Surveying the Landscape
This year, IR Quarterly is bringing you Surveying the Landscape, a multi-media exploration of the depth and scope of IR practice models, challenges and opportunities. As part of this project, we’re inviting you to share your workforce stories for a chance to be featured!
Michael J. Sassman, DO Colorado University Medicine Interventional Radiology at Ridgeline, Colorado
How would you define your practice model? Michael J. Sassman, DO: We’re a hybrid community and academic practice.
Are you in a rural area, or more urban area? MS: Urban
How many IRs, NP/PAs, technologists and support staff do you have? MS: 4 IRs (rotating), 0 APP’s, 4 techs, 1 RVT, 3 RN’s, 2 Office staff
What services and therapies make up the bulk of your practice? MS: Embolization (prostate, uterine, genicular, etc.), venous disease, cancer care and spinal augmentation.
What support do you have when you find yourself in a challenging case? MS: 11 other IR colleagues at academic institution.
How do you fit into the care of your community as a whole? MS: We are enhancing access to specialized care, increasing patient convenience and reducing hospital burdens, reducing health care costs and hospitalization and bridging the gaps across multiple specialties.
What made you choose your practice model? MS: I enjoy the intellectual challenge of academics and the autonomy, case variety and volume of a community practice.
If you could add one thing to your practice, what would it be? MS: Advanced practice providers.
What is one thing you wish you could change from your current practice? MS: It would be nice to change from an office-based laboratory model (OBL) to a hybrid OBL/ambulatory surgical center model.
What is your favorite aspect of your practice? MS: The patients and people we work with.
What advice do you have for a trainee considering practicing in your type of practice setting? MS: Maintain a broad skill set, embrace clinical IR, build relationships with referrers, learn the business side of IR, choose the right group and stay connected to academic IR.
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