Speaker spotlight: Feb. 21

Inspirations, favorite quotes and more about speakers at SIR 2023—from well-known luminaries to first-time presenters! In this article: Julie Catherine Bulman, MD; Drew M. Caplin, MD, FSIR; Katharine L. Krol, MD, FSIR; Natosha N. Monfore, DO; Robert A. Morgan, MD, FSIR; Mervé Ozen, MD; Harjit Singh, MD, FSIR; and Scott O. Trerotola, MD, FSIR. Click the names below to find each one in the SIR 2023 program.

Julie Catherine Bulman, MD

Why did you choose IR?

Every day is different in IR: disease processes are highly varied and you never know what will come in the door. This is something that drew me to the field, knowing the variety will keep things fresh for an entire career. I enjoyed the direct patient care, especially clinic, where we have the opportunity to connect with patients and develop long-term relationships over the course of their healthcare.

How do you explain your work to non-IRs?

This is always a challenge! We have some work to do as a specialty on public awareness. What I usually say is “what surgery does from the outside-in, we do from the inside-out”, working through blood vessels, bile ducts, lymphatic channels, and even directly through needles or probes to treat different diseases.

Drew M. Caplin, MD, FSIR

Why did you choose IR? 

I do not think that I chose IR; rather, IR chose me. I originally started out as a general surgery resident and during my 2nd year had an existential crisis and decided to change specialties. Ultimately, I chose diagnostic radiology because of the influence of Ed Wind (a DR) and David Siegel (the division chief of IR at Long Island Jewish  Medical Center [LIJ] at the time when I was a surgical resident). Dr. Wind recognized that DR would be a good fit because my love for art history as the approach to looking at a painting is similar to a radiograph. Dr. Siegel told me that IR was "like surgery but with cooler tools and less attitude" and that each case challenges one's creative problem-solving skills. Fortunately, I matched into DR at LIJ. Initially, I approached residency with an open mind, but Dr. Siegel "knew" that I would be his fellow one day. After fellowship, I was hired as an attending and still work at Northwell Health and see Drs. Wind, Siegel, Lobko (another formative Mentor) and Putterman (my brother-in-law and also an IR in our group) every day.

How do you explain your work to non-IRs? 

I am a minimally invasive image-guided surgeon. I am a creative problem-solver who works will all members of the healthcare team in the performance of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures through a needle hole that have an outsized impact on people's lives.

What would you say drives your work or inspires you?

Even though I am 17 years out from fellowship, I've never stopped learning new techniques for old procedures, new procedures, new devices and new evidence. As an IR residency program director, I am inspired by my trainees and their enthusiasm.

What is your favorite or most meaningful memory/experience as an IR? 

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a PD is when you witness a trainee's "a-ha!" moment. It is a beautiful, transformative and fleeting moment—like seeing a butterfly emerge from its chrysalis—that is very special.

What is your favorite quote (if you have one)? 

Most of the quotes that come to mind are NSFW (Daniel Ricciardo's catchphrase), are from rap lyrics that are also NSFW, sayings from living the IR life ("The IR schedule is like Fight Club—first rule is that you don't talk about the schedule." "You can't cure crazy with a catheter." and "All bleeding stops ... eventually."). The one that has really stuck with me comes from a college ski racing coach who always said, "Don't let it happen—make it happen." Even though I first heard it as I was clicking my poles together at the top of an icy slalom course, it frames how I've approached life. As I've gotten older, I've tried to channel my inner Bruce Lee to try to "Be like water" as a counterbalance to the former quote, recognizing that many times that is the more prudent approach.

Katharine L. Krol, MD, FSIR

Why did you choose IR? 

I loved the direct patient contact and interaction that IR requires.  The technology of IR ("special procedures" then) was rapidly evolving, with something new seemingly every day, and the opportunity to help patients with minimally invasive procedures was what really pulled me in. 

How do you explain your work to non-IRs?

We changed medicine. We took huge surgeries and made them out-patient procedures by using imaging guidance to accomplish what surgeons did with large incisions and actually touching the organ. We use skills that are used for video games in many ways—treating a body part we are not touching or seeing live, but are monitoring somewhat remotely on a screen, controlling the action remotely with a device that responds to our manipulation to accomplish our desired intervention.

What would you say drives your work or inspires you?

The ability to help people on a daily basis. Usually that is by treating a disease that requires a procedure, but we also help people by talking to them, educating them, referring them when needed, and caring about them. I developed long-term relationships with many patients and their families.

What is your favorite or most meaningful memory/experience as an IR? 

Getting a last-second consult for a patient who has been told there is no option, and saving the patient with a procedure that the referring doctor/patient/family did not know was possible. IR became known in my hospital as the place to solve problems. Even as a new doctor, one of the few women physicians in the hospital, and the only IR, I got the reputation for being the one to consult when there were no other answers.

Natosha N. Monfore, DO

Why did you choose IR?

I chose IR to become a master of the entire human body and not just one organ system. 

How do you explain your work to non-IRs?

I do minimally invasive surgery with x-rays. It's like magic but better.

What would you say drives your work or inspires you?

My patients and their resilience are what inspires me to work hard and do better every day. 

What is your favorite or most meaningful memory/experience as an IR? 

