His ABR Work Is All About Helping Trainees 

Brian Covello, MD, has been a member of the ABR’s Interventional Radiology Initial Certification Advisory Committee since early in his residency. His committee experience over the past several years has given him insight into how the organization plans exams and sets certification goals. 

“The ABR makes changes that help trainees,” said Dr. Covello, who earned his board certification this past April. “Being able to serve on the committee has been important for me to see the underpinnings of how that all works.” 

One of the ABR’s foremost goals for its Initial Certification (IC) program is to improve the candidate experience. The ABR has IC advisory committees for all four specialties that it certifies. The members are conduits between the organization and residents, making the IC process a team effort. There also are advisory committees for Continuing Certification. 

Dr. Covello said exchanging information from both sides was particularly important when the ABR switched to remote exams in 2021. Dispelling myths and sharing what goes on in committee meetings are part of a member’s duties. 

“My colleagues were wondering if the Core Exam was going to get harder,” he said. “There are always rumors when big changes are made to an exam. It’s been nice to be able to say, ‘No, that’s not the case. We’re taking it step by step and trying to make it as fair as possible.’” 

After completing an Early Specialization in Interventional Radiology (ESIR)/diagnostic radiology (DR) residency at HCA Florida Aventura Hospital, Dr. Covello finished an IR fellowship at Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute. He said those experiences showed that physicians from across specialties can work together. 

“We see interventional radiologists teaming with urologists and vascular surgeons in a multidisciplinary way,” he said. “This can only benefit patients. When we all work together, patient care improves.” 

Before becoming an independent physician, Dr. Covello worked at Radiology Associates of Clearwater (Florida). He handled both DR and IR duties, reflective of his training. After splitting his time between the disciplines, he discovered a favorite. 

“When I went into diagnostic radiology, I missed patient interaction and clinical aspect,” he said. “I strived during my training to get as much exposure in neuro IR, clinical patient care, and ICU as I could and found myself very early in my diagnostic pathway gravitating toward ESIR.” 

Dr. Covello is enjoying the life of an interventional radiologist. He even hopes to open an outpatient clinic in the Tampa area. 

“It doesn’t feel like a job,” he said. “It feels like I’m playing the greatest game there is. I get to save people or at least make a positive impact on their lives. When a patient comes back and says, ‘You really affected my quality of life,’ that’s ultimately why I went into medicine.” 

Dr. Covello became friends with Omar Viqar, MD, when the two were residents at Aventura. Dr. Viqar isn’t surprised by his colleague’s desire to take on challenges. 

“One of Dr. Covello’s most impressive qualities is his entrepreneurial mindset,” he said. “He has a natural ability to identify opportunities, think creatively, and execute on new ideas. What truly sets him apart is how quickly he can immerse himself in a new area, master complex concepts, and become proficient in a remarkably short period of time. Whether it is a new procedure, technology, business venture, or operational challenge, he approaches it with curiosity, discipline, and a relentless desire to learn.” 

Nominated by the Society of Interventional Radiology Residents, Fellows, and Student section to be on the advisory committee, Dr. Covello has seen many positive changes, the biggest being the switch to remote exams. He was able to watch the progress as a committee member before he took the Qualifying (Core) Exam. 

Hearing about the exam from ABR staff and volunteers set his mind at ease and enabled him to let his colleagues know the new platform was well-planned and executed. 

“When it’s remote and it’s a well-oiled machine, it’s just nice,” he said. “There’s less anxiety than going to a testing center. You’re in your own element and it creates a great environment.”