Interventional Radiology
Med School/Year Graduated: Ohio State University, 1999
Years in Practice: 18
For the layperson, how does interventional radiology differ from classic diagnostic radiology?
The exaggerated stereotype of diagnostic radiology is sitting in a dark room interpreting X-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds and such. Interventional radiology is not that. We have additional fellowship training in a wide range of therapeutic procedures. My days are filled with talking with physician colleagues, meeting patients and performing really fascinating procedures using high-tech equipment.
Is the work you do completely non-invasive, or do you also need to pick up a scalpel from time to time?
The majority of our procedures are similar to building a ship in a bottle – everything is done through a tiny skin nick that doesn’t even require a suture to heal.
What is the most common therapeutic interventional radiology procedure that you perform? And the most rewarding?
The most common procedures are simple drainages and biopsies. I also get a lot of satisfaction from more complex, highly specialized cancer treatments. The two main categories are freezing or heating of small tumors that are caught early, and infusing medications into the blood vessels going to tumors that are a little larger. Direct injections into tumors might be the next big thing, and it has been fun offering a small amount of assistance to a couple of companies developing those therapies.
You have a distinctly Teutonic name! Did you spend any part of your childhood in Germany?
I get that question a lot. Some people seem disappointed that I don’t have an accent. But the German heritage is generations old. My middle name is Knights, so there’s also a British flair.
What are your other hobbies and interests outside medicine?
Most days after work you can find me in a CrossFit gym. I do a fair amount of reading on my Kindle, and I’m perfecting my sautéed scallop recipe for friends. I love outdoor adventure trips. Over the last couple years I’ve done hiking in the Alps and Nepal, cycling in several National Parks and fly fishing in backcountry Montana.
What are you streaming on TV these days?
I don’t watch any shows, but I enjoy college football and the golf majors.
“If I wasn’t a doctor, I’d be…”
My first career out of college was as a chemical engineer, and I had the fun experience of earning a minor patent on fabric softener. If I hadn’t made the wonderful choice to go to medical school, I would have continued with that, but I would have sought out international work assigments.
