Each quarter, this column will spotlight one of SIR's sections while providing updates on the others. Check this column to stay informed of activities, initiatives and upcoming meetings.
Association of Chiefs in Interventional Radiology
The Association of Chiefs in Interventional Radiology (ACIR) is seeking increased engagement from academic and nonacademic IR chiefs across the country. The ACIR is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of the art and science of IR by the promotion of medical education, research and patient care, the development of methods of undergraduate and graduate teaching in IR and the provision of a forum for discussion of problems and mutual interest among IR Chiefs.
The ACIR semiannual meetings occur both during the SIR Annual Scientific Meeting and as an independent meeting every fall. The ACIR is actively engaged in addressing topics critical to IR leadership including administration of IR groups, political issues affecting IR chiefs and IR practices, effective leadership and development, and strategic approaches to evolving educational and clinical issues.
During the ACIR fall meeting this past October, the section discussed the impact of COVID-19 on IR finances, and developing contingency and recovery plans. ACIR leadership strived to ensure all IR chiefs are prepared to address the challenges facing healthcare as a result of COVID-19. In addition, the meeting focused on creating bonus structures for chiefs and faculty, the separation of IR services from diagnostic radiology and becoming hospital employed. Chiefs shared resources, best practices and guidelines used to help support and grow interventional radiology and academic and nonacademic centers.
ACIR Board of Directors
- Jafar Golzarian, MD, FSIR—Chair
- Torrance Andrews, MD, FSIR—Incoming Chair
- Riad Salem, MD, MBA, FSIR—Immediate Past Chair
- Kevin Kim, MD, FSIR—Secretary
- Sebouh A. Gueyikian, MD—Councilor-at-large (private practice)
- Fakhir F. Elmasri, MD—Councilor-at-large (private practice)
Homepage: bit.ly/ACIR-SIR
SIR Connect community: bit.ly/3plgvH7
Contact Caitlin Couture at ccouture@sirweb.org to join.
Early Career Section
The Early Career Section (ECS) recently launched SIR’s Virtual Angio Club series. In addition, the ECS is working on strengthening mentorship and camaraderie through the Mentor Match program and ECS forum on SIR Connect, as well as increasing early-career IR representation on SIR committees. In addition, ECS has been providing membership alerts regarding the ABR and oral exam changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Homepage: bit.ly/ECS-SIR
SIR Connect community: bit.ly/3nLdyPh
Underrepresented Minorities in IR Section
In order to further our commitment to diversity, SIR has launched the new Underrepresented Minorities in IR (URM) Section. This section will focus on the advancement of IR within underrepresented minority communities at all career levels. The goal is to increase participation of and empower like-minded IRs who are passionate about expanding minority representation. The URM Section will be led by Co-chairs Derek L. West, MD, MS, and Keith M. Horton, MD, FSIR.
Homepage: bit.ly/URM-SIR
SIR Connect community: bit.ly/33ci6pQ
Women in IR
Women in IR (WIR) has begun a series of webinars to support the promotion and recruitment of women in IR, the most recent featuring a panel discussion on work–life integration. Upcoming webinar topics include “Experts of IR” and mentorship discussions, with more programming planned in conjunction with SIR 2021.
Homepage: bit.ly/WIR-SIR
SIR Connect community: bit.ly/3m0MKdh
Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants Section
The Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants (NP/PA) Section held an open call for volunteers interested in serving on the section’s Governing Council. Members of the Governing Council meet monthly to plan strategy and assist committees as they work to develop resources specifically for NP and PA SIR members. The section’s CME Committee reviewed and recommended the content included in a primer for IR trainees (bit.ly/trainee-primer) to be helpful for NPs and PAs who are new to IR. New projects being discussed within the section include programming for SIR 2021 and identifying members interested in mentoring.
Homepage: bit.ly/NAPA-SIR
SIR Connect community: bit.ly/2WEH8dC
Resident, Fellow and Student Section
The Resident, Fellow and Student (RFS) section and its committees have been working on multiple projects specifically for medical student and resident members. In November 2020, with the assistance of SIR Foundation, they launched the second iteration of the Introduction of Research Online Program (ITROP). Over 130 members are participating in this 10-week program. Also, within the RFS, members of the Medical Student Council's Education committee previewed part of their "IR for Kiddos" project, specifically their PICC Line coloring book, a pediatric procedure guide created to teach children about PICC lines, and why they may need one.
Homepage: rfs.sirweb.org
SIR Connect community: bit.ly/3pcPPrZ
Association of Program Directors in IR
The Association of Program Directors in IR (APDIR) has spent 2020 helping its member programs navigate the IR residency match application and interview process, which was modified due to COVID-19 restrictions. In August, APDIR held a Holistic Review Webinar to educate members about different holistic review methods for assessing residency applications, a process even more important this year because applications may not include some traditionally used assessment criteria due to COVID-19. Since many medical student IR away rotations were cancelled, APDIR also implemented new integrated and independent IR residency virtual Meet and Greet programs as a way for medical students and DR residents to learn about APDIR member residency programs virtually.
Homepage: bit.ly/APDIR-SIR
