Woman. Interventional radiologist. You rarely heard those terms together in Manitoba until Dr. Alessandra Cassano-Bailey entered the field of interventional radiology in 2012.

Before Dr. Cassano-Bailey was a doctor, she was Miss Cassano, physics and chemistry teacher at St. John’s High School where she attended as a student not too long before. This position is where she first made room for herself in what was traditionally a male-dominated field. “I took over from my old physics teacher who was retiring and was happy to have a female in that role,” says Dr. Cassano-Bailey.

While Dr. Cassano-Bailey knew from a young age that she wanted to be a doctor, she awakened a passion for teaching when she tutored her fellow University of Manitoba basketball teammates. Dr. Cassano-Bailey pursued teaching before following her childhood dream of becoming a doctor. Even though Dr. Cassano-Bailey has retired from the basketball court and the high school classroom, she has found a field where she can weave in teaching. In her current role as an interventional radiologist at HSC Winnipeg, Dr. Cassano-Bailey mentors resident doctors and teaches her patients about their liver health. “I was able to build one career on top of the other,” notes Dr. Cassano-Bailey.

Full article via HSC Foundation.

Type of Remuneration: Fee for Service

About the Opportunity

The Department of Radiology at Victoria, British Columbia seeks to recruit a full time Radiologist with Interventional Radiology sub-speciality.

The successful applicant will join a group of 26 Radiologists, including 5 other Interventional Radiologists, who cover the Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria General Hospital, Saanich Peninsula Hospital, Lady Minto Hospital, the BC Cancer Agency and a variety of clinics in Victoria, BC.

Through our two Siemens Artis Q equipped interventional suites, we provide Interventional Radiology services to the whole Vancouver Island with a population of approximately 870 000.  We offer essentially the gamut of body interventional radiology (including interventional oncology), diagnostic neuroangiography and endovascular treatment for ischemic stroke.

The average week consists of 2 – 3 days of Interventional Radiology with 2 – 3 days of General Radiology (including MR, CT, US, X-ray, biopsies, drainages and fluoroscopy procedures).  Attendance at interdisciplinary rounds and after hours/on call services (with a frequency of approximately 1 in 6) are required.

Qualifications

Candidates must hold Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada certification in Radiology (FRCPC) and be eligible for full licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC.  An Interventional Radiology fellowship and willingness to learn endovascular treatment for ischemic stroke (or experience in EVT) are required.  Please refer to the BC Medical Quality Initiative for training/experience requirements (http://bcmqi.ca/credentialing-privileging/dictionaries/view-dictionaries).

Locuming with the group is encouraged if possible.

To Apply

Please submit a letter of intent and CV to melina.warren@viha.ca and jacobus.kritzinger@viha.ca​

Deadline is April 15 2021.

Maternity leave locum opportunity in Kamloops, BC

Type of remuneration: Daily Locum Rate
Incentive: Travel and Accommodation expenses

Kamloops Medical Imaging is seeking a locum Interventional Radiologist to join our group March 29, 2021 to cover a 5 month maternity leave. Shorter locum coverage will be considered.

The Medical Imaging department at the Royal Inland Hospital is a collaborative team of 8 radiologists. Currently 2 are fellowship trained in Interventional Radiology. Royal Inland Hospital is a Tertiary Care and Trauma Centre providing services in x-ray, fluoroscopy, ultrasound (Phillips IU22), CT (Siemens Dual Source Flash x2), MRI (1.5T GE), digital mammography, nuclear medicine, bone densitometry and vascular/non vascular interventional.

Responsibilities include Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology coverage. There is currently no Interventional call and minimal Diagnostic call expectation past 6 pm (US and MRI). Candidates must hold certification from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and be eligible for full licensure by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC. Fellowship training in Interventional Radiology is a requirement.

Kamloops is a city of approximately 100,000 residents located in the Interior of British Columbia. Sun Peaks Resort is located a short 45 minute drive away and is the second largest ski area in Canada. Kamloops boasts some of the hottest summers (33 days > 30 degrees) and is ranked second for the driest climate and warmest spring.

