asking for help?” These are all skills that can be improved through regular self- assessment and practicing empathy.


To some, adjusting life and business around a more empathetic and emotionally aware approach may seem difficult. But Dr. Newsome believes it’s not. “The pandemic has shown that the entire medical field can change our systems in a week if we want to,” Dr. Newsome says. “Nothing is impossible anymore.”


Additional reading In 2011, IR James G. Caridi, MD, FSIR, was diagnosed with myeloma. “I thought I was a good blue-collar doctor,” he said, “until I went on the other side of the glass and saw how much I was leaving behind.” Read more about the advice he now gives colleagues for building patient empathy at bit.ly/2mwNNV5.


Humans of IR Omosalewa Adenikinju, MD


“Humans of IR” is a project that explores the origins, personal stories and connections that led our physicians to pursue a career in interventional radiology. Watch for entries in the series on SIR’s Instagram and in each issue of IRQ.


some bedside and CT procedures that day. I recall him being incredibly happy and fulfilled because of the diversity and creativity of the procedures and the impact he was making on patient care as a vital member of the hospital system. I hadn’t heard of IR before that day, but one thing was clear—it had value. You don’t always remember the words people say, but how they make you feel leaves a mark. My purpose was ignited that day and the flame has burned with curiosity, ingenuity and excitement ever since.


How did you first discover IR? During my internal medicine rotation, my senior at the time encouraged us to understand the gamut of specialists that IM consults with. On one of our float days he introduced me to the chief of IR. He was an immigrant, like myself, and exuded such joy the moment I met him. He explained the services the field offered as we rounded on patients. I listened as he explained the steps during


Who was your biggest inspiration? It sounds cliché, but my mom is the first person that comes to mind. She has been a rock in my family. Anyone who knows her can count on her to be a total boss: sharp, elegant, brilliant, strong and faith-filled. Her belief in me has molded me at every pivotal stage in my life. Her faith alone has shed light and direction in tough seasons and has made victories so much sweeter. With a dynamic treatment landscape and immersion of new technologies,


I plan on embodying her greatest qualities and belief to impact the field one patient, one project and one intervention at a time.


By doing IR, what do you fight for? Psychology teaches us that people feel connected to those they look like, even before an interaction takes place. I fight for women, people of color and my fellow fun-size mates (I’m 5’0). But even more important is my fight for those who can’t or have forgotten how to fight, and for those who want to swing every step of the way. Although the impact we can make in this field spans from head to toe, we often meet patients on their hardest days physically, mentally and emotionally. As a trainee, I realize the weight of my duty. It is my call to be an advocate, educator and comforter while offering potentially lifesaving therapy so the patient and their family can have a second chance. By successfully converging information and empowering the patient, they in turn can now fight for strength and healing beyond the intervention.


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References


1. James TA. Emotional Intelligence for Physician Leaders. Lean Forward, Harvard Medical School. https://leanforward.hms.harvard. edu/2019/06/13/emotional-intelligence-for- physician-leaders/. Published August 10, 2020.


2. Goleman D. Emotional Intelligence. New York: Bantam Books; 1995.


3. Salovey, P., & Mayer, J. D. (1990). Emotional Intelligence. Imagination, Cognition and Personality, 9(3), 185–211. https://doi. org/10.2190/DUGG-P24E-52WK-6CDG


4. Riess H, Kelley JM, Bailey RW, Dunn EJ, Phillips M. Empathy training for resident physicians: a randomized controlled trial of a neuroscience-informed curriculum. J Gen Intern Med. 2012;27(10):1280-1286. doi:10.1007/ s11606-012-2063-z


5. FAQS in Interventional Radiology. Vol 6. Society of Interventional Radiology; 2019.


6. Kerr, R., Garvin, J., Heaton, N., & Boyle, E. (2006). Emotional intelligence and leadership effectiveness. Leadership and Organization Development Journal, 27(4), 265-279.


7. Kane L. Medscape National Physician Burnout & Suicide Report 2020: The Generational Divide. Medscape. https://www.medscape.com/ slideshow/2020-lifestyle-burnout-6012460#2.


8. Unal, Z. M. (2014). The contribution of emotional intelligence on the components of burnout: The case of healthcare sector professionals. Electronic Journal of Business Ethics and Organization Studies, 19(2), 27-34.


9. Lopes, P. N., Grewal, D., Kadis, J., Gall, M., & Salovey, P. (2006). Evidence that emotional intelligence is related to job performance and affect and attitudes at work. Psicothema, 18, 132-138.


10. Gray A. The 10 skills you need to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/ agenda/2016/01/the-10-skills-you-need-to- thrive-in-the-fourth-industrial-revolution. Published January 19, 2016.


11. Mullen C. Is emotional intelligence training a new workplace trend? The Business Journals. https://www.bizjournals.com/bizwomen/news/ latest-news/2018/12/is-emotional-intelligence- training-a-new-workplace.html?page=all. Published December 28, 2018.


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