Ep. 551 Independent IR Practice: Opportunities and Challenges with Dr. Waqaar Diwan

BackTable Vascular & Interventional

What would you do if your IR/DR practice underwent major ownership and staffing changes just one week after signing your first attending contract? In this episode of BackTable, Dr. Waqaar Diwan joins host Dr. Michael Barraza to share his experience facing exactly that challenge—and how it led to the eventual development of his own independent IR practice.

---

This podcast is supported by:

RADPAD® Radiation Protection
https://www.radpad.com/
This podcast is supported by:

Medtronic Emprint
https://www.medtronic.com/emprint

---

SYNPOSIS

Dr. Diwan discusses how he navigated the unexpected transition of ownership and staffing changes, and ultimately secured a hospital contract that allowed him to perform IR procedures full-time. Since then, he has been building an independent IR practice with the support of his partner and a growing team.

Dr. Diwan shares his goals for the practice, including staffing and equipment logistics, strategic planning, and patient outreach. He emphasizes the importance of leveraging personal and professional networks to guide his business development.

He also outlines key differences between independent IR practices and combined IR/DR models. These include the need for greater investment in the outpatient experience, actively seeking referrals, and navigating hospital politics without the backing of a larger department. His top advice for building a referral base is to first earn trust—by excelling in straightforward cases and ensuring strong outcomes—and to market the practice directly to potential referring providers.

Overall, Dr. Diwan encourages early-career interventional radiologists to know their worth. He notes that in the real world, IRs are often seen as providers of “catch-all” services, making it crucial to ensure fair compensation. He stresses the importance of striking a balance between self-advocacy and humility, all while staying focused on serving patients.

---

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction
01:42 - Navigating Contracts and Restructuring
8:07 - Upcoming Goals for His IR Group
14:00 - Strategic Planning and Marketing
20:16 - Compensation and Finances of Independent IR
27:38 - Future Plans and Market Trends
29:48 Advice for New Interventional Radiologists

---

RESOURCES

Minimally Invasive Specialists of Texas:
https://www.mist-health.com/