Radiology Global Health Leadership Track
Spencer B. Gay Radiology Resident International Education Program and Global Health Leadership Track
Mission & Vision
The Spencer B. Gay Radiology Resident International Education Program and Global Health Leadership Track (GHLT) is designed to cultivate future physician leaders in the field of radiology and global health. The mission of this program is to foster an enduring educational partnership between the UVA Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging and healthcare institutions in low- and middle-income countries, with the goal of supporting sustainable radiology capacity building through education, training, research, and collaborative exchange.
Our vision is to establish a sustainable global health education elective that prepares UVA radiology residents to lead with integrity, service, and excellence in global health. Through longitudinal, reciprocal engagement with our global partners, the program aims to support shared goals in radiology education, research, and capacity development that benefit both residents-in-training and partner communities.
History
In more than 20 years overseeing the UVA Radiology Residency program, Dr. Spencer B. Gay went above and beyond to develop both the program and the residents. The SBG Resident International Education Program was born from a growing interest in international work among UVA radiology residents as well as a desire on the part of lead faculty for residents to have the opportunity to “give back” on a global scale.
In 2013, several global health initiatives coalesced across the department at once. Around the time Spencer B. Gay was returning from a service trip to Cambodia, resident Rebecca Gerber received a scholarship from the American College of Radiology to do international work in Rwanda. At the same time, Department Chair Dr. Alan Matsumoto was also working to provide international education to a group in Kuwait.
When Dr. Gay announced his retirement in 2014, Dr. Matsumoto saw the opportunity to create an enduring program for residents to fulfill this international education need. Ultimately, this combination resulted in the creation of the Spencer B. Gay Radiology Resident International Education Program and Global Health Leadership Track. While the program is still evolving, the mission to build sustainable ongoing relationships with international partners is firmly established.
People
From left to right: Professor and Interim Chair Cree Gaskin, MD; GHLT residents Julia Kariher, MD, Joshua Hunsaker, MD, Vatsal Lal, MD, Olivia Richardson, MD, Jineet Patel, MD; and Assistant Professor and GHLT Program Director Natalie Cain-Wisdom, MD, MPH.
Current Residents
Olivia Richardson, MD
R4, IR-Integrated
Julia Kariher, MD
R3, Diagnostic Radiology
Vatsal Lal, MD
R3, Diagnostic Radiology
Joshua Hunsaker, MD
R2, Diagnostic Radiology
Jineet Patel, MD
R2, Diagnostic Radiology
Program Leadership
Natalie Cain-Wisdom, MD, MPH
Program Director
Assistant Professor of Radiology and Medical Imaging
wyf5nx@uvahealth.org
Program Details
This program is designed to promote reciprocal learning among UVA radiology residents and partner institution trainees and faculty through shared educational experiences grounded in local context and priorities. UVA residents gain exposure to a broader spectrum of pathology and clinical decision-making, learning to adapt imaging strategies thoughtfully in settings with varied resource availability while developing skills in creativity, efficiency, and responsible resource stewardship. In parallel, trainees at partner institutions engage in collaborative training in diagnostic imaging and image-guided procedures aligned with community needs and sustainable practice, with access to shared educational resources such as review articles, web-based learning modules, and virtual case discussions. Collaborative research initiatives further promote shared learning and scholarly development, reinforcing the program’s educational objectives through locally relevant research and mentorship.
The Spencer B. Gay Radiology Resident International Education Program and Global Health Leadership Track is part of the larger GHLT offered through the UVA Center for Global Health. Radiology residents collaborate with other GHLT residents from 12 different departments in the School of Medicine, providing ample opportunities to share perspectives and exchange ideas. The track is designed for second- to fourth-year diagnostic and interventional radiology residents interested in global health initiatives and the impact and applications of diagnostic imaging and image-guided interventions in low- and middle-income countries.
Applications are accepted from UVA 1st year Radiology Residents (PGY2) in February-March of every year. Up to two residents per class are selected. The track consists of global health and clinical radiology training culminating in an extended international clinical rotation for radiology residents at one of our partner institutions. (For more information, please contact Jordain Webb.)
For more information about our Radiology Residency program and available tracks, see UVA Radiology Residency.
Year 1 (R2-3)
- GHLT didactic activities
- Ultrasound proficiency rotation and workshop
- 2-week international clinical elective in partner institution
Year 2 (R3-4)
- GHLT didactic activities
- 2- to 4-week international clinical and/or research elective in partner institution (R4)
UVA-based activities and courses are provided by the UVA Center for Global Health’s Global Health Leadership Track (GHLT) throughout the duration of the program. There is a required two-week didactic course, “Global Health Policy and Practice”, for which dedicated time off from clinical radiology rotations is provided. There is also an optional course that radiology residents can attend called “Diseases of Burden in Low and Middle Income Countries”. Additional program-wide activities include monthly journal clubs, quarterly round table dinners with invited speakers, and monthly international rounds (attendance at activities is encouraged but optional due to conflicts with residency schedule). Radiology-specific activities include virtual didactic and case-based conferences between UVA faculty/residents and partner institutions. Radiology residents travel for clinical +/- research rotations for 2 weeks in R2 or R3 year, with the option for a second trip during R4 year that can extend up to 4 weeks. Radiology residents currently travel to Uganda and our newer site, Tanzania.
The UVA Center for Global Health’s Global Health Leadership Track (GHLT) is a program available to residents in the Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, Radiology and Emergency Medicine Residency Programs. The GHLT prepares physicians to become leaders in global health practice, research, policy and education.
If you are a current first-year UVA Diagnostic Radiology Resident interested in the Radiology Global Health Leadership Track, please contact:
Jordain Webb
Radiology Residency Programs Administrator
Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging
Box 800170
University of Virginia Health System
Charlottesville, VA 22908
Phone: 434-924-9377
Fax: 434-924-8698
E-mail: jw7xg@virginia.edu