Dr. Richard Harding Joins Global Leaders at NASIT 2026 to Advance Thyroid Treatment

Dr. Richard Harding
18 hours ago
3 min read

The 2026 North American Society for Interventional Thyroidology (NASIT) Conference brought together world experts dedicated to advancing safe, effective, minimally invasive surgical treatments for thyroid disease. This year’s meeting, held in Portland, Oregon, highlighted major innovations in thyroid ablation and the rapidly growing field of interventional endocrinology.

Dr. Richard Harding attended the conference to collaborate with global leaders and continue expanding minimally‑invasive treatment options available to patients in Arizona. The field of thyroid treatment is evolving rapidly, with new methods offering patients safer and less invasive options. Last year, Dr. Harding introduced Nano Pulsed Field Ablation (nsPFA) and this year has brought Microwave Ablation (MWA) treatments for thyroid nodule to Phoenix, Arizona.

At NASIT 2026, experts from around the world gathered to share knowledge and push the boundaries of nonsurgical thyroid ablation.

Dr. Harding at NASIT 2026 with colleagues

Learning from the Pioneer of Thyroid Ablation

A highlight of NASIT 2026 was the keynote presentation by Dr. Jung Hwan Baek, MD, PhD, widely recognized as the pioneer of thyroid ablation. Based at Asan Medical Center in Seoul, South Korea, Dr. Baek has spent 24 years developing and refining techniques that have transformed how thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer can be treated without surgery.

His contributions include:

Advancing radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for benign and malignant thyroid disease
Developing ethanol ablation (EA) for cystic nodules
Improving core needle biopsy techniques
Leading clinical trials in thyroid and neck interventions
Creating AI‑driven diagnostic tools, including the S‑Detect thyroid CAD system
Training physicians across Asia, Europe, and the United States

Dr. Baek’s has published over 200 scientific papers and 7 book chapters. He has conducted training program of thyroid including thyroid imaging, biopsy and non-surgical treatment (EA and RFA) at Asan Medical Center (Seoul, Korea), Asia, Europe and USA. Recently, he developed thyroid CAD system (S-Detect for thyroid) using an artificial intelligence. Dr. Baek's work continues to shape the global standard for nonsurgical thyroid care.

What Is Interventional Endocrinology?

Interventional endocrinology is an emerging field that uses image‑guided, minimally invasive procedures to treat conditions traditionally managed with surgery. While most procedures focus on thyroid nodules, the approach is expanding internationally to include parathyroid and adrenal applications.

For many patients, these techniques offer:

No general anesthesia
No surgical scar
Faster recovery
Lower complication rates
reservation of thyroid function

This is why thyroid ablation is becoming an important alternative to traditional thyroid surgery.

Dr. Harding’s Commitment to Bringing Innovation Home

Dr. Harding’s participation in NASIT 2026 reflects his dedication to offering patients the most advanced, least‑invasive options available.

“Learning directly from pioneers like Dr. Baek reinforces why interventional thyroidology is transforming patient care. His decades of innovation continue to push the field forward, and I’m committed to bringing these minimally‑invasive, evidence‑based techniques to the patients I serve. Our goal is always the same — effective treatment with the smallest possible impact on a patient’s life,” said Dr. Harding.

By engaging with global experts and staying at the forefront of emerging techniques, Dr. Harding continues to expand access to nonsurgical thyroid treatments for patients throughout Arizona and the United States.

Why This Matters for Patients

For individuals with thyroid nodules, goiters, or recurrent thyroid cancer, the landscape of treatment is changing. Many patients who once faced surgery may now be candidates for: