UNC Global Radiology, a RAD-AID Chapter, COVID-19 Response
- UNC Global Radiology and RAD-AID Kenya leadership and volunteers continue to support IR curriculum with weekly RAD-AID IR Program webinars. Additionally, University of Nairobi faculty and residents are participating with UNC Department of Radiology case conferences. In July 2020, a joint educational day web conference will be hosted with the Kenyan Association of Radiology.
- UNC Global Radiology and RAD-AID Malawi leadership and volunteers wrote a four-part COVID-19 lecture series tailored specifically for our colleagues in Lilongwe. Also, the team sent funds so that PPE, bleach, and soap could be purchased locally for our radiology colleagues at Kamuzu Central Hospital.
- Assistant Professor Melissa Culp has consulted on World Health Organization (WHO) country support goals throughout the COVID-19 pandemic through her work as UNC Global Radiology Director and RAD-AID International Chief Operating Officer. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, RAD-AID is assisting the WHO country support goals of promoting the appropriate use of radiology in COVID-19 clinical management and providing guidance on safe management of patients.
Travel Restriction Contingency Plan
With travel restricted currently to protect the health and safety of faculty, staff, and trainees at UNC, in Malawi, and in Kenya, UNC Global Radiology is maintaining our strong global partnerships via distance education and collaborative communication:
Malawi and Kenya Radiology Capacity Development
- Katrina McGinty, John Campbell, Benson Langdon, and staff technologists Andrew Woodward and Heather Jordan, continue to provide distance education case reviews to learners in Malawi.
- Robert Dixon, Jessica Stewart, Clayton Commander, and Peter Bream are giving webinars to radiology residents in Kenya and in other RAD-AID IR Program locations.
- Yueh Lee collaborates remotely with the UNC Department of Surgery on novel methods to assess cerebrovascular accidents at Kamuzu Central Hospital.
- Sheryl Jordan provides global health mentorship to UNC medical students and serves as a mentor for Dr. Emmanuel Banda, our Malawian colleague in radiology training at Stellenbosch University.
Other Initiatives
- Brian Hyslop and staff technologist, Lauren Fuller, are giving support on protocols and about MR safety for technologists and physicians in RAD-AID Tanzania.
- Cherie Kuzmiak will be contributing distance lectures for RAD-AID Ethiopia’s burgeoning breast imaging program.
UNC Department of Radiology – Global Health Education
- In lieu of international travel electives for 2020, the approved global health residents were offered a global health educational intensive based on the RAD-AID Certificate of Proficiency in Global Health Radiology curriculum. We are pleased that Watson George will be completing this elective during the 2020-2021 academic year.
- Additionally, Abiola Femi-abodunde and John Lilly were accepted into the 2020 RAD-AID Certificate of Proficiency in Global Health Radiology.
- UNC Department of Radiology program directors and administration are moving forward with the creation of a Global Health Leadership Pathway, which is an applied for residency track with targeted curriculum and project integration for residents of the UNC Department of Radiology. Structured education on global public health, epidemiology, access implications, and related methodologies will give our residents an edge as future leaders in the field.
As we know from our current situation, the world is increasingly connected. We are part of global health everyday—our images and procedures are vital to patient diagnosis, treatment, and care. Thanks to the UNC Department of Radiology’s faculty, staff, and trainees for maintaining our strong global community and partnerships.
UNC Global Radiology Fundraiser
During February, Dr. Smith launched a campaign to support UNC Global Radiology, a RAD-AID Chapter, via the Global Radiology Initiatives fund. As of column submission date, we have raised $15,000, which is a very strong foundation. Donations given here and through MAKE A GIFT icons on most UNC Radiology website pages with the Radiology Global Health Initiatives fund selected directly support our Department’s efforts in global public health.
Many thanks to Lisa Ussery for her steadfast support and help with this initiative. Updates will be provided here when Global Radiology Initiatives monies are used so that we can see the progress that we are making together.
Creating a global radiology community through education, collaboration, and innovation
Please see my extra feature on Interprofessional Collaboration within UNC Global Radiology, a RAD-AID Chapter, for perspectives from UNC Department of Radiology volunteers supporting our partnership with the University of Nairobi in Kenya. In the next edition of Images, an interprofessional piece based on our Malawi partnership will be included.
Thank you,
Melissa Culp, M.Ed, RT(R)(MR)
Director, UNC Global Radiology, a RAD-AID Chapter
Clinical Assistant Professor of Allied Health Sciences, Division of Radiologic Science
Clinical Assistant Professor of Radiology