Kyle Bellu, DO

Hometown: Inverbervie, Scotland, UK
Where got Undergrad Degree: Christian Brothers University, Memphis, TN
Where got Medical Degree: William Carey University 
Where did Internship: General Surgery at University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN

Why did you choose Baptist?

My wife is an IR nurse at Baptist and through her experiences I knew the IR department at Baptist was second to none in terms of sheer volume and assortment of cases being performed. The IR residency is fortunate to have the support of an outstanding established DR residency that provides the foundational diagnostic education needed to succeed as an interventionalist and offers the perfect blend of inpatient IR cases with private practice OBL cases through VIP and MSIT. The program offers great autonomy and has everything needed to succeed. 

What is your day like?  Any challenges?  What’s rewarding about your day?

Wake up around 6 am, morning coffee and CORE Radiology reading. Arrive at work around 7.40am. Day duties depend on rotation, reading studies if on Diagnostic rotations or doing cases if on IR. Grab lunch from the physician's lounge or in the cafeteria. Noon Conference from 12-1pm. 10-minute hiatus at Angelas office for drink and a snack prior to returning to reading or cases for the remainder of the afternoon. Rotations finish at around 5, will depend on if cases in IR run later. Workout at the on site Baptist gym after work prior to going home. Evenings spent with my wife and doggo. 

Every day has its challenges and so much is learned. This program gives a lot of autonomy early on but support is always freely available. 

What is your favorite thing about Memphis?

The warm weather and amazing variety of food. There is a ton of outdoorsy things to do in the surrounding area. My wife and I like to hike at Meeman Shelby Forrest in the Fall and Spring, Kayak at Indian Creek and Buffalo River in the Summer. The Little Red River in Arkansas is great for weekend getaways and fishing and is not too far away. 

What made you decide on your career?  Was there someone or something in your life that helped you choose your path?

I switched into IR from Surgery late into my PGY 1 year so I was definitely late to the party. Through my own encounters in the hospital, I worked closely with IR providers and the incredible diversity of what procedures were performed by them piqued my interest very quickly. I soon learned how incredibly impactful the field was, with the combination of skills obtained both as a diagnostic radiologist and interventionalist offering a unique approach to patient care. I definitely have my wife and IR faculty at Baptist to thank for pushing me and offering me the opportunity. 

Why would you recommend Baptist to a prospective applicant?

Absolutely, this is a very innovative time for IR as a whole and the Baptist/MSIT faculty are doing it all. The hospital offers the high-stake emergent cases (TIPS, PE, GI Bleed etc) and complex oncology cases (Y-90), as well as the bread-and-butter CT guided and peripheral cases that lay the foundations early. The OBLs offer the more advanced embolisations. The faculty are very supportive and grant a great deal of trust and responsibility very early on. The volume and diversity of cases 

Baptist also has an incredible Diagnostic Radiology Department and the education provided is top tier. You will be a very competent Diagnostic Radiologist by the end of R3 year which will set you up for success in the IR years.