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BackTable / VI / Podcast / Episode #614
Interventional Radiology’s Evolution: Insights from Dr. Ernest Ring
from Dr. Ernest Ring
Have you ever wondered what it was like to be in the room when the first pelvic embolization was performed or how the TIPS procedure was pioneered? Dr. Ernie Ring, a legendary figure from UCSF and a true forefather of Interventional Radiology, joins host Dr. Peder Horner to recount the early days of the specialty. Dr. Ring shares fascinating stories from his training at Massachusetts General Hospital under Dr. Stanley Baum, where he witnessed the birth of transformative techniques using angiographic catheters to treat life-threatening bleeding.
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BackTable, LLC (Producer). (2026, February 6). Ep. 614 – Interventional Radiology’s Evolution: Insights from Dr. Ernest Ring [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from https://www.backtable.com
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Podcast Contributors
Synopsis
From improvising the use of autologous blood clot and thrombin to stop massive hemorrhages to his pivotal role in developing the TIPS procedure and specialized biliary catheters, Dr. Ring’s career is loaded with innovation. The conversation explores the "cowboy" era of IR, the evolution of essential tools like the glide wire, and the critical importance of maintaining a "high-touch" clinical practice in the face of emerging technologies like AI. Dr. Ring also reflects on his later transition into hospital leadership as Chief Medical Officer, where he applied his problem-solving mindset to institutional quality and safety.
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction
01:58 - Upbringing from Detroit to Mass Gen
06:55 - Early IR with an Embo Case
13:50 - Trailblazing Cases in IR
16:17 - Penn and Innovation
20:00 - Polarizing Procedures
24:13 - IR Device Innovation
33:00 - Dotter’s Separation from Diagnostics
37:30 - Fear Finds Cowboys
39:08 - AI and Robotics
40:08 - Fun Hobbies
The Materials available on BackTable are for informational and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for the professional judgment of a healthcare professional in diagnosing and treating patients. The opinions expressed by participants of the BackTable Podcast belong solely to the participants, and do not necessarily reflect the views of BackTable.
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