ECVDI Interview - Dominique Penninck (2018)

ECVDI Interview - Dominique Penninck (2018)

Tell us a bit about your path to becoming a radiologist.

I started my veterinary career as a part-time surgeon.  At that time, ultrasonography was not performed in veterinary medicine, but I decided to learn it at a local human hospital in the department of pediatric radiology (Brussels).  This became my passion…and after 4 years, I applied to an American radiology residency program…and that was the start of a new life!

What is your practice and work day like?

I’m a full-time radiologist working in academia.  The day starts with resident rounds, followed by clinical service, I’m spending most of my time these days in ultrasound (small animals) with the residents and students assigned to that service. Activities include: discussing clinical cases and their management, attending meetings,performing interventional procedures, consulting on other imaging modalities findings, lecturing, preparing lectures or invited CE presentations...and still enjoying the company of animals around.

Your favourite imaging modality?

Ultrasound

How do you think veterinary radiology will change in 10 years time?

I suspect that CT and MRI will continue to grow and push aside ultrasound, similarly to what is happening in human medicine. This may lead to a decline of an imaging art, or a better complementary approach at the end...

Specializations will likely shape differently their boundaries, and therefore imaging modalities won’t necessarily „belong to“ the radiologists...We will have to rethink our role.

What advice would you go back in time and give yourself when you were a resident?

Relax and look at the big picture...

What do you like to do for fun?

Walk in nature with a camera. 
Travel with my kids, or with friends

What have you always wanted to do but never done?

Learn to play drums

Favourite quote or words to live by?

Do not wait for tomorrow.

Please complete the following sentences…

I usually start my day with a cup of chai tea latte while feeding the dog and the cat.

The time of my residency was an amazing opportunity to grow away from home, to expand my world and shape my approach to veterinary medicine.  

If I had more time, I would write a novel while traveling the world.

Sometimes I ask myself where did the last 20 years go!

I solve problems when I can brainstorm with others in a relax set-up.

Teaching is decoding how people learn, and figuring tools to share knowledge

My favourite image: 

The elephant in the room