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Getting to know your doctors
James Hill, interventional radiologist
Kern Radiology Medical Group
California as an interventional cardiologist for more than
30 years. His consistent dedication to his work and his
patients, as well as the joy he received from saving his
patients from life-threatening situations, such as heart
attacks, was truly an inspiration while growing up. To this
day, he remains the most steadfast and respectable role
model I have met.
Why did you want to practice medicine in
Bakersfield?
I think this is a wonderful opportunity to bring a
minimally invasive skill set and cutting-edge techniques
to the community of Bakersfield, and to give the people
here emerging image guided options for treating health
issues, which may have required surgery in the past.
What do you enjoy most about your work as a
physician?
It is very rewarding to be able to help a patient with
minimal invasive techniques and low recovery times to
help them recover faster from difficult health problems,
and get them back to enjoying life as quickly as possible.
I
nterventional radiologist Dr. James Hill recently finished his subspecialty fellowship training in vascular
and interventional radiology at the University of Colorado Hospital in Denver. He had the opportunity to
learn from some of the most respected names in the
field, including the current executive secretary of the
Society of Interventional Radiology. Hill has also completed a diagnostic radiology residency at the University
of Colorado, and his internship at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s
Medical Center in Denver.
What inspired you to practice medicine?
I was first inspired to practice medicine by my father,
who recently retired after serving the East Bay area of
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What does your job entail?
We treat a wide variety of conditions with image
guided minimally invasive techniques, including cancer,
vertebral fractures, dialysis access, peripheral arterial
disease, varicose veins, uterine fibroid disease, male
varicocele associated with infertility, liver cirrhosis,
implantable ports and lines, as well as a multitude of
other techniques to treat a variety of diseases of the liver,
kidneys and other organs.
What makes your practice special?
We have a rapidly growing practice with a long proud
tradition of serving the Bakersfield area. There are also
several new outpatient centers with wonderful facilities
that patients can easily access without the difficulties
that can be associated with hospital care.
When you aren’t at work, what do you do to relax?
As a born Californian who has also spent time in the
mountains of Colorado, I’m an avid rock climber, mountain biker and runner who also enjoys fly-fishing and
golf. I also love to travel internationally and play the
drums when I have time!
Shawn Isaeff, interventional radiologist
Kern Radiology Medical Group
I
nterventional radiologist Dr. Shawn D. Isaeff completed his medical degree at Loma Linda University School
of Medicine, then received his internal medicine
internship, radiology residency and vascular and interventional radiology fellowship at Dartmouth-Hitchcock
Medical Center. Isaeff has been practicing medicine for 14
years and has practiced in Jackson, Tenn., Tulsa, Okla.,
and now Bakersfield.
Isaeff and his wife are both native Californians, who
enjoy living closer to family and friends. Their only daughter is in college studying theater. Isaeff has two active German shepherds and more koi fish than he can count.
What inspired you to practice medicine?
My father is a physician and I grew up watching his
dedication to his patients and passion about his work. He
never pushed me into medicine, but was very supportive
of my decisions. I enjoyed the science of medicine first,
and this sparked my initial interest. Clinical rotations later
helped me appreciate the human side of medicine, enjoy
the patient interaction, and ultimately realize the importance of this connection with my patients.
Why did you want to practice medicine in
Bakersfield?
The practice I joined — Kern Radiology Medical
Group — is dedicated to developing its interventional
radiology practice, providing high-quality care with minimally invasive treatments for multiple medical problems.
Among our practice goals is the development of an outpatient clinic, providing specialized evaluation and state-ofthe-art medical care with the ease and advantages of an
outpatient office. This opportunity brought me here, and I
am providing the opportunity to develop this practice.
What do you enjoy most about your work as a
physician?
Although I am technically focused and enjoy the challenges of the medical procedures we perform, I enjoy seeing the improvements that patients experience. This is
particularly satisfying when patients experience pain
relief and improvements in quality of life.
What does your job entail?
Interventional radiologists are problem solvers. Our
specialty is based on imaging and focuses on medical
problems we can treat with non-surgical procedures in
almost every organ system. We see patients in the clinic
and in the hospital, help recommend and choose treatments available, and perform these treatments, often with
X-ray guidance in procedure rooms. Most procedures can
be performed with sedation only, and recoveries are relatively quick. We then follow up with our patients to check
results.
When you aren’t at work, what do you do to relax?
I really enjoy time at home with my family and our
dogs. We have a backyard pond and I find it relaxing taking care of our koi fish. They are very tame and will eat
from your hand! I also enjoy cycling, and our family
enjoys traveling together.
How do you practice living a happy, healthy life?
I feel it is important to maintain balance. Opportunities to relax and reflect help me be more focused when at
work. I enjoy a break from work, but like to be active with
projects and goals. My family keeps me anchored, and my
wife has supported me throughout my career. My spiritual
life also helps orient me and prioritize what is most
important in life.
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