SIR Foundation Receives Major Gift to Support Uterine Health Research

March 6, 2023—The Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) Foundation announced a major gift from John Lipman, MD, to support uterine fibroid research. The announcement was made at the SIR Foundation Gala on March 5 during SIR 2023, the society’s annual scientific meeting held in Phoenix, Arizona, on March 4-9, 2023.

The gift will support 4 years of funding for the SIR Foundation’s newly announced Dr. Scott C. Goodwin Uterine Artery Embolization Grant and 5 years of funding for the Dr. James B. Spies Global Summit on Uterine Fibroid and Adenomyosis Research. The Dr. Goodwin grant is focused on advancing uterine fibroid and uterine artery embolization research and will launch in October 2023. The first Dr. Spies summit will be hosted in June 2023.

SIR Foundation Board Chair Theresa M. Caridi, MD, commented in the society’s press release, “Research into uterine fibroids and adenomyosis and the minimally invasive treatments that can address these conditions, such as uterine artery embolization, are invaluable in providing care to women. We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Lipman for his personal commitment to advancing the future of interventional radiology for patients and our colleagues in all practice settings.”

The SIR Foundation noted that Dr. Goodwin and Dr. Spies are highly regarded pioneers of uterine fibroid research, having led the SIR Foundation’s Fibroid Registry, the largest collection of data on uterine fibroids, and conducted foundational research into uterine artery embolization. Both Dr. Goodwin and Dr. Spies are long-term members of SIR and have served as SIR presidents and as members of the SIR Foundation’s leadership.

Dr. Lipman is a widely recognized expert on uterine fibroids and uterine fibroid embolization. He is Founder and Medical Director of the Atlanta Fibroid Center in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Lipman is an active public speaker and advocate, delivering regular lectures and making media appearances to ensure more widespread knowledge about uterine fibroids among both medical and general audiences. The Atlanta Fibroid Center is a renowned outpatient medical center treating patients from the Atlanta area, the United States, and the world.

“Dr. Goodwin and Dr. Spies have had a lasting and transformative impact on research into uterine fibroids and the safe and effective procedure of uterine artery embolization,” stated Dr. Lipman in the SIR Foundation's press release. “I am inspired by their decades-long service as physicians, researchers, educators, and advocates, and grateful to have this opportunity to support ongoing research into this historically underfunded area of care afflicting historically underserved women in particular.”