RSNA News - November 2004
RSNA Fellowship Gives Interventional Radiologist a Chance to Build Foundation
There has been a lot of good press about fibroid embolization procedures, but the gynecologists aren't as accepting. … It is one of my goals to make this a more accepted procedure and build referrals.
— Richard Shlansky-Goldberg, M.D.
When Richard Shlansky-Goldberg, M.D., considered a career in radiology,
he was drawn to interventional radiology. Why? "I enjoy working
with my hands and playing with gadgets," he answers.
Dr. Shlansky-Goldberg is an associate professor of radiology at the
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He is certified in radiology
and interventional radiology. His areas of interest include uterine
artery embolization, uterine fibroid embolization, thrombolysis and
pharmacology in interventional radiology.
He was a 1990 RSNA Research & Education Foundation Research Fellow
for his work on "Temporary Vascular Stenting."
Early in his career, Dr. Shlansky-Goldberg was interested in stent
technology and what causes restenosis. In fact, on his fellowship
application, he wrote, "My career goals are to become an academic
radiologist at a major university teaching center dividing my time
between my clinical practice and research interests in cardiovascular
and interventional radiology."
But when he saw cardiologists performing angioplasties and inserting stents, he switched his focus. "I like a lot of patient contact, the camaraderie with other physicians and involvement in clinical trials," he says. "Working with such
a large group in an academic center, I can always talk to a colleague
if I need more information on an unfamiliar medical topic."
Dr. Shlansky-Goldberg graduated cum laude in biology and psychology
at the University of Rochester in New York, where he also received
his medical degree. He interned in surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital
in New York City and completed his radiology residency at Thomas Jefferson
University Hospital in Philadelphia. He was a fellow in cardiovascular
and interventional radiology and an instructor in the Department of
Radiology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania before
his RSNA fellowship.
Why did he intern in surgery? "From the start, I planned to
go into interventional radiology," Dr. Shlansky-Goldberg explains.
"I got the surgery internship because I have always enjoyed performing
procedures. Plus it gave me additional training in interventional
radiology."
Dr. Shlansky-Goldberg says he likes the creativity of interventional radiology. He also likes being able to collect data,
test his hypothesis and then actually perform the procedure, "I
can see how the procedure changes the outcome."
RSNA Fellowship
One reason Dr. Shlansky-Goldberg is grateful for his RSNA fellowship
is that it gave him the opportunity to build on his education. "It
gave me an additional year to study basic clinical and lab research,"
he says. "I was able to do things like take a physics course—which
I probably could not have done without the fellowship."
RSNA continues to play a role in his career. He attends the annual
meeting and attends refresher courses. "It helps keep me aware
of what is going on in radiology," he says.
Dr. Shlansky-Goldberg is a fellow of the Society of Interventional
Radiology (SIR) and is the 1996 SIR recipient of the Dr. Gary J. Becker
Young Investigator Award.
In May 2004, Dr. Shlansky-Goldberg was named to Philadelphia Magazine's
Top Docs issue. He's also been recognized in Castle Connolly's America's
Top Doctors in 2003 and 2004.
Vision for the Future
His advice to medical students, residents, interns and fellows is
to take time early in their careers to build a foundation. "Take
the year off to reflect, hone your education and your research skills,"
he says.
Dr. Shlansky-Goldberg plans to continue what he's doing in interventional
radiology, but hopes to build acceptance of uterine artery embolization
and uterine fibroid embolization within the gynecology community.
"There has been a lot of good press about fibroid embolization
procedures, but the gynecologists aren't as accepting. They're skeptical
and concerned about the loss of turf. It is one of my goals to make
this a more accepted procedure and build referrals," he says.
He also says he hopes to discover new techniques to make thrombolysis
more widely available.
