International

Interventional Radiology Is a Growing Global Community

SIR Collaborates With International Societies

We may all speak different languages—but we are one global community that wants to provide patients with state-of-the-art minimally invasive interventional radiology treatment choices.

As as we look toward our common future as interventional radiologists, it is increasingly clear that there is much to be gained from sharing. And it is our hope that this portal will assist in these efforts. Here you will discover resources to make interaction between our societies easier and more productive, and answers to questions about where to find things on the SIR website. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions or need more information.


Brian Stainken, MD, FSIR
Chair, SIR International Task Force

International Liaison Societies

International Scholarship Program

SIR last year introduced a new international scholarship grant program. This program is intended to enable physicians within 10 years of completion of training who are practicing outside North America an opportunity to attend the SIR meeting. By offering physicians from other nations this chance to train and learn at the Annual Scientific Meeting,the hope is that they can return to teach and enhance patient care. The SIR International Scholarship Program is intended to foster professional networking through meeting participation, focused programming, and optional visiting observerships before or after the Annual Scientific Meeting. It will build key relationships with future international IR leaders, educate the U.S. membership, strengthen the developing international IR movement, build the leadership base among partnered international societies, and enhance the educational experience for international and U.S. physicians. (Aug. 27, 2012)

SIR Announces the 2013 International Scholarship Program

SIR International Scholarship Guidelines

If you are interested in donating to the International Scholarship fund, please contact international@SIRweb.org

View the 2012 International Scholars

International Leadership Update Debuts

On Sept. 10, SIR distributed a new newsletter to the top leaders of interventional radiology societies around the world. The International Leadership Update underscores the common goals of IRs worldwide and the opportunity to share communications and ideas.

International Leadership Update

January 2013
August 2012

For more information, please send an e-mail to international@SIRweb.org. (Sept. 11, 2012)

Annual Scientific Meeting Information for International Attendees

General visa and travel information is provided for international attendees of SIR's 38th Annual Scientific Meeting. SIR 2013 is being held April 13-18 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Effort to Reverse Exclusion of UAE in Brazil a Success: SIR Submits Letter to Sociedade Brasileira de Radiologia Intervencionista e Cirurgia Endovascular (SoBRICE)

The Brazilian National Agency of Health has reversed its exclusion of uterine artery embolization to treat fibroids. This is an important victory in the effort to ensure that patients in Brazil have access to uterine artery embolization as a quality treatment of choice. The successful reversal was the result of hard work by the Brazilian Society of Interventional Radiology (SoBRICE) and the Brazilian Society of Gynecology.

The effort was supported by a formal letter from SIR providing data and expressing surprise that a procedure that is an accepted standard of care by interventional radiologists and gynecologists in the United States and other countries was designated as experimental in Brazil. "Your help was fundamental for this result," said Alexander Corvello, M.D., president of SoBRICE. "I am absolutely sure that this reversal will be an example for others to recognize fibroid embolization as an effective treatment," he added.

Here is the SIR letter in support of uterine artery embolization as a treatment choice.

(Jan. 12, 2012)

International Affiliate Program

Join the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology's international community. (Spanish Version)

This program will provide online-only access to www.JVIR.org. This includes archived and current issues of the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology and JVIR supplements. The yearly rate for this program is $130 USD. Those wishing to receive a print version of JVIR and SIR membership benefits should consider becoming a SIR Corresponding Member, which is $280 USD.

Who Can Apply for the International Affiliate Program?

Only SIR nonmembers who reside/practice outside of the United States, Canada and Mexico are eligible to apply for this program. Current SIR members are not eligible for this program. The $130 rate for this program may not be prorated.

Learn more about SIR's International Affiliate Program. Apply today.

SIR Corresponding Membership

Click here to JOIN

We invite you to join the growing global community of members who are building the specialty of IR around the world. This category of membership is for those who live or practice outside of the United States.

