Millennials have been raised during a time of skyrocketing technological advances. Our lives are almost instinctively integrated with the internet, innovation and the belief that the sky’s the limit. Our demand for high standards fits well with IR—one of the most innovative, constantly adapting, minimally invasive specialties in medicine—and we are proud and excited to join the specialty.
In the United States, the federal government is the leading payer for physician services as well as primary distributor of medical access for the general population. However, most lawmakers do not have expertise in medicine—especially IR. It is our responsibility, then, to educate lawmakers on how IR advancements in clinical practice and research can help.
Members of the SIR Resident, Fellow and Student Section (SIR RFS) are stepping up to the challenge, actively supporting and advocating for IR on all fronts. For example, the SIR RFS Advocacy Committee has collaborated with the SIR Government Affairs Committee to organize regular Grassroots Leadership Programs, Days on the Hill and Congressional Briefings. These events have provided both IR faculty and IRs-in-training with the opportunity to convey the value of IR to political leaders. In this article, we have collected reflections from our politically active program participants on the value of IR advocacy.
Jacob Bundy, MD
Resident at Wake Forest Baptist Health, Chair, SIR RFS Health Policy and Economics Committee
I believe the Grassroots Leadership Program strengthens residents’ understanding of the policies that directly influence the practice of IR. As a Grassroots participant, I will utilize this experience to further educate residents and faculty regarding the benefits of IR advocacy and its role for our specialty. Advocacy on behalf of SIR allows the goals and needs of IRs to be heard within the political sphere and empowers professionals to gain access to politicians who directly shape the bills that affect the practice of IR. I am excited to gain insight into the advocacy process and educate congressional representatives regarding the impact IR has on patient care.
Michael Drabkin, MD
IR Fellow at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Awareness is a pre-requisite to getting people to support an issue, and it is likely that many of our politicians have little knowledge regarding radiology—particularly IR. I was fortunate to participate in Capitol Hill Day at SIR 2017. We spoke directly with members of Congress and their staff members. I saw firsthand the power of conveying the basic knowledge of what it is that IRs do. A congressional staff member who had previously not heard of IR broke into tears when she realized that IR directly contributed to the treatment of a close family member. That realization appeared to have the effect of rallying her to support IR. That short face-to-face communication was impactful. Meeting with Congress members is necessary in order to ensure that we have a voice in the future of IR and the future of medicine.
Chris Molloy, MD
IR Fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital
During my SIR Grassroots experience (September 2018), I learned that, while congressional members participate in decisions regarding scope of practice and reimbursement, very often many of these same decision-makers do not know what IRs do. The SIR Grassroots Program provides an avenue for IRs to educate our Congress about who we are, what we do and why it is so important to maintain funding for our training programs, as well as protect funding for IR procedures so we can continue to provide the highest quality care for our patients.
Shantanu Warhadpande, MD
Resident at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
I was involved in the Grassroots Program in 2018. As a resident, this experience could not have been more valuable. It opened my eyes to what it takes to elicit true, tangible change on the grander scale and gave me a glimpse of the inner workings of a political office. Perhaps more importantly, it showed me that we (individually and as a specialty) do have a voice and change is possible. All it takes is one connection, one conversational spark or one chance meeting to align ourselves with an ally who has the power to vouch for us. The Grassroots Program opens doors you never even knew existed and gives you that rare opportunity to make connections.
