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NASHVILLE (March 30, 2025)—The Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) Foundation today presented the Leaders in Innovation Award to four leaders—Matthew A. Mauro, MD, FSIR; M. Victoria Marx, MD, FSIR; John A. Kaufman, MD, FSIR; and Jeanne M. LaBerge, MD, FSIR—who together helped establish the Interventional Radiology Residency and secure approval of IR as a primary specialty from the American Board of Medical Specialties. The award was presented during SIR’s Annual Scientific Meeting in Nashville.

“This incredible team played a pivotal role in crafting the IR residency curriculum and navigated significant challenges to earn IR’s designation as a primary medical specialty,” said SIR Foundation Chair Maureen P. Kohi, MD, FSIR. “This achievement has transformed IR into a very desirable and essential specialty, cementing its status as one of the most competitive specialties for medical students.”

Support for research honored

During the SIR Foundation award ceremony on March 31, SIR Foundation will recognize Michael D. Darcy, MD, FSIR, with the Frederick S. Keller, MD, Philanthropy Award, which honors an individual who demonstrates outstanding commitment to SIR Foundation through their exceptional generosity and work to inspire others to give.

“Dr. Darcy’s philanthropic efforts go above and beyond just the financial support of the foundation and the society,” Kohi said. “His career-long focus on trainee education and dedication to clinical research has helped IRs achieve better outcomes for patients.”

Future researchers also spotlighted

The Dr. Gary J. Becker Young Investigator Award recognizes promising young practitioners to support the pursuit of academic careers. This year’s recipient is Alexander Vezeridis, MD, PhD, an interventional radiologist and assistant professor of radiology at Stanford University School of Medicine. He is being recognized for his clinical science manuscript, “Label-free monitoring of embolotherapy via catheter electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.” Vezeridis will receive his award during a ceremony on March 31.