ABMS Approves Dual Certificate in IR/DR

On Sept. 11, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) board of directors approved the American Board of Radiology (ABR) Dual Certificate in Interventional Radiology and Diagnostic Radiology—a seminal event in the history of interventional radiology.

SIR will continue to participate in and monitor the certificate’s progress through ACGME and report additional information in future SIR publications and e-communications, as it becomes available. The Society will develop future FAQs—so please send your questions to comm@SIRweb.org.

Here’s SIR’s press release: Society of Interventional Radiology Hails Affirmation of Specialty's Role in Patient Care: Interventional Radiology Now a Primary Specialty in Medicine; ABMS Recognizes Unique IR Skill Set With the New Dual Certificate in Interventional Radiology and Diagnostic Radiology

Read the Sept. 11 message from SIR President Marshall E. Hicks, MD, FSIR

Update on Medicare RAC E&M Audits

CMS has approved the Medicare Region C Recovery Auditor (RAC) Connolly to begin conducting audits of coding for E&M services in physician offices, specifically CPT code 99215. Please note that Connolly has posted the Approval Notice for these audits, which will now begin in Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The AMA has sent a letter to CMS Acting Administrator Marilyn Tavenner strongly objecting to these audits and urging CMS to rescind approval of RAC review of E&M codes. AMA is also working with CMS to arrange briefings for state medical societies and specialty societies in the next few weeks to answer questions and hear concerns. SIR will keep its members apprised as this situation develops.  

Image Gently Campaign Launches "Back to Basics" Initiative

To help ensure that imaging providers account for the sensitivity of children to radiation, SIR is an active participant and collaborator in the Alliance for Radiation Safety in Pediatric Imaging. As part of its Image Gently campaign, this alliance has announced its "Back to Basics" initiative to promote radiation protection in pediatric X-ray exams.

Click here to visit the Image Gently Web site today and pledge to do your part to “child-size” the radiation dose used in children’s imaging. Click here to read the Image Gently press release.

Your active participation is appreciated.

SIR members to Advise Joint Commission Panel on Radiation Safety

SIR members James Silberzweig, MD, FSIR, and Robert Dixon, MD, FSIR, are providing technical expertise to a newly formed Joint Commission Working Panel that is examining radiation risks, safety procedures and protocols for designing a safety program. The panel is examining all ionizing radiation, including fluoroscopy. Among several tasks, the panel is charged with defining the major risks in the provision of diagnostic ionizing radiation and magnetic resonance imaging services, as well as advising on steps that an organization providing imaging services should be doing to mitigate these risks. In mid October, the panel will host a day-long meeting at the Joint Commission offices to finalize its recommendations. 

SIR greatly appreciates Dr. Silberzweig and Dr. Dixon volunteering their time to represent the Society on this important panel.

Are You the Next JVIR CME Editor?

The Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (JVIR) is now accepting nominations for the position of CME Editor. To nominate yourself or a colleague to join the journal's editorial board in this
essential capacity, please forward the applicant's name and CV to jvir@SIRweb.org, along with a brief introduction. All applications will be reviewed by the JVIR Editor-in-chief Ziv J Haskal, MD, FSIR, with the appointee to start in January 2013. For more information about this position or to access the journal, please visit www.jvir.org.

Women in IR: What Inspires You?

Women have played an integral role in medicine—ever since Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman to graduate from medical school in 1849. For example, Arina Van Breda, MD, became the first female SIR president in 1992. SIR wants to hear from you: What inspires you … to practice IR … to be the best? Please let us know!

There have been many pioneering women physicians to thank and many accomplishments to celebrate during September’s Women in Medicine Month. Let’s recognize the growing number of women IRs!

Make a Difference in SIR's Future:
Submit Your Nominations Today

Deadline for nomination is Friday, Oct. 5.
The cycle for the 2012–13 SIR nominations and elections process has begun, and the Nominating Committee has been convened.

• Letter from Marshall Hicks, MD, FSIR, SIR Nominating Committee Chair
• 2013 Open Elected and Appointed Positions
• Qualifications for Elected Positions
• 2012–13 Nominations Application
• Consent to Serve

Bring International Colleagues to SIR 2013 With a Unique Scholarship Opportunity

Application deadline is Nov. 14.
Online application is now available for SIR's International Scholarship 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 SIR's Annual Scientific Meeting. Learn more about the Scholarship Guidelines and SIR's International Program. Please forward this program information to your international colleagues.

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