There’s a story behind every woman working in IR. This September, as part of the Women in Medicine month, we are happy to offer you an insight into their inspiring journeys – if you’d like to participate in an Women in IR interview or you’d like to recommend someone to be interviewed, please contact us for more information.
Dr. Véronique Caty finished her radiology residency at Université de Montréal in 2010. She completed the first year of fellowship at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montréal, (CHUM). She then continued her post graduate training in the Bay Area, California, at El Camino Hospital. She has been working at Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont in Montreal (CIUSSS de l’est) since 2012. Her clinical interests include: dialysis access, venous insufficiency, percutaneous tumor ablation, fibromas and prostate embolization. She is involved with resident and fellow training. She has been a part of CAIR board since 2018 and is actively committed to interventional radiology advocacy to peers and patients.
What brought you to interventional radiology?
When I was studying medicine, I was not sure which field I wanted to go in. My interests were varied. I did a rotation in interventional radiology just before my residency match and I knew this is what I wanted to do. Hands on specialty at the bleeding edge of technology and minimally invasive procedures are the way to the future. I wanted to be a part of it.
What is one remarkable moment/achievement in your career?
I was honored to be asked to be a CAIR board member. A lot of IR professionals I look up to were previously part of the board or still are. I am so glad I can participate to promote interventional radiology across Canada.
What is one thing that is exciting about the future of IR?
Everything! Many procedures are shifting towards minimally invasive interventions. Especially with cancer treatments, the IR progress made in the last 10-15 years has been amazing. Interventionists are also more involved in the clinical care of patients which is so rewarding. We just need to make the public know these possibilities exist.
Any hobbies, what do enjoy doing outside of work?
I love to do sports with my family. We did a lot of cycling this summer. And as soon as snow will come, I will hit the slopes for downhill skiing. I also love to read books and let’s admit it, relax with a good movie or television series. I am trying to learn piano, I wish I stuck to lessons when I was younger – it is a lot of work to learn to play an instrument later in life.
Anecdote
My oldest daughter is 7 years old and talks a lot these days about what she wants to do when she is older. She told me: ‘I do not know what career I will choose, but I know I do not want to work during weekends like you’ to which I responded: ‘I wish for you to choose a path in which you will not mind putting in hours because it will mean you are in the right place.’ That is what IR is for me.