Humans of IR

The SIR-RFS and the Diversity and Inclusiveness Advisory Group, specifically Harjit Singh, MD, FSIR, Shantanu Warhadpande, MD, Kumar Vishal, MD, and Oleksandra Kutsenko, MD, have launched a project called “Humans of IR” that explores the origins, personal stories and connections that led our physicians to pursue a career in interventional radiology. Watch for entries in the series in SIR’s Twitter feed and in each issue of IRQ.

Daryl Goldman, MD

How did you first discover IR?

I was on my neurology rotation during my third year of med school when I first discovered IR. We had a patient with a stroke. The patient couldn’t move his entire left side, facial droop, couldn’t speak, etc. The patient went for mechanical thrombectomy and I asked to observe the procedure. I have a picture of me from that day. I was asked to hold the patient’s arm while the procedure was done so he wouldn’t move. I held his hand the entire procedure. The procedure took 20 minutes. 20 minutes and the patient was moving his left side, talking perfectly and smiling. I’ll never forget it. It was absolute magic.

Who has been your biggest inspiration?

My biggest inspiration has been the IR community. I was welcomed instantly. As soon as I showed interest in IR a whole world of mentorship opened up for me.

The IR department at Ochsner took me under their wing and supported my crazy idea of a medical student IR symposium. They provided me with the support I needed whenever I asked. I rotated at Vanderbilt and Dr. Peter Bream immediately showed me the ropes.

Next I worked with the incredible faculty at Emory, who lifted me up and made me shine.

Later I found Mount Sinai. On my first day, Dr. Robert Lookstein said, “You’re the one from Twitter!” I couldn’t believe it. He knew about me. Dr. Lookstein was the first person to sit me down and go over my resume and show me how to improve. Dr. Aaron Fischman was creative, brave and genuine. Any idea I had he would listen to and take the time to discuss further.

Additionally, the strong women IR physicians I have worked with provided the ideal of who I want to become. I could go on and on about the IR people I have had the honor to work with and call mentors. There are so many of them.

By doing IR, what do you fight for?

I fight for patients to have access to minimally invasive options for their treatment. I fight for a future of medicine in which all patients are offered only the best, most innovative care. I fight for an inclusive and welcoming specialty that inspires and attracts a diverse and collaborative community.