Abid Irshad, M.B.B.S., and J. Bayne Selby Jr., M.D., Travel to Chile through International Education Program

OAK BROOK, Ill. (October 1, 2015) — Radiologists Abid Irshad, M.B.B.S., and J. Bayne Selby Jr., M.D., will bring their medical expertise to Chile as part of the International Visiting Professor Program offered by the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). The program fosters international relations among radiology societies to assist with medical education in developing and newly developed nations.

Dr. Irshad, director of breast imaging and professor of radiology at Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston, and Dr. Selby, director of interventional radiology and professor of radiology at MUSC, will be joined by Evan C. Unger, M.D., professor of radiology and biomedical engineering at the University of Arizona Cancer Center as they embark October 3 on the 16-day trip. They will spend their visit giving presentations and teaching intensive seminars to radiology residents, as well as attending conferences and meetings.

The program is mutually beneficial. The visiting team of radiologists informs local doctors and hospitals about the latest advances in diagnostic and therapeutic radiology. In turn, the visiting professors experience firsthand the obstacles faced by medical professionals in the host countries.

"I consider the RSNA International Visiting Professor Program a great two-way learning tool," Dr. Irshad said. "It not only offers a great opportunity for the radiologists in the developing countries to directly and interactively learn from subspecialists from the United States, but also provides an opportunity for the U.S. physicians to learn and understand the issues and dynamics of healthcare systems in other countries."

"To me this program has a great value because I have previously worked as a radiologist in a developing country for 10 years where there were limited resources for breast imaging," Dr. Irshad continued. "I am excited to incorporate my previous experience and perspective into my teaching."

The visiting radiologists will be teaching at local hospitals in Santiago, Chile, and lecturing at the annual Chilean Society of Radiology meeting.

The International Visiting Professor Program was founded in 1986 and is administered by RSNA's Committee on International Relations and Education. This program is supported by Fujifilm Medical Systems.