Interested candidates should submit a CV and cover letter:  Dellano Fernandes, MD, FRCPC, Department of Medical Imaging, Royal Inland Hospital, 311 Columbia Street, Kamloops BC V2C 2T1 or by email to:  dr.dellano.fernandes@interiorhealth.ca

With a growing demand for minimally invasive procedures and a large underserved population worldwide, global outreach in IR is growing at a rapid pace. Tanzania is at the center of these advances with road2IR, the first IR training program in Subsaharan Africa.  In Tanzania, a country of over 60 million people, there is only 1 diagnostic radiologist per 1 million people and no prior IR service.

Established in 2018 under the leadership of Yale University’s Dr. Frank Minja, neuroradiologist, and Dr. Fabian Laage Gaupp, IR fellow then resident, road2IR has created an IR master of science (MSc) degree at the Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in Dar es Salaam.  The curriculum is based on hands-on case-by-case learning as well as online teaching and journal clubs. The first three IR fellows in the program are Dr. Ivan Rukundo, Dr. Azza A. Naif, and Dr. Erick M. Mbuguje. They have previously completed their diagnostic radiology residency at the same institution.  Three radiology residents have already been selected to start their IR training in the next academic year.

Road2IR has attracted the participation of many IR departments including Emory, Yale, and Michigan. From Canada, there has been participation from health professionals from McGill University and Lakeridge Health in Oshawa. All visiting IR teams are welcomed at MNH as part of two-week rotations. Teams are composed of an interventional radiologist, IR nurse, IR technologist, and may include fellows, residents, and medical students.  Flights for IR nurses and technologists are paid for in full by the organization. The aim of road2IR is not only to train the physicians but to train an entire team, as the techs and nurses are also new to IR in Tanzania.

A unique lR learning environment and new cultural experiences were driving factors in my decision to join the February 2020 University of Michigan team as a second-year radiology resident. Having discovered the program a year earlier online, I was initially hesitant to embark on my first international radiology project, especially with an IR team from another institution whom I did not know. However, I am so glad to have taken this leap of faith, as my participation in the new IR program in Tanzania has been one of the most rewarding experiences.

What happens when you sign up as a volunteer? Pre-departure preparations and logistics are organized by the road2IR team, making the experience simple and seamless. You receive an email containing information to facilitate your trip and have a series of calls to go over details and answer questions. Once in Dar Es Salaam, you are greeted at the airport and taken to your team’s apartment, a 20 min walk from the hospital. For the two-week period, your team has a dedicated driver.  You typically work from 8 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday.  A teaching session given by the visiting attending, first thing in the morning, is always welcome. Residents and fellows work up and present referred patients to the visiting attending to plan appropriateness, type, and timing of intervention.  On weekends, visiting teams are encouraged to explore the beaches of Zanzibar or go on a safari adventure in the Serengeti National Park.

During my two week rotation, we did ultrasound and CT guided core biopsies, nephrostomy and biliary drainage tube insertions and exchanges, biliary stent insertions, uterine artery embolizations, a splenic artery embolization, and a permacath insertion. Limited resources fostered creativity and innovation in the IR procedure room. The positive impact of these minimally invasive procedures was undeniable. Inserting percutaneous nephrostomy tubes allowed patients with obstructive uropathy, due to advanced cervical cancer, to have symptom relief. Offering image-guided core biopsies increased the probability of pathological diagnosis, in comparison to the local practice of blind fine-needle aspirations.

The highlight of my experience was working with and learning from the motivated local team of IR fellows, residents, nurses, and techs.  I have reached out to the current IR fellows to get their perspective on their road2IR initiative.

Dr. Rukundo, how did you get introduced to IR, and what made you develop a passion for this specialty?

