Dr. O’Horo discusses her journey in radiology, the evolving role of women in the field and her experience at RP.

Dr. Susan O’Horo is a practicing interventional radiologist (IR) on RP’s SEAL team and serves on RP’s patient safety committee. Based in the coastal community of Hingham, Massachusetts, she balances her professional life by enjoying gardening, reading, participating in community activities, socializing with friends, exploring national parks and spending time with her three children.

We spoke with Dr. O’Horo to learn about her IR journey and advocacy for women in radiology.

Tell us what inspired you to become a radiologist.

My path to radiology was somewhat serendipitous. I initially pursued surgery in medical school, but the demanding hours caused me to reconsider. We worked about 125 hours a week, with 24-hour shifts often stretching to 30, which took its toll. I was seeking a change, and a friend introduced me to radiology’s appeal: a wide variety of interesting and diverse cases, frequent collaboration with other physicians and a healthier work-life balance. I was captivated by the intellectual challenge and my affinity for visual interpretation, prompting me to make the transition. Fortunately, I secured residency, smoothly transitioning from a surgical internship to radiology.

How did you choose IR as your specialty?

IR is a unique combination of imaging, procedures and direct patient care. The intersection of imaging, innovation and technology offers a dynamic environment where I can make a tangible difference in patients’ lives. I’m particularly drawn to the opportunity to treat some of the most complex cases in the hospital, where traditional treatments have often been exhausted. Whether pioneering new procedures or refining existing ones, the ability to positively impact patient outcomes is incredibly rewarding to me.

How did you connect with RP?

I connected with RP through my role as co-chair for the Massachusetts Radiological Society Quality and Safety Committee. We hosted a quarterly conference on quality and safety, where Dr. Nina Kottler, RP’s associate chief medical officer for clinical AI, was invited to speak on AI’s applications in clinical practice. Following her presentation, I approached her about potential opportunities within RP. She introduced me to Dr. Byron Christie, who was then president of the SEAL team at RP and has since become RP’s associate chief medical officer for operations.

You are a member of the SEAL team at RP. Can you explain what the SEAL team is and its role?

The SEAL team stands for “stabilize, engage, align and lead,” focusing primarily on operations and integration. When new practices join RP, the SEAL team provides on-site support to ensure smooth integration and stabilization of services. This includes offering radiology services to hospitals and patients during transition. Our goal is to facilitate a seamless integration process until the practice is fully integrated with RP, assisting with technology and regular radiology services as needed.

Being part of the SEAL team has been truly remarkable. While traditional radiology offers exposure to the best cases in one hospital, as a SEAL team member, I have the privilege of encountering top cases across the country. This role has provided valuable insights into diverse healthcare landscapes, enhancing my focus on quality and safety. This experience has deepened my understanding of delivering high-quality radiology on a national scale, fostering shared learning and improvement across practices. My responsibilities vary: I travel to our managed sites about one week per month, while the remainder of my time is dedicated to remotely supporting sites with diagnostic needs. This hybrid arrangement allows me to actively participate in interventional and diagnostic radiology, which is incredibly fulfilling professionally. Moreover, the outstanding work-life balance afforded by this position has been a game-changer for me, whether at home or on the road.

How have you observed the evolution of female representation and mentorship opportunities in IR throughout your career?

Few women were represented when I began my career in radiology, particularly in interventional radiology, and mentorship opportunities were scarce amidst prevalent biases. However, I’ve witnessed significant positive changes as more women enter various radiology specialties. Today, women in IR are breaking barriers, leading research, innovating techniques and advocating for diversity.

What advice would you give to encourage young female physicians to pursue a career in IR?

It’s important to recognize the increasing presence of women in IR, enriching the specialty with diverse perspectives and contributions. I would emphasize the intellectually stimulating nature of the work, the visually compelling practice and the abundant leadership and professional growth opportunities available. Aspiring female physicians should seek mentors who provide guidance and support, helping them engage in networks that promote collaboration and advocacy.

