Physician Spotlight: Dr. Joan Wojack, Radiology

I am originally from Long Island, New York.

I was a neurosurgery resident at New York University during the very early days of the subspecialty of interventional neuroradiology. I was drawn to the potential of this field and changed specialties in 1990. While switching specialties, I ran the emergency department at Bellevue Hospital Center (a level 1 trauma center) four nights a week for a year. I moved to Louisiana, completing a radiology residency and diagnostic/interventional neuroradiology fellowship in 1996. I moved to Lafayette and worked at UHC for 6 months before joining the Acadiana Radiology Group in August of 1996 and I have been a partner since then.

There was past discussion about Acadiana Radiology Group joining with Radiology Associates and about a year and a half ago it was the right time. I now spend most of my time between OGHS and Abbeville General. I am excited to be able to bring the knowledge and skills that I have to the patients and physicians at OGHS and to expand what we have to offer in radiology.

My favorite thing about working at OGHS is the community hospital feel and collegial aspect; doctors frequently drop by my office to discuss patients and treatment plans. The environment is not too pressured to allow time for discussions that are mutually beneficial; I learn a lot during these conversations.

I enjoy helping people. I truly enjoy some of the pain management procedures I perform in Abbeville, which provides instant gratification because patients immediately experience relief. I would be interested in growing that service line at OGHS.

In the late 90s/early 2000s, I worked with a team to create a stroke program at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center. I serve as Director of their joint commission certified program, which offers 24-7 stroke intervention. I also enjoy teaching and facilitate an annual stroke course at a national society meeting.

I am thankful to work in a profession where I have the ability to look at neuroradiology images remotely from wherever I may be so that I can provide timely input.

I always wanted to go into medicine, but was unsure if I was interested in veterinary or human medicine. My uncle was a neurosurgeon, which piqued my interest. I have broad experiences in neuro specialties and am always available and willing to tackle something new. I am a team player and enjoy working with all medical professionals, from technologists to physicians.

I began riding horses at the age of 5 or 6. I currently compete at hunter/jumper horse shows with my two warmblood horses, Samba and Luna. A couple of times a year I volunteer at St. Bernadette, Our Lady of Lourdes’ free clinic. This serves as a great reminder to why I went into the medical field in the first place.