My introduction to image-guided interventions was during my exchange clinical rotation in Interventional Cardiology at a hospital in Germany. The procedures were life-saving, less invasive, and looked fancy like nothing I had ever seen back home. When I finished medical school, I had already decided on doing radiology and not cardiology but still wanted to pursue the dream of doing the fancy, image-guided and life-saving procedures. My passion grew because of my love for the ever-evolving imaging technology, the chance to interact with patients and the innovation in IR.

Dr. Naif,  what benefits have you seen with offering IR services in Tanzania?

The benefits have been immense. We have heard so many positive feedback from the referring services and patients themselves. We have been able to somehow extend life expectancy to some of our patients, for example, those with advanced cervical cancer who were not able to undergo chemotherapy due to renal failure. Without percutaneous nephrostomies, their cancer treatment was not an option for them.

Dr. Mbuguje, what were the logistics and difficulties involved in introducing road2IR in your institution? 

I would comment that there were no difficulties, rather opportunities. The IR service in Tanzania is a new field of medicine. We were required to introduce the field even to our fellow doctors and community in general through clinical meetings and going on live television for public awareness. Our institutes welcomed it with great passion and gave us the support we wanted. Current challenges are the availability of  IR attendings, nurses, and technologists, and the issue of equipment which is still a problem in Tanzania and Africa in general.

Dr. Naif, what has been the highlight of your IR experience thus far?

To see those patients that would have died but otherwise got saved by IR procedures. To be able to learn from the incoming teams has also been the best experience. Everyone comes in so enthusiastic to teach which has been really great.

Dr. Rukundo, what do you think could be done to improve the process and outreach of road2IR even more?

I would say increasing the time that visiting teams spend in Tanzania from two week blocks to let’s say one month or more depending on availability. This would help trainees to steadily develop under the available attending and would give more time for attendings to train targeted skills and better monitor the progress of trainees. Another idea is increasing global visibility via a road2IR website where all information can be accessed.

Dr. Mbuguje, how could Canadian IR teams contribute to road2IR?

The most important is to develop mutual agreements on how we can arrange human resources in capacity building. For example, sending IR attendings, nurses and technologists, getting the chance to attend professional meetings and workshops conducted by Canadian IR societies as well as benefit from professional mentorships.

In the short two years since its creation, road2IR has flourished into a multi-university collaborative effort and has become the new model for IR global outreach missions. The future is bright for this program which has been recently awarded the Derek Harwood-Nash International Education Scholar Grant by the RSNA Research and Educational Board of Trustees. There are now plans of expansion to create the first IR program in Rwanda, as Dr. Rukundo intends to bring his training back to his home country. Road2IR is also working with the Society of African Interventional Radiology and Endovascular Therapy (SAFIRE) towards advancing vascular and interventional radiology throughout the African continent.

Road2IR is always looking for IR teams to participate in their initiative, may it be in-person or virtually. If you are interested and would like to get more information, please contact me at aline.d.khatchikian@mail.mcgill.ca, follow road2IR on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook, and visit Yale University’s global IR outreach website.

Article submitted by Aline D. Khatchikian, MD, PGY-3 Radiology Resident at McGill University

Over the last 50-55 years, since the first description of peripheral angioplasty, interventional radiologists (IRs) are at the forefront in advancing minimally invasive treatments of various diseases from the head (endovascular treatment of stroke) to the toe (limb salvage peripheral vascular treatments with angioplasty).

Interventional radiologists participate in different multidisciplinary care teams in the treatment of various diseases including (but not limited to):

• Peripheral vascular disease with endovascular therapies like balloon angioplasty, stenting, clot retrieval among others for patients with acute stroke and vascular disease involving the neck, aorta and branches, pelvis and legs for both occlusive and aneurysm disease
• Cancer with different procedures like biopsies, venous access for chemotherapy and different image-guided therapies for various cancers including tumour ablation, chemoembolization and radioembolization
• Dialysis interventions with different procedures for dialysis dependent patients including placement of hemodialysis catheters and maintenance of AV fistulas and grafts
• Trauma and emergency interventions with different embolization procedures in patients with acute life-threatening bleeding
• Inpatient interventions including many of the procedures listed, along with venous access procedures, enteral feeding procedures, abscess drain insertions, nephrostomy and biliary drain insertions among others

In addition, many Canadian IRs have followed the lead from their counterparts in other countries, by establishing clinical services. This includes outpatient IR clinics to allow for preprocedural clinical assessment, discussion of the intervention and development of a patient care plan, both in discussion with the patient and referring physician.  As part of this service, many Canadian IRs have inpatient privileges to admit and manage patients after their IR procedures.  As with any specialty, IRs should consult with any appropriate specialists to ensure good patient management, at their discretion.

