William S. Rilling

William S. Rilling, MD, FSIR is a Professor and Vice Chair of Clinical Operations for Image Guided Procedures in the Department of Radiology at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He specializes in Vascular and Interventional Radiology with a focus on interventional oncology, particularly liver-directed therapies for primary and metastatic liver cancers. Dr. Rilling serves as a member of the Cancer Center and maintains clinical privileges across multiple institutions including Froedtert Hospital, Zablocki VA Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, and other Froedtert Health system hospitals.

Dr. Rilling's educational background includes a BS in Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1986) and an MD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine (1990). He completed his Diagnostic Radiology residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin (1991-1995) and a Vascular & Interventional Radiology fellowship at Northwestern Memorial Hospital (1995-1996). His academic career progressed from Assistant Professor (1996-2000) to Associate Professor (2000-2006) to Professor (2006-Present) in both Radiology and Surgery (Surgical Oncology).

Dr. Rilling's research focuses on advancing interventional oncology techniques, particularly in liver cancer treatment. Key areas include radioembolization with Y-90 microspheres, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), microwave ablation, and image-guided tumor therapies. His recent work centers on the ACCLAIM trial investigating real-time 3D confirmation of ablation margins for colorectal liver metastases. He has made significant contributions to consensus guidelines for tumor ablation endpoints and quality of life considerations in interventional oncology procedures. His publication record spans over two decades with numerous high-impact studies in leading journals.

• Distinguished Faculty Member Award, Society of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology (2001)
• Designation of Fellow (FSIR), Society of Interventional Radiology (2003)
• Best Doctors in America recognition (2003)
• Thomas L. Smallwood Award for Patient Care Excellence (2013)
• Clinical Abstract of the Year Award, Society of Interventional Radiology (2015)
• Lee A. Biblo, MD Excellence in Professionalism Award (2019)
• Society of Interventional Radiology 2023 Charles T. Dotter Lecture
• Teacher of the Year, Vascular & Interventional Radiology Fellowship (2022-2023)

As an educator, Dr. Rilling directed fellowship programs for over a decade and has been a Guest Examiner for the American Board of Radiology since 2002. His leadership extends to professional societies where he served as President of the Society of Interventional Oncology (2019-2020) and has held multiple committee roles with the Society of Interventional Radiology spanning over 25 years. He continues to actively shape the field through his research, mentorship, and leadership in advancing interventional oncology standards and practices.