Maxwell Lazinger, M.D., FABR

Vascular and Interventional Radiology; Diagnostic Radiology, Boone Health Radiology

I grew up in Lakewood, Nj – “down the Shore” – then lived in Boston for most of my education. I graduated Brandeis University with Honors in Biology and Research, then Tufts University Medical School before completing electives in plastic surgery at Stanford, hepatobiliary surgery at Emory, and trauma Surgery at University of Miami Jackson Memorial Hospital in Florida. During my surgical training at Georgetown University, I developed a strong interest in the field of interventional radiology and endovascular treatments. I returned to Boston to train in radiology and interventional radiology at the Lahey Clinic, then back to Miami for an endovascular fellowship at the Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute. My parents had a strong influence on my life. My mother was a concentration camp survivor, and my father was a decorated WWII veteran whose infantry battalion liberated my mother. My wife Julie is my best friend, soulmate, and the funniest person I know. I have four children ages 13, 15, 23, and 27 who keep us very busy.

Why did you get into the health care field?

As a child, I always wanted to be the medic when playing army. I love science and helping people.

What interested you in your particular specialty?

Lots of gadgets and minimally invasive procedures! Most procedures can be done with sedation only, and patients can go home the same day.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Helping people, educating patients on procedures and choices, and working as a team. Nothing happens in the hospital without a cohesive team of ancillary staff, radiology techs, and nurses.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

The technology exists for any physician to access patient records and imaging from anywhere in the world anytime; however, insurance and governmental privacy policies and proprietary differences in IT platforms do not allow access. Access should be seamless, but it is not. It is very frustrating.

What do you see changing in health care in the next 5 to 10 years?

Scientific progression of increasingly less invasive procedures will continue, but the economics of third-party payers has to change. It is not financially sustainable as it exists today.

What advice would you give someone looking to become a doctor?

Make sure you love what you do, because the training is long and the hours are long.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Spending time with family outdoors. We love hiking, mountain and trail biking, skiing, and road trips. We’re also a musical family. My wife plays drums, two kids play saxophone, and I’ve played guitar my entire life.

What advice would you give to someone who is going to be a patient in a hospital for a period of time?

Plan on getting out of bed and ambulating (walking around) as soon as feasible.