This departure from “technician” and from the traditional role of diagnostic radiologist led to IR receiving subspecialty status from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and to the development of the IR residency.  Although the technical skills of an IR are paramount, clinical training is emphasized in the standards of training documents.

In summary, CAIR supports interventional radiologists in taking an active role in patient care, including outpatient clinics and inpatient admissions in the care of patients undergoing IR procedures.

CAIR Board of Directors

Les imprévus vont de pair avec la médecine, un domaine dans lequel la certitude n’existe pas. Ce sont la capacité d’adaptation des médecins et leur acharnement à prévoir l’imprévisible qui leur permettent de garder leur calme et leur sang-froid.

Dr. Veronique Caty – Tele-Quebec – ‘De garde 24/7 Imprévus’

Opportunity type: Two Permanent Fulltime & Locum opportunity
Estimated Annual Salary: Competitive Remuneration
Type of remuneration: FFS – Fee for Service
NSHA Incentive: Site Visit & Relocation Allowance Programs
Department of Health and Wellness Incentive: Debt Assistance, Tuition Relief

Position Profile: The Department of Diagnostic Imaging at Cape Breton Regional Hospital (CBRH) seeks to recruit two full-time Radiologists with Interventional Radiology (IR) sub-specialty. The successful applicants will join a group of 8 Radiologists at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital serving the Cape Breton Regional Municipality and the surrounding communities with a catchment area of over 150,000. These positions are full time with teaching opportunities. There is an on-call requirement.

Cape Breton Regional Hospital is a 250 beds tertiary care institution that provides a broad range of medical care to patients in the Eastern Zone of the Nova Scotia Health Authority. Radiology service at Cape Breton Regional Hospital is equipped to provide a full range of diagnostic imaging. The Interventional Radiology service provided at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital is a vital service for the area. Planned expansion of services in Cape Breton will increase IR work in the near future. Expansion of the Cape Breton Cancer Center and a new CT in emergency department are only a few of the progressive changes happening at Cape Breton Regional Hospital. You will work closing with colleagues throughout the province.

Qualifications: Candidates must be certified, or eligible for certification, by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, eligible for licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia and satisfy the credentialing requirements of the Nova Scotia Health Authority.

See full posting.

To Apply / For more information: Bill O’Brien, Physician Recruitment Consultant
Nova Scotia Health Authority – Easter Zone
Phone: 902-574-3189
Email: Bill.Obrien@nshealth.ca

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. Alessandra Cassano-Bailey is an Interventional Radiologist at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg and the Program Director for Diagnostic Radiology at the University of Manitoba.

She was born and raised in Winnipeg and began her career as a high school teacher of Chemistry and Physics later completing her degree in Medicine at the University of Manitoba. Following residency training in Diagnostic Radiology she completed a sub-specialty fellowship in Interventional Radiology at the University of Manitoba and McGill University.

Her special interests include Interventional Oncology where in 2013 she initiated the Transarterial Chemoembolization program.

In addition to being a wife, mother of two and former university basketball player, she was the first practicing female Interventional Radiologist in the Province of Manitoba.

What brought you to interventional radiology?

After completing almost 3 years of residency training in General Surgery, it was during an elective in Radiology where I gained an appreciation for the incredible impact that Radiology, and later Interventional Radiology, have on all fields of medicine from Pediatrics to Geriatrics to Internal Medicine to General Surgery.  Shortly thereafter I transferred to Radiology and IR immediately became a field that combined my love of procedural work, patient interaction and clinical problem solving.

