When asked, “How do I benefit as an SIR member?,” many SIR members mention education, including in-person meetings (SIR Annual Meeting, SIR EDGE, etc.) Angio Clubs, and webinars. Others talk about advocacy, quality, the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, IR Quarterly, standardized reporting, billing and coding guidance, and/or research. SIR has so many member benefits, both tangible and intangible.
We asked the SIR community what their favorite member benefits were, in order to codify the true value of SIR membership.
Professional development
Robust IR professional development is one major thing that sets SIR apart from other societies. SIR supports and advocates for the professional development of its members in a variety of practice types, including all of the items and events listed above. SIR supports and advocates for the professional development of its members in a variety of practice types, including all the items and events listed above. However, it also includes supporting professional identity formation of SIR members via networking, the SIR Mentor Match program, SIR leadership development academy, section activities (Underrepresented Minorities, Women in IR, Early Career Section, NP/PA, RFS, APDIR, and ACIR) and a tremendous amount and variety of online resources. –Jason C. Hoffmann, MD, FSIR, SIR Membership Services Division Councilor
Staying plugged in
After pursuing a career in private practice, I was worried that some of the techniques and skills I learned in fellowship would fade if I didn’t find a way to stay up to date with novel techniques, new procedures and research in IR. So, I turned to my SIR membership. I attended my first annual meeting in Atlanta and found the entire experience to be exactly what I was looking for. I was able to learn new skills through workshops, keep up with research during scientific sessions, and find inspiration in plenary sessions. I was also able to reconnect with old friends and colleagues, and find more mentors along the way who have helped me through difficult cases and guided me to leadership roles. I was also able to reconnect with old friends and colleagues and find more mentors along the way who have helped me through difficult cases and guided me to leadership roles.
I also find SIR publications and networks, including IR Quarterly, The Kinked Wire Podcast, JVIR and SIR Connect, invaluable resources to keep me informed about what’s going on not only within our society but also in our specialty nationally. –Jaimin Shah, MD, MBA, Chair, SIR Membership Committee
The IR practicum
My IR fellowship lived up to my expectations as the most invigorating year of my postgraduate training, with challenging cases and wonderful mentorship. What I had not expected—though was invaluable to the start of my career—was the experience of attending the 4th annual SIR Fellows Spring Practicum back in 2009. The presentations included topics I had less exposure to in my training, as well as tips on procedures I was well-versed in. I was able to take in the lectures without the worry of clinical duties, interact with well-respected faculty and network with fellow graduating IRs.
In the years since, I have had the privilege and honor of contributing to the practicum as a lecturer and more recently as co-director. The entire SIR staff and faculty work diligently each year to update the agenda to reflect the changing educational needs and interest of graduating residents. We are very proud of how successful and well received the practicum continues to be, and we hope that you join us next spring as we continue this wonderful tradition. We are very proud of how successful and well- received the practicum continues to be, and we hope that you join us next spring as we continue this wonderful tradition. –Rakesh Navuluri, MD, FSIR
Approachable opportunities
I went to my first SIR Annual Scientific Meeting in 2012, when I wasn’t even an SIR member yet. I worried I wouldn’t know anyone, and yet I found that first meeting to be the most welcoming experience in my career thus far. SIR has been my family ever since! The Society has given me so many opportunities that have shaped the trajectory of my career, such as:
- opportunities to volunteer at the annual meeting and serve in both speaking and coordinating sessions;
- positions on task forces, committees and clinical specialty councils
- leadership summits;
- trips to Washington, DC to learn how to navigate the complex political infrastructure and advocate for our specialty and training programs; and
- opportunities to learn how to review articles for JVIR as a trainee before becoming an attending along with how to develop content with the JVIR media team.
The list goes on and on. It was through SIR that I developed the contacts and relationships that helped me match at my dream fellowship in Miami. I encourage all trainees to become a member of SIR. I know I will be for the rest of my career. –Kyle Cooper, MD, FSIR
Friendship and connection
I can narrow down my best reason for being a member of SIR all these years to one word: friendship!
The number of wonderful men and women members of SIR, and SIR staff, that I have had the privilege to meet and count as friends truly humbles me. They are some of the finest folks one could ever hope to come across. Our initial connection was formed from love and commitment to interventional radiology. And what a better way to display that commitment than to be connected to SIR through membership in the society, attendance at the annual meeting and volunteer work on committees. I count this as one of the most rewarding parts of my (now fairly long) career. –Thomas Scagnelli, MD, FSIR
In addition to all the experiences above, SIR membership will advance your medical education, obtain invaluable career training and set yourself apart from the field. Your benefits include:
- A catalog of IR educational resources, including on-demand activities, recorded webinars and discounted member rates to attend SIR meetings and conferences. Experience the benefits of various learning environments, and network with leading thinkers in the specialty.
- Access to member-only web content: View member-only content, featuring education and professional development exclusive to SIR members. Access to member-only web content: View member-only content, featuring education and professional development exclusive to SIR members.
- Public listing in SIR's Doctor Finder: SIR members who are practicing interventional radiologists are listed in our public web directory that enables patients to search for IRs by location and area of expertise. Members can update their profile to help patients identify the IR who matches their needs.
- Access to our online member networking platform, SIR Connect.
- Complimentary access to the annual Interventional Coding Update: Stay up-to-date with critical information to physicians, administrators and coders. The annual Interventional Coding Update and accompanying charge sheets are available only to SIR members. All members can access their complimentary copy within the Digital Content section of their member profile.
- Access to print and digital issues of the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (JVIR): Read monthly web and print copies of the peer-reviewed journal of choice for interventional radiologists.
- Subscription to IR Quarterly: SIR’s magazine focusing on critical IR updates augmented with stories, interviews and in-depth analysis
Share interests, challenges and successes with your peers. Network and collaborate with colleagues in IR and build your reputation by taking full advantage of your SIR membership.
Please be sure to share this information with your trainees and any IRs that you work with who are not yet members of SIR!
