For two weeks, I will join the Road2IR program in Uganda to support the development of a sustainable, locally led Interventional Radiology (IR) training ecosystem. During my visit, I will work directly with the IR residents and faculty to perform complex image-guided procedures, introduce procedural planning strategies, and strengthen workflows related to vascular and non-vascular interventions.
I will participate in daily case conferences, hands-on procedural training, and structured teaching sessions designed to reinforce key competencies needed for the successful completion of Uganda’s IR residency program. In addition to clinical work, I will deliver a series of educational lectures on topics such as dialysis access maintenance, adrenal vein sampling, GAE, embolization techniques, and IR complications management—adapting each lecture to local case patterns and resource realities.
This project aims to bridge expertise across continents, help expand procedural capacity, and strengthen the confidence and independence of the local trainees. By supporting their skill development, I hope to contribute to long-term program growth and improved patient outcomes throughout the country.
This project directly serves Ugandan IR residents, medical trainees, and early-career physicians who are building the country’s first comprehensive Interventional Radiology program. These trainees serve a population with limited access to minimally invasive therapies, where IR can dramatically reduce morbidity and mortality for conditions such as trauma, postpartum hemorrhage, cancer, infections, and vascular disease.
The broader population served includes patients across Uganda—many of whom have historically lacked access to advanced image-guided care due to shortages in trained specialists, equipment, and systems-level IR infrastructure. By training local clinicians and supporting their ongoing development, this project strengthens a healthcare system that routinely faces resource constraints but cares for a large, medically complex population.
The expected impact of this project is to reinforce the clinical capacity of Uganda’s first IR residency program and help trainees gain the procedural skills and clinical judgment required for independent practice. By performing cases together, discussing decision-making, and offering targeted teaching, I hope to accelerate their readiness for graduation and long-term leadership within the program.
This experience will also strengthen cross-institutional collaboration between Uganda and Yale, allowing for continued knowledge exchange, remote case discussions, and future opportunities for visiting faculty and trainees. My own learnings—particularly in resource-adapted IR, procedural creativity, and global health collaboration—will directly enhance my practice and teaching when I return home.
Ultimately, the project aims to advance sustainable IR capacity in Uganda, improve patient access to life-saving minimally invasive treatments, and contribute to a model of global radiology partnership that continues long after this trip.
Our trip was filled with impactful moments, including the patients we treated, the IR doctors, nurses, and technologists we assisted, and the experiences we had.
