Successful Completion of RSNA's Global Learning Center in Ecuador
Hospital Metropolitano improved access to education in cardiothoracic and MSK radiology
The RSNA Global Learning Center (GLC) at Hospital Metropolitano in Quito, Ecuador recently wrapped-up its work as the first GLC site in South America.
The GLC leveraged RSNA’s educational resources to support the work of radiology training at the hospital, which is located in a densely populated urban area of the capitol city. The curriculum had a focus on musculoskeletal (MSK) and cardiothoracic imaging. It also helped the staff in their efforts to provide radiologists working and learning in Ecuador’s more remote areas with access to augmented radiology education.
“We wanted to use the knowledge and resources RSNA could provide to bring this great opportunity to our small country in South America,” said GLC site director G. Elizabeth Zamora, MD. “Having the visiting radiologist professors from RSNA organize conferences and hands-on learning opportunities, not only for the staff at the hospital but for radiologists from the city and surrounding areas, was tremendously helpful, especially for residents.”
Dr. Zamora is deputy chief of imaging services at Hospital Metropolitano. She is also a member of the RSNA Regional Committee for Latin America (RCLA).
Joining Dr. Zamora on the GLC team at Hospital Metropolitano were Christian Armijos, MD, chief of the Department of Radiology, and radiologists Santiago Vallejo, MD, Fatima Maria Egas, MD, Fernanda Avalos, MD, and Sonia Lucía Gomez, MD.
Sonia Liliana Betancourt Cuellar, MD, from the U.S.-based GLC team echoed Dr. Zamora’s comments about the GLC’s work to support radiology resident education.
“Technology and educational resources encouraged residents’ curiosity and ability to develop several research projects. For example, the use of 3D printing to create anatomic models of different pathologies was helpful to our visual learners,” Dr. Betancourt Cuellar said. “Additionally, access to these resources facilitated the participation of radiologists and residents in educational projects that were successfully presented at international radiology meetings, including RSNA 2024.”
Jennifer Nicholas, MD, and G. Elizabeth Zamora, MD, the RSNA and onsite program directors received a certificate of completion from RSNA at the International Programs Reception during RSNA 2024.
RSNA provided support for a new radiology classroom at the hospital that included a new overhead projector system. To support the continued education using 3D models, the location also received a new 3D printer.
The cutting-edge technology provided was a much-needed boost to radiologic education in the hospital. “With the new infrastructure, we enjoyed hosting virtual and in-person classes, organizing international symposiums in Quito, and enabling residents to participate in global scientific meetings,” Dr. Armijos said. “The promotion of cutting-edge technologies, such as 3D printing and virtual reality, stands out as a transformative achievement.”
The Importance of Accessibility and Education Matching
According to Dr. Armijos one of the challenges for the GLC was that it had to bridge the gap between radiology professionals in developing countries like Ecuador and the advanced education and skills of the experts from the U.S.
“A key challenge was ensuring the accessibility and relevance of advanced radiological knowledge and technologies for professionals in a developing country context,” Dr. Armijos said. “The GLC successfully addressed this by tailoring its educational resources, supporting travel for international scientific events and fostering collaborations with experts like Dr. Jennifer Nicholas to introduce practical innovations like 3D printing.”
U.S.-based program director, Jennifer Nicholas, MD, MHA, MEd, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital also noted the challenges of communication. “At the beginning, we were challenged by coordinating schedules with all the busy health care professionals invested in the GLC,” Dr. Nicholas said. “We used a combination of in-person and virtual meetings to help us establish relationships and identify areas for achievement. We settled on using WhatsApp which is a great tool for communicating.”
The WhatsApp GLC Ecuador group was noted by several participants as the place where everyone will keep in touch, posting about upcoming educational opportunities and sharing international radiology society information and global conference updates. The group also plans to continue using WhatsApp to note the achievements of the residents, ask for consultations on challenging cases and seek help for progressing on research investigations.
“The extent of the bonds and connections made with well-known radiologists who brought not only their knowledge to the hospital staff and residents but also opened possibilities in investigation, sending our work to international congress as papers and posters,” Dr. Zamora said.
Other members of the RSNA team, in addition to Drs. Nicholas and Betancourt Cuellar, included Jorge Vidal, MD, from the Universities of Alabama and Puerto Rico; Martha Menchaca, MD, PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago; Jonathan Baker, MD, Washington University School of Medicine; Claudio Silva, MD, MBA, Clínica Alemana; Mario Moreno, MD, Emory University and Daniel Vargas, MD, University of Colorado.
The team’s dual-language capabilities enabled them to circumvent potential language barriers and make the material more accessible by delivering lectures in Spanish and English.
Elevating The Hospital’s Reputation
The partnership brought significant benefits to the Hospital Metropolitano, including enhanced educational resources for radiologists and residents, exposure to global radiology practices and the introduction of advanced technologies.
Additionally, the program’s focus on professional development has elevated the hospital’s reputation as a hub for radiological excellence in Ecuador. “The GLC program has provided the foundation to build a learning and teaching infrastructure in the radiology department and in the hospital,” Dr. Betancourt Cuellar said. “Now it is our opportunity to continue developing and strengthening this infrastructure.”
The partnership will ultimately benefit patient care in Quito and beyond. “Our work together will benefit patient care by equipping radiologists and residents with advanced imaging knowledge and techniques, enabling more accurate diagnoses and innovative treatment planning,” Dr. Armijos said. “The knowledge and skills gained through the GLC ensure that the improvements extend beyond Quito to other regions of Ecuador.”
Dr. Zamora agreed.
“Better education has resulted in better imaging diagnosis and better patient care in the city and throughout the country,” Dr. Zamora said. “I especially appreciate how residents got to see radiology as it is in more developed countries. They will keep working hard because they know now how much can be achieved. Without the support from RSNA none of this would be possible in our small country with such limited resources.”
For More Information
Learn more about the RSNA Global Learning Centers.
Read our previous story about the Global Learning Center at Hospital Metropolitano.
RSNA Global Learning Center Faculty for Hospital Metropolitano
RSNA GLC Team Members
Jennifer Nicholas, MD, MHA, MEd
Program Director
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
Jorge Vidal, MD
Universities of Alabama and Puerto Rico
Martha Menchaca, MD, PhD
University of Illinois at Chicago
Daniel Vargas, MD
University of Colorado
Sonia Liliana Betancourt Cuellar, MD
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Jonathan Baker, MD
Washington University School of Medicine
Claudio Silva, MD, MBA
Clínica Alemana
Mario Moreno, MD
Emory University
Hospital Metropolitano Team Members
G. Elizabeth Zamora, MD
GLC Site Director
Christian Armijos, MD
Santiago Vallejo, MD
Fátima Maria Egas, MD
Fernanda Avalos, MD
Sonia Lucía Gomez, MD