SIR Foundation is offering an opportunity to build a community that uplifts, supports and engages generations of women IR.
The Giving Circle for the Advancement of Women (GCAW) not only provides career development opportunities but allows individuals to come together to thoughtfully and intentionally donate.
“My motivation came from seeing the disparities that still exist within interventional radiology,” said Kirema Garcia-Reyes, MD, who serves as the GCAW co-chair with Gloria Hwang, MD, FSIR. “I wanted to be part of a concrete solution that not only highlights these disparities but actively works to reduce them by creating pathways for women to succeed.”
Creating pathways
GCAW serves a dual purpose: both by empowering women in IR and empowering those who are invested in change with the chance to create opportunities for leadership, knowledge and networking growth. With support, women in IR can then better serve the specialty and broader IR community, which will ultimately benefit patients, said founding member Alan H. Matsumoto, MD, FSIR.
According to Dr. Matsumoto, fewer than 10% of practicing IRs are women, while more than 50% of medical students are women—and roughly 50% of the U.S. population are women.
“We know that patients, if given their choice, may prefer to have a physician of their same gender and ethnicity providing their healthcare,” he said. “Given the relative low numbers of women practicing IR, it is also understandably more difficult for these women to develop professional networks and opportunities for mentorship and sponsorship.”
Those applying for GCAW can request up to $2,500 in funds to support a myriad of opportunities, from travel stipends to the cost of professional development courses.
“My hope is that GCAW becomes a meaningful resource that helps women advance their careers in ways that align with their individual passions—whether through research, leadership development, education or other professional opportunities,” said Dr. Reyes. “Ultimately, I see GCAW as a catalyst for building equity and representation in IR.”
For Dr. Reyes and many other women, support for professional development can be crucial for career and research advancement.
“Throughout my career, there have been moments when support has opened doors to new opportunities, whether in research, leadership, or professional development,” she said. “Having a resource like GCAW makes a real difference not only early on, but also as women continue to grow and evolve in their careers.”
Community philanthropy
While funding is limited to female IRs, everyone is invited to join the circle.
IR has historically been a male-dominated field, said founding member Daniel B. Brown, MD, FSIR, but the strongest version of the specialty requires recruiting and supporting IRs across the entire spectrum of available candidates.
“Getting involved with GCAW was a no brainer for me,” he said. “It is a starting point to greater diversity in the field and members can contribute and dive in as it launches to see the greater impact over time.”
A giving circle is different from an endowment or award: in a giving circle, individuals pool their dollars and then decide together how to contribute it. It’s an ongoing process of community philanthropy.
“The concept of a Giving Circle was unfamiliar to me,” said Dr. Matsumoto. “By joining GCAW, you not only provide an opportunity to expand the growth and education of women in IR but are able to have a personal say in how your dollars are distributed and used. The purpose and concept both resonated with me.”
In Dr. Reye’s eyes, GCAW has also become a mentorship opportunity, one which connects her with leaders across the field of both genders, united by a shared vision of supporting women.
“GCAW is not just about financial support—it’s about building a community that recognizes talent, amplifies voices, and invests in the future of IR,” said Dr Reyes. “By engaging with GCAW, members and applicants gain access not only to resources, but also to an incredible network of mentors and peers who can accelerate career growth.”
How does it work?
- Members join the Giving Circle for the Advancement of Women through a gift to SIR Foundation.
- The giving circle members are presented with opportunities to fund, and the opportunity with the most votes receives the donated dollars.
- Interested applicants will apply for the specified opportunity and will be funded.
- One year later, the impact of their collective giving is shown to the GCAW and then the GCAW chooses the next round of opportunities to fund.
What opportunities are supported?
GCAW members vote on funding opportunities each year. In 2025, support opportunities included:
- American College of Radiology (ACR) Leadership Summit
- 2026 Radiology Leadership Institute (RLI) Leadership Accelerator Course
- RLI From Peer to Leader: Practical Skills for the New Radiology Leader
- American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) ELEVATE Certificate in Leadership for Women Physicians
- 2025 Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA) Certificate Programs
- Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Early Career Women Faculty Leadership Development Seminar
- Harvard Leadership Development for Physicians in Academic Medical Centers program
Learn more about GCAW, how to give and when funding applications open at SIR Foundation.
