Pediatric Interventional Radiology Expands Under New Leadership

Eleanor Kim, MD, has been appointed director of pediatric interventional radiology (IR) for Columbia Radiology at NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, part of the Children’s Hospital of New York (CHONY). Her appointment marks a new phase of growth for a busy service that provides minimally invasive, image-guided procedures for infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.

“Dr. Kim is both a talented clinician and great with children,” said Stephen Reis, MD, associate professor of radiology and chief of the Division of Interventional Radiology. “We are excited to expand interventional radiology services for our pediatric patients under her leadership.”

Interventional radiologists are an important part of multidisciplinary teams caring for children with congenital heart disease, vascular anomalies, liver disease, cancer, and many other complex conditions. Trained in both diagnostic imaging and minimally invasive procedures, they use image guidance and tiny instruments to treat conditions from inside the body.

Treating Columbia's Most Complex Pediatric Patients

At the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, Kim will work closely with several of Columbia’s highly specialized pediatric programs. She will serve as a core member of the multidisciplinary Vascular Anomalies Program, caring for children with abnormal blood vessels and lymphatic conditions. Kim’s passion for and expertise in treating these conditions has resulted original research which she presented at the annual International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies meeting. She will also support the Congenital Heart Center and the pediatric Liver Transplant Program, providing minimally invasive treatments for their complex patients.

In addition, Kim will prioritize the expansion of Columbia’s pediatric interventional oncology services, a newer field of pediatric interventional radiology that provides targeted therapies for pediatric and young adult patients with cancer.

Continuity of Care from Childhood to Adulthood

For many pediatric patients in these programs, interventional radiology care can continue for years or even decades. Kim, who trained in adult interventional radiology at Columbia before completing a pediatric interventional radiology fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital, brings expertise in both adult and pediatric procedures to the position. “I plan to create a system where patients are seen from their first presentation all the way into adulthood,” Kim says. Her dual expertise will allow her to provide continuity of care for patients during the transition from childhood into adulthood.

Kim will spend most of her clinical time at the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital while maintaining a connection to adult interventional radiology. Over time, she hopes the continued growth of the service will also create new opportunities for education and training in pediatric interventional radiology.

“The peds IR team at CHONY is fantastic,” Kim said. “I’m excited to work with all the wonderful people here.” And, she added, there is a shared vision for the future: “We want to grow.”