancing work and personal life is always a challenge, no matter the specialty. Procedural-based specialties do add an element of physical intensity with long hours, standing for extended periods wearing lead and the demands of 24/7 call. There is no option for remote work and the days can be stressful. However, the payoff is a job that’s rarely boring and filled with exciting new challenges. For me, balance means recognizing that I need help to succeed. Life really is a team support and you absolutely do need a village. I can’t be the best mom by myself; I need help from family and friends and I’m not afraid to ask for help when I need it. This also applies to the practice of medicine; outcomes are best when we work as a team. Teamwork allows us to perform at our best while maintaining mental health and happiness. Trying to “do it all” alone often leads to burnout.
What are some key challenges you faced as a woman in interventional radiology, and how did you overcome them?
When I chose IR as a subspecialty, I realized there were very few female role models within the field. In fact, at the time I entered the field, there were no women with children in academic IR and I wasn’t sure if having a family would be an option for me in such a job. I had many questions about pregnancy, maternity leave, and balancing family life with call duties, and there were few answers at the time. As I navigated my career, I faced challenges, especially when I had kids. The work atmosphere wasn’t always supportive, but over the years, things improved. There’s now a much greater awareness of work-life balance, which has positively impacted my younger colleagues. Representation truly does matter because I never really saw myself in this field but I imagined it would be possible and now I can see many individuals just like me everywhere and I hope that means that we are more inclusive, compassionate and welcoming to all as a specialty. I don’t think we’ve solved all the problems but we’ve certainly come a very long way.
How has the landscape of interventional radiology evolved over the years, especially in terms of gender representation?
Within the community, I think we’ve made great strides in gender equity in our field. We still have some ways to go within academic IR but I do think this is also improving slowly. I think the barriers are again around uncertainty with respect to balancing aspirations around family and work (often easier to attain in the community), concerns about radiation and fertility and fitting into a culture with fewer female representatives but I’m hopeful we will get there.
What advice do you have for women who are aspiring to enter the field of interventional radiology?
My advice is to follow your interests. If you enjoy IR, you can make it work although you will have to be open to compromise. It is possible to enjoy your work, have a family, and be happy and successful in both arenas. Do what you love and the rest will follow.
Are there any specific skills or areas of knowledge that you recommend focusing on during training for a career in interventional radiology?
Try and explore IR during residency to truly understand if it matches your expectations. The foundation of IR is imaging. This is our superpower and where we often separate ourselves from pretenders to the field. Understanding the imaging is more than half the battle so focus on being an excellent radiologist and build on these skills. Additionally, manual dexterity is essential, and there are physical demands to IR. Make sure you’re comfortable with that component of the job.
Can you share any experiences or insights related to the integration of artificial intelligence in interventional radiology practice?
AI excels in pattern recognition and repetitive tasks. While it may have a role in IR, much of our work requires creativity and adaptability, areas that AI has not yet mastered. We are constantly inventing modern ways in which to do existing procedures and novel creation is still not something AI has perfected. Our job also requires flexibility; often there are many approaches to a certain problem and this is another area that can be problematic for AI. There are areas where AI will be very helpful. Software is already utilized for planning ablation zones, calculating optimal doses for radioembolization, targeting lesions, and vessel mapping and measurement just to name a few examples; AI will make these tasks faster and more accurate. I feel AI will actually help us improve our outcomes and even standardize our work.
Can you share any insights into the networking opportunities available for women in interventional radiology?
I think CAIR is making an effort to create opportunities for networking within its umbrella and I think that the larger societies in North America are doing something similar. I think on a local scale, reaching out to those who may be able to provide insight is always helpful. I know I still keep in contact with several of my old fellows, many of whom are women and I very much enjoy seeing them develop thriving practices of their own. Remember mentors don’t have to be women, they just have to be allies in that they create inclusive and supportive environments.
What role do you think diversity plays in enhancing the practice of interventional radiology?
Representation matters. It’s motivating for people to see themselves in roles to which they aspire. A diverse workplace fosters inclusion and contributes to a sense of belonging. This is important not only for us healthcare workers but also for our patients. A healthcare team that reflects the diversity of the community we serve increases patient comfort and trust. It also can improve outcomes for marginalized populations and improve their experience within our system. When I started, my workplace was less diverse, and at times, this could feel isolating. Now, diversity has grown significantly, and it’s had a positive effect on our team and our patients. I hope that every trainee regardless of gender, ethnicity, or religion, feels accepted and welcomed in our field.
