Scott C. Goodwin, M.D., FSIR, assumes Society of Interventional Radiology presidency

Hasso Brothers professor and chair of the department of radiological sciences at the University of California, Irvine, begins 2013–14 term during Annual Scientific Meeting in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS, April 17, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Scott C. Goodwin, M.D., FSIR, an interventional radiologist and Hasso Brothers professor and chair of the department of radiological sciences at the University of California, Irvine, assumed office as the 2013–14 president of the Society of Interventional Radiology during the SIR's 38th Annual Scientific Meeting in New Orleans. SIR is a national organization of nearly 5,000 doctors, scientists and allied health professionals dedicated to improving health care through minimally invasive treatments.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100127/SIRLOGO)

"Interventional radiologists offer patients the least invasive and most advanced treatment options—advances that generally replace open surgery and offer less risk, less pain and less recovery time compared to surgery. We are known for innovation, and it's something that is clearly a key component of the success of interventional radiology, present at the beginning of our field and still much in evidence as we celebrate SIR's 40th anniversary," said Goodwin, who is also vice president of University Physicians and Surgeons at the University of California. "Now we must also add validation and education to the mix as we inspire, cultivate and promote innovation to improve patient care through image-guided treatments," added the clinical volunteer  professor of radiological sciences at the UCLA Medical Center Los Angeles and physician with the Department of Veterans Affairs of Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.

Goodwin, a pioneer of uterine fibroid embolization, a minimally invasive treatment used to help tens of thousands of women avoid hysterectomies, noted that another important priority during his term will include supporting the ongoing development of the dual primary certificate in interventional radiology and diagnostic radiology. This primary certificate confirms the unique interventional radiology skill set, which consists of competency in diagnostic imaging, image-guided procedures and longitudinal patient care, he said.

"With the rules of health care changing almost daily and technology developments moving into virtually every area of medicine, this is indeed a challenging time for the medical profession and for our specialty, but it is also an exciting time and we have much to be optimistic about," said Goodwin.

For more information about the Society of Interventional Radiology and its 38th Annual Scientific Meeting, visit online at www.SIRweb.org or www.SIRmeeting.org.

About the Society of Interventional Radiology

Interventional radiologists are physicians who specialize in minimally invasive, targeted treatments. They offer the most in-depth knowledge of the least invasive treatments available coupled with diagnostic and clinical experience across all specialties. They use X-ray, MRI and other imaging to advance a catheter in the body, such as in an artery, to treat at the source of the disease internally. As the inventors of angioplasty and the catheter-delivered stent, which were first used in the legs to treat peripheral arterial disease, interventional radiologists pioneered minimally invasive modern medicine. Today, interventional oncology is a growing specialty area of interventional radiology. Interventional radiologists can deliver treatments for cancer directly to the tumor without significant side effects or damage to nearby normal tissue.

Many conditions that once required surgery can be treated less invasively by interventional radiologists. Interventional radiology treatments offer less risk, less pain and less recovery time compared to open surgery. This year, SIR celebrates 40 years of innovation and advances in interventional radiology. Visit www.SIRweb.org.

The Society of Interventional Radiology is holding its 38th Annual Scientific Meeting April 13–18 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. The theme of the meeting is "IR Reaching Out," chosen to reflect the many ways the Annual Scientific Meeting provides valuable education to attendees across a broad range of diverse clinical interests and practice settings.

SOURCE Society of Interventional Radiology