An ABR volunteer since 2002, Darryl Zuckerman, MD, has more than proven his value as a committee chair for the past eight years.
As a result of that dedication and expertise, he has become an Interventional Radiology/Diagnostic Radiology (IR/DR) Trustee, a position he started at the conclusion of the annual board meeting in October. He’s one of five IR/DR members of the Board of Trustees (BOT) and was encouraged to pursue the spot by longtime Trustee Anne Covey, MD.
“It was my turn to rotate off that (chair) position,” said Dr. Zuckerman, an associate professor of radiology and biomedical imaging at the Yale University School of Medicine who served as chair of the IR/DR Certifying Exam item-writing committee. “I hoped that my next step would be becoming a Trustee.”
As is custom, Dr. Zuckerman and the other new Trustees spent the board meeting learning how their roles fit within the BOT structure and getting to know their colleagues.
It’s a different world compared with their time as volunteers. BOT members work in concert with physicians and physicists from all four specialties certified by the ABR, giving them a full picture of the organization.
“There’s a lot of complicated issues to deal with and sort through, and it was nice to meet the other Trustees,” Dr. Zuckerman said.
He’s becoming a Trustee at an important time. Plans are being made for the new DR Oral Certifying Exam debut in 2028, an exam that IR candidates will start taking the following year.
“A lot of us are pretty savvy and will figure out what needs to be fine-tuned and changed,” Dr. Zuckerman said. “Getting to know the DR people is going to be a key to making this work. It’s very interesting and an eye-opening experience. There will be growing pains like anything else, but it’s going to be successful.”
Dr. Covey sees Dr. Zuckerman as a vital addition to the team. His many years as a volunteer on oral and computer-based exams will make his contributions beneficial.
“His attention to detail and logistics together with his dedication to the mission of the ABR will be valuable to the Board,” she said. “I think Darryl’s extensive experience with the oral exam will be helpful to the diagnostic radiology Trustees as they gear up for the new DR Oral Certifying Exam.”
With years of volunteer experience on his resume, including for various radiology societies, Dr. Zuckerman makes a point of stressing to trainees and his colleagues the importance of serving their fields.
“I think everybody should give back in some way,” he said. “Whether it’s the ABR, RSNA, ACR, or SIR, find an organization that you like working with and offer your time, expertise, and effort. You’re following in the footsteps of people who built the profession.”
He especially enjoys working with ABR staff, whether it’s in Chicago, Tucson, or over video calls.
“I’ve worked with Exam Development and Delivery,” he said. “Staff really know their stuff. If they don’t have the answer, they get back to you very quickly with the solution.”
Dr. Zuckerman emphasizes the need for the radiological sciences to set their own standards. Of course, that’s where the ABR comes in. Its mission is to certify that diplomates demonstrate the requisite knowledge, skill, and understanding of their disciplines to the benefit of patients.
“We have to govern ourselves, take care of our own specialty, develop it ourselves,” he said. “That involves clinical research, good patient care, governance, certifying competent physicians, all the things that we do in organized radiology.”
First impressions mean a lot and Dr. Zuckerman walked away from the October board meeting inspired to start work. He sees his Trustee duties as a great way to team with and learn from colleagues who are similarly inspired to give back to their disciplines.
“I think the people are great,” he said. “Everyone’s so knowledgeable and experienced. It’s going to be a lot of fun working with them.”