I had a patient who came in with left hemiparesis and I performed intra-arterial stroke therapy emergently in the middle of the night. It was my second night of being up all night long and I was exhausted. Postprocedurally, I didn't think she was going to do well. Two days later she was discharged to a rehab facility and subsequently home. A few months later I received a very nice card thanking me for saving her and giving her her life back. I still have that card on my desk to remind me that good outcomes happen even in the worst of situations and that my hard work can truly make a difference in someone's life. 

What is your favorite quote (if you have one)? 

"Just keep swimming..." —Dori in Finding Nemo

Robert A. Morgan, MD, FSIR

Why did you choose IR?

To do challenging procedures to help patients with innovative tools.

How do you explain your work to non-IRs?

I do keyhole surgery on arteries and veins, like a plumber of blood vessels

What would you say drives your work or inspires you?

The fact that IR makes a real difference to patient’s lives.

What is your favorite or most meaningful memory/experience as an IR?

Seeing a 75-year-old male patient whose life I had saved by embolizing a severe GI bleed walking along the hospital corridor some months later with the referring surgeon. When the surgeon saw me, he pointed me out to the patient, who came across to me and gave me a big hug.   

What is your favorite quote (if you have one)? 

“If we finish early, we can go to Landry’s for Happy Hour.”

Mervé Ozen, MD

Why did you choose IR? 

Endovascular therapy gives the opportunity to treat patients with minimally invasive procedures by using cutting-edge equipment. Seeing their pain relief, improved quality of life and short recovery times is rewarding to me. 

How do you explain your work to non-IRs? 

I have been fortunate to work with many excellent colleagues from other specialties during my academic career with whom I collaborated for clinical or research reasons. I am always looking for ways to improve my patient care and approach. Working in a multidisciplinary environment allows me to perfect my clinical skills and elevates patient care.  

What would you say drives your work or inspires you? 

I am inspired by the opportunities that IR brings, such as life-long learning, helping people to have a better quality of life and seeking answers to difficult questions.   

What aspect of the meeting are you most looking forward to? 

Besides listening to all the great scientific ideas, the most important opportunity will be having the chance to meet great interventional radiologists. I believe connecting with people with different levels of experience and points of view is a wonderful opportunity. 

What is your favorite or most meaningful memory/experience as an IR? 

All my favorite memories are related to teamwork and seeing the relief on my patient's faces. For instance, hearing " I haven't felt this good in years." from patients has been one of my most meaningful memories. 

What is your favorite quote (if you have one)? 

Excellence is hidden in details. 

Harjit Singh, MD, FSIR

Why did you choose IR?

I chose IR because it looked like the best combination of surgery and imaging. I found it fascinating as a medical student that we could “drive” around the body and effect change through tiny incisions. That fascination for the potential of the field has been far exceeded by reality.

How do you explain your work to non-IRs?

Explaining what we do is quite difficult.  I have heard many times over the years that “we send our patients down to the black box that is IR and they come back repaired.”  I use phrases such as “anywhere you can put a needle” and “driving through the body from a tiny incision.” Ultimately, I tell them to come visit so they can see for themselves.

What would you say drives your work or inspires you?

The two things that inspire me most is first, having one patient say to me “I trust you and your skills to help me” and how grateful and happy they are when I am able to deliver. Second, to listen to my colleagues, particularly the younger ones, pushing the limit of what IR can do and treating disease percutaneously that I would have never imagined.

What is your favorite or most meaningful memory/experience as an IR?

Again it is two-fold.  The first memory was when I had a patient tell me that what I did changed the arc of their life.  For me, it was a small procedure but for them, it was everything.  The second was when I had a fellow who was struggling with his knowledge and skills and being there for that “aha” moment.

What is your favorite quote (if you have one)?

How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours.—Wayne Dyer

The most dangerous phrase in the language is, "We've always done it this way."—Grace Hopper

Don’t take criticism from people you wouldn’t go to for advice. —Unknown

Scott O. Trerotola, MD, FSIR

Why did you choose IR?

I was planning to be a surgeon and doing research in surgery as a medical student. Toward the end of my second year of medical school I took the radiology course as a break. I loved radiology but wanted to work with my hands and have direct patient care. The course director Roz Troupin introduced me to then IR chief Gordon McLean. With his help I created the medical student IR rotation at Penn and became the first student ever to take it. I fell in love with IR immediately and the rest is history.

How do you explain your work to non-IRs?

We use imaging guidance (fluoro, VCT, US) to diagnose and treat a wide variety of disorders. Much of what we do replaced older surgical alternatives; most everything we do requires only a needle puncture and no incision. It’s high tech and a comparatively young specialty. In general, what we do is faster, safer, often cheaper and has shorter recovery time than surgical alternatives.

What would you say drives your work or inspires you?

Teaching continues to be my passion, however the perpetual novelty of IR is a close second. Not a week goes by that I don’t do or see something I have never done or seen before. It makes it easy to get up and come to work every day.

What is your favorite or most meaningful memory/experience as an IR?

I did a TIPS for Budd-Chiari on a young woman, sparing her high mortality and almost certain liver transplant. She responded extremely well and a few years later was able to have a child, who is now nearly an adult. She’s never needed any work on the TIPS and is living a normal life.

What is your favorite quote (if you have one)?

Set yourself up for success.