As president of the Association of Program Directors in Interventional Radiology (APDIR), Quinn Meisinger, MD, has a keen interest in the ABR’s Initial Certification process.

He gained more of a voice recently by joining the ABR Interventional Radiology Initial Certification Advisory Committee. The group, which includes physicians from many career stages, serves as a connection between candidates and the ABR. 

“With all the things that (the APDIR does) for program directors and IR residency as a whole, it made sense to be part of the committee,” he said. 

Joining as an APDIR representative is another opportunity for Dr. Meisinger to serve his profession’s trainees and early career physicians. He has been the director of independent and integrated interventional radiology residencies within the UC San Diego Department of Radiology since 2019.

One of the committee’s ongoing tasks will be to offer opinions about a recent change to the IR/DR Certifying Exam process. Candidates seeking certification in 2029 or later will need to take both the IR/DR and DR oral exams. The current computer-based IR/DR Certifying Exam will be discontinued at that time.

The ABR made the adjustment after soliciting and receiving feedback from dozens of diplomates representing IR/DR associations and societies last year. Dr. Meisinger understands the need for change.

“If I’m sitting next to my partner who is DR certified, then I, as an IR physician, should have the same amount of DR certification. This is important from an optics standpoint as well for the patient population that we serve,” he said. 

Timing will be everything. As a program director, Dr. Meisinger wants to ensure that candidates have sufficient time to prepare for and take two oral exams while also performing clinical duties. 

“I think IR orals will stay where they are (in regard to timing), but when do we hold this DR oral exam within IR residency/training?” he said. “That’s probably the biggest thing that we have to figure out. We need to make sure they are timed synergistically to make it work for trainees and programs.” 

Dr. Meisinger became a program director in 2019, two years after completing an IR fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, where he served as chief fellow. He completed residency training at UC San Diego School of Medicine after earning his medical degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine. 

As a physician who started working with residents not long after finishing his training, Dr. Meisinger feels particularly proud when his trainees complete the program and start their independent careers. It wasn’t that long ago that he was in their shoes. 

“When you see them grow and become great physicians over the course of their years of training with us, it’s pretty phenomenal,” he said. “It’s always a little bittersweet when everybody leaves … you put so much time into developing residents. It’s also very gratifying. I’m lucky to have the position and I hope to keep it going.” 

As well as working with trainees, Dr. Meisinger performs clinical procedures and sees patients. He said he also puts in a couple of hours each week reading emergency department images to keep his DR abilities sharp. 

“It’s like riding a bike,” he said. “I recognize that and try to maintain my skills.” 

Dr. Meisinger will start doing double duty next year as an IR/DR oral examiner. He wasn’t available when invited this year because he was part of a friend’s wedding when the exam took place. 

“When you get brought on (as an ABR volunteer), you have to do it,” he said. “I’m excited to start.” 

The IR Initial Certification Advisory Committee likely will be getting together in Tucson this fall. If that meeting happens, the new certifying exam process will no doubt be discussed. The team’s feedback will be important. 

“It’s the top priority,” Dr. Meisinger said. “I think we’re entrenched in terms of exam content. IR is leading the way with a pre-existing oral exam that is pretty comprehensive. DR’s oral exam addition will provide what’s needed from the IR/DR certification perspective. Although it will be difficult to find an ideal time in training, I think it will be a positive step for the specialty.”