A voice for women in IR

By Meridith J. Englander, MD
Member, Women in IR Governing Council 

As long as interventional radiology has been a specialty, there have been women interventional radiologists. Three of the founding fellows of the Society of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology (SCVIR) were women. Helen C. Redman, MD; Ethel J. Finck, MD; and Renate L. Soulen, MD, FSIR, were among the first class of SCVIR Fellows. Of the 40 Society of Interventional Radiology presidents, four have been women. Arina Van Breda, MD, FSIR, was the first in 1992–93, followed by Anne C. Roberts, MD, FSIR (1996–97); Janette (Jan) D. Durham, MD, MBA, FSIR (2004–05); and Katharine (Kathy) L. Krol, MD, FSIR (2006–07). Despite their presence and prominence, women are a distinct minority in the IR world. Only 9 percent of interventional radiologists are women.

In 2007, a luncheon was held at the Annual Scientific Meeting for women SIR members. This session attracted a sizable crowd, eager to network with other women in IR. A survey conducted of attendees identified that women in IR often feel isolated from their male colleagues and also that they are treated differently by nurses, technical staff and referring physicians. Given these findings and the positive feedback given by women in attendance, another session was scheduled the following year. By 2009, a small group had organized. A presentation at that year’s Annual Scientific Meeting proposed establishing an Association of Women in Interventional Radiology.

Participants of the “Women in IR: A rare opportunity?” presentation at SIR 2015 in Atlanta included Susan E. Sedory Holzer, M.A., CAE; Anna-Maria Belli, MD; Meridith Englander, MD; Laura Findeiss, MD, FSIR; M. Victoria Marx, MD, FSIR; Deepashree Thiruchunapalli, MD; and Alessandra Cassano-Bailey, MD, FRCPC.

It has taken several years since that meeting, but a Women in IR section of SIR finally has been formed. With Articles of Governance accepted by the Executive Council in June, our mission is to advance and promote women in interventional radiology by increasing the number of women in IR; encouraging women to enter leadership positions in SIR; educating women in research and clinical methods; offering career development assistance; and providing a networking forum.

Members of the Women in IR Workgroup attended a meeting at SIR 2015 in Atlanta.

Several committees of dedicated volunteers are working on several short-term projects. A list is being assembled with the names of women who are interested in speaking or presenting in their area of clinical or research specialty. Plans are being made for programming at SIR 2016. There is an area for Women in IR on SIRconnect, the society’s private social network and platform to connect you with your colleagues—and it is open to all. 

Margaret Thompson, PhD, was the speaker at the Women in IR luncheon at SIR 2015 in Atlanta.

The number of female physicians in the United States has increased 400 percent since 1981, and women are now 46 percent of residents and fellows. However, the percentage of women in IR—both practicing and in-training—has remained a flat 10 percent. If the specialty wants to continue to attract great candidates, it is going to have to recruit more women. Forming the Women in IR section is one step to show more women that they have a home in IR and that they are welcome and valued. It is a hope that one day the section will not be needed. Until that time, the Women in IR section and its members will offer support and encouragement to prospective, young career and seasoned women interventional radiologists. 

 As we try to increase the number of women in interventional radiology, what can each member do to encourage a young woman to consider a career in the specialty?

To learn more about Women in IR section, please email Caitlin Couture, SIR’s senior manager, volunteer engagement and development.