How do you see the future of interventional radiology, and what opportunities do you anticipate for women in the field?
Interventional radiology is constantly changing and it’s really only limited by our imagination. We are now moving to an independent residency model and this is likely going to accelerate the drive to subspecialization in areas such as peripheral vascular disease, interventional oncology, and even women’s health. Women can continue to develop interventions in women’s health, an area often overlooked even today. Our skills are transferable across various areas, so proficiency in one type of intervention can readily transition to another. Our field is highly creative and rapidly evolving, so the opportunities are limitless. I encourage all our fellows to pursue their interests without self-imposed limitations.
Are there any specific organizations or conferences that you recommend for networking and career development in interventional radiology?
CAIR and SIR both have women’s groups embedded in the larger organization. Reaching out on a local level to residents, fellows and staff for mentorship is always a good way to start career exploration. Make an effort to do an IR elective, and participate in conferences, rounds, or even journal clubs.
What advice do you have for women in interventional radiology who are navigating leadership roles within the specialty?
Focus on building your skills and developing your core interests; then accept opportunities on a local level whether it’s teaching, collaborating with other specialties or research-based activities and soon more leadership roles will follow. The opportunities are endless but it’s important to prioritize your interests. Learning to say no has been a bigger challenge for me than learning to say yes.
What aspects of the field/ your work do you dislike? How do you work around this?
There is an element of politics in almost every job and although I never paid attention to it early in my career, I soon realized that it played a role whether I liked it or not. Pay attention to these elements of the job even though it seems distasteful to most of us; it does impact access to resources and ultimately to job satisfaction.
Have you encountered any specific stereotypes or misconceptions about women in interventional radiology, and how do you address them?
Early in my training, I was told that IR was really only for men and that the women in the field were not interested in families because of radiation exposure and had very poor work/life balance. I soon realized this was entirely incorrect and that there were in fact women in the field and that some did in fact have families and most strived for an optimal work-life balance. I realized that radiation protection was excellent and that I didn’t have to sacrifice my desire to be a mom in order to be an IR. Over time with more women entering the field, I think this stereotype has been firmly shattered.
How do you handle situations where you may be the only woman in a professional setting, and what advice do you have for navigating such scenarios?
Early in my career, I was often one of the very few women in the field (and often the only woman of color present) but over time that situation has thankfully become very rare. When you are a sole representative, in most situations, those around you almost always make you feel like you belong but the risk of being “othered” or having to endure microaggressions does occur. In fact, I have even seen uncomfortable behavior directed at patients in this type of setting. This is the real danger when dealing with a lack of diversity. There is an impact on us as healthcare workers but often the greater impact can be on our patients. Fortunately, these situations are rare today. I think it’s important to always stay calm and not let unpleasant words or actions rattle you. I think this is why allyship is so important because if you have a cohesive workplace, even if you happen to be the only woman or perhaps the only person of color; there will be individuals who will make you feel comfortable. Be confident, open, and welcoming and hopefully, those sentiments will be reciprocated.
What steps can women take to foster a supportive and collaborative community within the interventional radiology field?
We do our best to help our colleagues and be supportive because this makes everyone’s lives easier. Reach out to your colleagues to see how they are doing and ask if they are enjoying the job. If there are issues, brainstorm together to see if you can come to an amiable solution. Make sure that your partners have the support they need to be happy in their job. A collegial and warm working environment is priceless.
How do you balance the demands of interventional radiology with family responsibilities, and what advice do you have for women aiming to achieve this balance?
Ensure you are supported by a warm and loving team. This applies to your family, friends, and your colleagues. When looking for a job, make sure the colleagues you work with understand the challenges of child-rearing and that there is a sense of working together to ensure that everyone can meet their responsibilities both at work and at home. Child rearing and IR are both team sports so don’t be afraid to ask for help. Finding your balance will take some trial and error but you will find it with some perseverance.
Can you speak to any initiatives or projects you’ve been involved in that aim to address gender disparities or enhance the representation of women in interventional radiology?
I’ve mentored women at all stages of their careers, from medical school to fellowship, and I remain available to offer support throughout their careers. I continue to stay in touch with many former fellows, both male and female and enjoy seeing them succeed. I view mentorship as a long-term investment in creating a more diverse community in IR. By helping others, we build a stronger, more inclusive field for future generations