What is one remarkable moment/achievement in your career?

Starting the Interventional Oncology program at the University of Manitoba in 2013 and then performing the first TACE case in Manitoba.

What are some challenges women working in IR face?

This career has embraced capable women able to meet the rigors and challenges required of any physician in this field. Currently there are four women in the CAIR Board female including the incoming President. All of us are parents and able to balance this with a busy and exciting career. One issue is the lack of visibility of women in this specialty and we, as the Board of Directors, are working to address this.

What is one thing that is exciting about the future of IR?

The endless procedure possibilities limited only by the technological development in the equipment we use and the imagination in how we use it.

Any hobbies, what do enjoy doing outside of work?

I played basketball in university and still enjoy playing court sports including volleyball. I’m a lover of animals and particularly a saltwater reef enthusiast.

What is one interesting thing you want to share with us about you? 

I am of southern Italian heritage and make the meanest, most authentic, fired oven pizza this side of the Adriatic.

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. Melissa Skanes graduated Pharmacy school, Medical school and subsequently a radiology residency at Memorial University of Newfoundland. In 2012 – 2013, she completed a Vascular & Interventional Radiology fellowship at UHN in Toronto. After this, she moved back home to Newfoundland to begin a staff position as a Vascular & Interventional Radiologist. She is currently the Clinical Chief of Interventional Radiology for the Eastern Health region, as well as an executive member of the Newfoundland & Labrador Association of Radiologists. Her scope of practice is predominantly interventional oncology, hepatobiliary, urology, and dialysis interventions. Currently, she is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Radiology with Memorial University, rotation head for Interventional Radiology in residency, and a member of the Residency Training Committee at Memorial. Dr. Skanes is also heavily involved with the state of the art simulation lab at Memorial University, with a predominant focus of teaching medical students and Radiology residents image guided procedures.

What brought you to interventional radiology?

Our Radiology residency has the unique advantage of no fellows. Therefore, we obtain very early hands-on training for all procedures. I really enjoyed the procedural work during my residency.

What is one thing that is exciting about the future of IR?

Over the last 10-15 years, the number of new and innovative procedures in IR has grown exponentially. This will continue for quite some time.

What is one remarkable moment/achievement in your career?

Being appointed Interventional Radiology Chief for the Eastern Health region.

Any hobbies, what do enjoy doing outside of work?

Spending time with my family, being active and enjoying the incredible great outdoors of NL!

What is one interesting thing you want to share with us about you? 

I played 5 years of varsity basketball for the Memorial SeaHawks during undergrad.

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. 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 Vice President of CAIR and Scientific Director of the CAIR annual meeting.

What brought you to interventional radiology?

I was initially drawn to the procedural element of the practice having previously considered a career in surgery and starting my training in anesthesiology. Ultimately IR lured me away from the OR.  The breadth of disease that IRs treat as well as the varying acuity of the cases makes it an exciting and challenging specialty. We are often asked to solve complex, high-stake problems that require innovation and sound clinical and technical decision making. It keeps life interesting!

What is one thing that is exciting about the future of IR?

I think that one of the most exciting aspects of IR is our evolving role in multidisciplinary care. In my relatively short time in practice, I have seen IRs truly become a core member of the clinical care team. Our perspective and expertise has become an essential part of patient care and is invaluable to the community we serve.

What is one remarkable moment/achievement in your career?

Program building has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. Working with my colleagues to develop and grow the Interventional Oncology program at THP is a highlight. I have also worked closely with our vascular surgeons to continue to grow the advanced aortic practice at our institution. It takes a lot of commitment, patience and collaboration to program build, but the success of the programs is very satisfying.

Any hobbies, what do enjoy doing outside of work?

I try and cycle when I can. Catch me on Zwift if you can!

What is one interesting thing you want to share with us about you? 

When I’m not at the hospital, I’m home with my son Sebastian. I’ve already started him on the IR conference circuit and you may spot him at upcoming meetings as possibly the youngest attendee!