RP is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace where women radiologists thrive and make meaningful contributions. We actively encourage women to assume leadership roles, leveraging their expertise to influence decision-making. RP provides robust resources for professional growth, promotes a healthy work-life balance and cultivates networks where women radiologists can connect and mentor one another, creating a positive work environment. Moreover, we advocate for gender diversity and equality, ensuring equitable opportunities for women to succeed and excel in their careers.

How has your work/life balance changed since joining RP?

Since joining RP, my work/life balance has significantly improved, especially regarding my love for travel. Exploring national parks has long been a passion of mine, aiming to add two or three new ones each year. Traveling and working on-site at various hospitals has allowed me the opportunity to access additional parks. Each visit has been spectacular, from Mammoth Caves in Kentucky to Mount Rainier in Washington. Yosemite remains my favorite, closely followed by Mount Rainier.

What excites you about RP? What are some unique features you can’t find elsewhere?

My experience at RP has exceeded my expectations. I adore my team at RP. We’re incredibly cohesive, collaborative, and flexible, making our work environment enjoyable. It’s genuinely the most harmonious team I’ve ever been a part of. Our leaders are exemplary, guiding us all towards shared goals with positivity and clarity. I value RP’s physician-led approach and its leadership’s intelligence and emotional intelligence, which have enriched my experience here immensely.

Additionally, RP offers unique opportunities for radiologists with diverse interests and passions. In my previous roles, I couldn’t explore avenues like providing care in underserved areas or teaching residents abroad. At RP, I have the chance to make meaningful contributions both locally and globally. Whether teaching residents in Tanzania or assisting patients in hospitals across West Virginia, Kentucky and Appalachia, there’s a profound sense of fulfillment in delivering high-quality care where it’s needed most. This aspect of RP was a pleasant surprise, opening doors to opportunities I had previously only dreamed of.

How do you see RP contributing to the future of radiology?

In my opinion, the future of radiology hinges on the collaboration between radiologists and the technologies at our disposal, whether existing platforms or those yet to be developed, all aimed at enhancing patient care. These advancements are transformative. RP is a key player in reshaping radiology due to its vast resources, expansive reach and visionary leadership. The leadership team’s focus on patient care is paramount in addressing the growing demands on radiologists. With the current patient volumes surpassing the available radiologist workforce, innovative approaches are essential to efficiently meet patient needs. Burnout remains a significant concern among radiologists, but RP excels with its physician-led model, significantly improving outcomes for radiologists and patients. Efficiency and time management are my top priorities, especially as a mother of three. Thanks to advancements in AI and IT platforms, I can now care for more patients while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Are there any other experiences you’ve had working at RP that you would like to share?

What stands out to me is how radiology operates as a team effort, reminiscent of my college experience on the crew team. While individual contributions are crucial, our collaborative spirit propels us forward. Guided by exceptional leadership, we navigate challenges together, each member fulfilling their role with professionalism and dedication. This cohesive atmosphere is evident, with everyone working seamlessly towards shared objectives.

Dr. Susan O’Horo (LinkedIn) earned her medical degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine and completed her residency in diagnostic imaging and fellowship in interventional radiology at Rhode Island Hospital/Brown University.

Radiology Partners, through its owned and affiliated practices, is a leading physician-led and physician-owned radiology practice in the U.S. Learn more about our mission, values and practice principles at RadPartners.com. For the latest news from RP, follow along on our blog and on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and  YouTube. Interested in learning about career opportunities? Visit our careers page.

Dr. Peterson shares his thoughts on the benefits of a national radiology practice.

Dr. Matthew Peterson’s interventional radiology (IR) career spans two separate Radiology Partners affiliated practices. For the last two years, he has practiced in Sarasota, Florida, and prior, he served a practice in Columbus, Ohio. Currently, he is a member of RP’s physician recruiting support board, and he previously served on his local practice’s board. Outside of radiology, Dr. Peterson is married with three children and enjoys anything related to sports, especially golf and skiing. We talked to Dr. Peterson to learn more about his career and his experience with RP.

