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Clinical Radiology
48 Inside News
Interventional Radiology
Society of Australasia
IRSA Queenstown 2016
The Interventional Radiology Society
of Australasia (IRSA) recently held its
Annual Scientific Meeting and AGM
in Queenstown, New Zealand, which
was preceded by the second EBIR
examination held in the southern
hemisphere. A highly successful meeting
was convened by Prof Tim Buckenham
and Dr Gabes Lau. An impressive array
of international and local speakers
delivered presentations on some of
the most important and pressing issues
in interventional radiology today. The
meeting was strongly supported by
members and the trade, resulting in
176 attendees—an all-time record for
the winter meeting. The meeting also
received extremely positive feedback
from attendees, vendors and College
members including College President Dr
Greg Slater and CEO Natalia Vukolova.
EBIR Examination
The European Board of Interventional
Radiology (EBIR) examination was
a great success, with 16 registered
candidates sitting for the examination,
and demand to sit the examination
growing. Pamela Taylor, Head of
Specialty Training at the College,
accompanied the President and CEO
to the examination as guest observers.
All were extremely impressed by the
conduct, organisation and invigilation
of the EBIR examination and plan to
use some of what they have learned
to improve the College examination
process.
Tripartite partner, the Cardiovascular
and Interventional Radiological Society
of Europe (CIRSE), was also very pleased
with our administration of the EBIR,
and IRSA now has 10 EBIR examiners
actively contributing exam questions
and participating in the conduct of the
EBIR here and in Europe. Chief Examiner
of the EBIR Australia/New Zealand,
Dr Gerard Goh, is to be commended
for a highly professional and smooth-
running operation. Most importantly,
the examination process received high
praise from the candidates themselves.
Candidates of all levels of experience
stated that they found the journey in
preparing for the examination enriched
and refreshed their knowledge of
interventional radiology (IR) to their
benefit. IRSA feels that the EBIR is
of critical importance to all who wish
to pursue a career in IR. It is the key
credential for IR and an essential point
of difference for all those who wish to
be identified as career interventional
radiologists.
IRSA Gold Medal
IRSA is proud to announce the 2016
gold medallist, Dr Kevin Bell. Kevin
has been an outstanding contributor
to the field and IRSA, having served
seven years as the President. His
tireless efforts on College and IRSA
committees, advising MSAC and the
Health Insurance Commission and the
teaching of registrars and Fellows will be
sorely missed. Congratulations on your
outstanding service Kevin!
RANZCR Interventional Radiology
Standing Committee
RANZCR President Dr Greg Slater
recently wrote to all College members
outlining the vision for the creation of a
new Interventional Radiology Standing
Committee, aiming to form a body
that is representative of all IRs within
the College. It is anticipated that the
terms of reference will be available
soon. Interested members are strongly
encouraged to email their expressions
of interest to:
Dr Bell receiving his gold
medal from Dr Vrazas