Benefits of International Corresponding Membership:

  • Member Registration Discount for the SIR Annual Scientific Meeting - Immerse yourself in five days of hands-on training, plenary and scientific sessions, categorical courses, symposia, workshops, and enjoyable social events.  Experience a diverse faculty of experts from around the world.
  • JVIR - Access to 12 issues of the leading scientific, peer-reviewed journal in interventional radiology in print and on-line, the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology.  Read the latest research, case studies and specialty advancements.  Abstracts and full text searchable archives are online at www.jvir.org.
  • Dr. Finder - Help patients find you in your country.  Personalize your Dr. Finder listing, including what languages you speak.
  • Advocacy on issues that impact IR globally and locally.
  • Members-only Website - Access practice building materials and reach your colleagues through the membership directory.
  • Discounts on SIR products - Patient Information Brochures, training and education materials, referral products, plus much more in the IR Store.
  • Education - Stay on top of the hottest topics in your specialty through the SIR Learning Center, which offers access to a wealth of on-line learning.
  • Bi-monthly issues of IR News - Short, up to date columns on practice development, technology, research, emerging opportunities, and much more.
  • STAT and E-News - Receive e-mailed alerts on Society news, educational meetings, and new programs and services.
  • Practice Development - Utilize SIR resources to expand and strengthen your practice, educate patients, and reach referring physicians.
  • Networking - Participate in observerships, career development and networking opportunities in one of the fastest growing medical fields.
  • SIR International Discussion Forum - Join other international colleagues in SIR's password-protected, members-only meeting place for open discussion on topics of interest.

Applications are complete once the application and all supporting documentation has been received by the SIR Membership Applications Committee. If you are a member of an official SIR Liaison Society, you will not need to submit letters of recommendation with your membership application. We will only need to verify your membership in that organization. If you need a list of SIR members in your country to identify someone you know to recommend you, please contact the SIR Membership Department at: membership@sirweb.org.

We invite you to click here to APPLY FOR CORRESPONDING MEMBERSHIP

Society of Interventional Radiology Supports Research for New M.S. Treatments

Recognizing that venous interventions may potentially play an important role in treating some patients who suffer from multiple sclerosis - an incurable, disabling disease - the Society of Interventional Radiology has issued a position statement indicating its support for high-quality clinical research to determine the safety and effectiveness of interventional M.S. treatments. SIR's position statement is endorsed by the Canadian Interventional Radiology Association and will be published in the September Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology.

SIR press release: Society of Interventional Radiology Supports Research for New M.S. Treatments: Position Statement in September Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology Outlines Society's Stance as It Actively Promotes and Expedites Needed Research, Recognizes Potential Value of Interventional Treatment Options for Vulnerable Patients (Aug. 26, 2010)

JVIR Special Communications: "Interventional Endovascular Management of Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Position Statement by the Society of Interventional Radiology, Endorsed by the Canadian Interventional Radiology Association"

JVIR Communications speciales (French): "Radiologie interventionnelle et prise en charge endovasculaire de l'insuffisance veineuse cephalorachidienne chronique chez les patients atteints de sclerose en plaques: position de la Society of Interventional Radiology soutenue par l'Association canadienne de radiologie d'intervention"

Society of Interventional Radiology Advances Global Definition of Specialty, Benefits Patients

The Society of Interventional Radiology, with the support of 41 international societies representing 10,000 interventional radiology doctors, has issued the first global statement defining interventional radiology-one designed to benefit medical treatment for individuals. The statement addresses the evolution, impact and future direction of this minimally invasive specialty, emphasizing the worldwide availability of this specialized medical care. The statement, the result of more than two years of collaborative work, is being co-published in August as a "Special Communications" in SIR's Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology and in the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe's journal.

Society of Interventional Radiology Advances Global Definition of Specialty, Benefits Patients: A First: 41 Interventional Radiology Societies Join SIR in Supporting Statement That Stresses Interventional Radiology's Importance in Medical Care for Patients, Outlines Identity and Scope of IR Practices Worldwide, July 7, 2010

Special Communications: Global Statement Defining Interventional Radiology, Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (August 2010)

"We Are IR," Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, August 2010

Spanish Translation of Global Statement

Special Communications: the Global Statement Defining Interventional Radiology, Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, in print August 2010 has been translated in to Spanish by the Revista Argentina de Radiologia, the official scientific organ of the Sociedad Argentina de Radiologia and of the Federacion Argentina de Asociaciones de Radiologia.(May 26, 2011)

Related JVIR Articles
Denied in Canada: Why We Need a Global Strategic Plan for Interventional Radiology, Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, January 2008

Interventional Radiology Deserves Formal Recognition as a Distinct Medical Subspecialty: A Statement From the Canadian Interventional Radiology Association, Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, January 2008

SIR Members International Discussion Forum

Participate in SIR Members International Discussion Forum.

Annual Scientific Meetings

Purchase entire conference, selected plenaries or symposia of past SIR Annual Scientific Meetings by visiting Prolibraries.