“With the benefits of a strong IT infrastructure, utilization of AI, adherence to best practice recommendations and a national platform that allows us to collaborate across a large network, I think Radiology Partners allows us to push the standard of what radiologists can offer to our patients and clients.” – Dr. Matthew Peterson

Why did you choose radiology?

I was exposed to IR during my third year of medical school. I already knew I wanted to do something surgical or procedure-based, and I found the use of imaging and minimally invasive techniques in IR fascinating, which drew me to radiology. As I learned more about the specialty, the ability to impact all parts of medicine interested me. To be a radiologist, you must be knowledgeable about so many different areas of medicine, and that challenge was what drove me to pursue radiology.

How did you connect with RP?

I have been with RP for much of my career. After my fellowship, I joined a private practice in Ohio. During my time there in 2016, our group partnered with Radiology Partners. Between serving on our local practice board and the RP recruiting support board, I developed a good understanding of how RP works with local practices and the value local practices and RP bring to each other. My family made the decision to relocate to Florida, and through the connections and friendships that I had made within RP, I was fortunate to relocate to another RP practice. My experience with RP has been very positive, and it was a goal of mine to stay within the practice.

What excites you about RP?

My group joined RP early on in my career, when RP was also in its beginning stages. Much of the discussion was about how to make radiology better and how RP could accomplish that. As time went on, RP grew and delivered, turning those ideas into resources to make us a better practice and physicians. With the benefits of a strong IT infrastructure, utilization of AI, adherence to best practice recommendations and a national platform that allows us to collaborate across a large network, I think Radiology Partners allows us to push the standard of what radiologists can offer to our patients and clients.

What are some of the unique features that RP offers that are hard to find elsewhere?

I like to highlight to people that RP is a radiology practice that puts a strong emphasis on culture and physician engagement. RP has created educational courses to teach radiologists about healthcare business and administration so we can train our own physicians to help lead our practice. RP allows for numerous opportunities to be in leadership roles, such as local practice committees, hospital/medical directors, RP national boards and radiology advocacy groups. We have a lot of great physician leaders at RP, and there are lots of ways that interested radiologists can get involved.

How has your opinion of RP changed since joining the practice?

I did not know much about RP when our practices merged, but one of the circumstances where I saw a real impact of being with RP was during the Covid-19 pandemic. There was a lot of uncertainty in the world, with what was going on and what the future would look like. Although no one was able to predict how it would play out, RP leadership did a great job of identifying potential challenges, offering guidance and giving projections as to what to expect. The transparency of RP’s leadership provided a sense of confidence and stability, which allowed us as radiologists to remain focused on providing patient care. I do not think our group would have had the same experience had it not been for RP.

What does the future of radiology look like in five years? How will RP contribute to that?

There are trends in radiology that I think will continue. Healthcare continues to rely on imaging, and with a growing and aging population, radiologists will be pushed to find ways to be more efficient without sacrificing quality to keep up with demand. Physician recruiting and retention will be increasingly important for groups, and I think improving the work environment and job satisfaction for radiologists will be more of a focus. Reimbursement will remain tied to quality metrics and adherence to these measures will be important for groups to avoid financial penalties. These are areas that RP continues to examine and improve where able. Additionally, AI will continue to be at the forefront of our profession. In RP, we have already seen the implementation of AI technology to improve the quality of our reports in the past five years. RP is continuing to develop AI into a tool to help us perform our job better, which I think will have a growing impact on the interpretation of images in the future.

Dr. Matthew Peterson earned his medical degree from Loyola University in Chicago; completed his residency at Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, New Jersey; and completed a fellowship in vascular and interventional radiology at the University of Minnesota.

Radiology Partners, through its owned and affiliated practices, is a leading physician-led and physician-owned radiology practice in the U.S. Learn more about our mission, values and practice principles at RadPartners.com. For the latest news from RP, follow along on our blog and on Twitter, LinkedIn,  Instagram and YouTube. Interested in learning about career opportunities? Visit our careers page.