2011 SIR Annual Scientific Meeting Chicago, IL, March 26-31, 2011

2010 SIR Annual Scientific Meeting Tampa, Fla., March 13-18, 2010

2009 SIR Annual Scientific Meeting San Diego, Calif., March 7-12, 2009

2008 SIR Annual Scientific Meeting Washington, D.C., March 15-20, 2008

2007 SIR Annual Scientific Meeting Seattle, Wash., March 1-6, 2007

2006 SIR Annual Scientific Meeting Toronto, Ontario, Canada, March 30-April 4, 2006

2005 SIR Annual Scientific Meeting New Orleans, La., March 31-April 5, 2005

2004 SIR Annual Scientific Meeting Phoenix, Ariz., March 25-30, 2004

2003 SIR Annual Scientific Meeting Salt Lake City, Utah, March 27-April 1, 2003

Press Releases

Below is a sampling of SIR press releases. All SIR press releases are posted in the Media section.

2010

Society of Interventional Radiology Advances Global Definition of Specialty, Benefits Patients: A First: 41 Interventional Radiology Societies Join SIR in Supporting Statement That Stresses Interventional Radiology's Importance in Medical Care for Patients, Outlines Identity and Scope of IR Practices Worldwide, July 7, 2010; Global Statement Defining Interventional Radiology, "Special Communications," and "We Are IR," Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology

Vertebroplasty for Patients With Osteoporosis Provides Effective Pain Relief: For Best Results, Patient Selection, Correct Indications, Optimal Medical Treatment Needed, According to a Study of Nearly 1,500 Patients Over Seven Years, SIR Annual Scientific Meeting, March 15, 2010; Slides

Rock-a-bye Baby: Uterine Fibroid Embolization Shows Fertility Rates Comparable to Myomectomy: First Global Study Indicates Comparable Fertility Rates for Minimally Invasive UFE and "Gold Standard" Surgical Myomectomy for Women Who Want to Have Children After Uterine Fibroid Treatment, SIR Annual Scientific Meeting, March 15, 2010; Slides

New Editor Named for Prestigious Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology: Society of Interventional Radiology Member Ziv J Haskal, M.D., FSIR, Begins Transition Process, Will Replace Albert A. Nemcek Jr., M.D., FSIR, in January 2011, Jan. 27, 2010

Society of Interventional Radiology Supports Treatment for Painful Spine Fractures: Patient Selection Key Society Supports Additional Scientific Studies, Fights Negative Backlash From Two Controversial Studies That Compared Vertebroplasty to Placebo That Possibly Places Patients With Osteoporosis in Jeopardy of Losing Beneficial Treatment, Jan. 19, 2010

2009

Lifestyle Changes Remain Important in Fighting Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD): Not Enough Evidence Yet to Support Minimally Invasive Treatment in Those With Blocked Leg Artery and Showing No Symptoms, Say Researchers in Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Oct. 21, 2009

Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology Increases Impact, International Reach Society of Interventional Radiology Flagship Publication Ranks in Top Half of 90 Imaging Publications; Society Offers Journal-only Access to Professionals Outside North America, July 14, 2009

Avoiding Hysterectomy: Major Interventional Radiology E-collection Info Available Society of Interventional Radiology Flagship Publication Ranks in Top Half of 90 Imaging Publications; Society Offers Journal-only Access to Professionals Outside North America, July 14, 2009

Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology: New Patient Radiation Safety Guidelines Journal Supplement Provides New and Previously Published Clinical Practice Resources for Daily Reference, Practice of Interventional Radiology, July 7, 2009

Less Invasive Interventional Treatment Can Be Recommended as First-Line Treatment for "Silent Killer," Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm - Durability, Effectiveness of Minimally Invasive Endovascular Repair Studied Over Eight Years With Nearly 500 Patients; Low Re-intervention Rates Comparable to Open Surgery, March 10, 2009; Slides; Audio

Promising Three-year Data: Saving Limbs With Drug-Eluting Stents - Interventional Radiologists Help Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Patients With Critical Limb Ischemia Avoid Amputation, March 10, 2009; Slides; Audio

Oh, My Aching Back: Give Me a Shot of Ozone - Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology Treatment Relieves Pain From Herniated Disks; Pain and Function Outcomes Similar to Surgery Results but With Fewer Complications, Shorter Recovery Time, March 9, 2009; Slides; Audio

Metastatic Bone Disease Patients Can Walk in Lazarus' Footsteps - "Miraculous" Effects, Pain Relief of Osteoplasty-an Interventional Radiology Treatment-Detailed for Those Suffering From Cancer Spread, March 9, 2009; Slides; Audio