{"id":238780,"date":"2025-12-15T11:51:27","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T16:51:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=238780"},"modified":"2025-12-15T11:51:27","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T16:51:27","slug":"with-uconns-help-zambias-first-radiology-residency-transforms-into-a-medical-leader-in-southern-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2025\/12\/with-uconns-help-zambias-first-radiology-residency-transforms-into-a-medical-leader-in-southern-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"With UConn\u2019s Help, Zambia\u2019s First Radiology Residency Transforms into a Medical Leader in Southern Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"

In 2019, Zambia had only seven radiologists\u2014and no training program\u2014for a population of 19 million. <\/em><\/p>\n

In 2021, UConn School of Medicine radiologist Dr. Jill Wruble<\/a> helped develop the didactic curriculum for the country\u2019s first radiology residency, launching GlobalRadZambia<\/a> (GRadZ), an international collaborative that brings radiologists together to teach, mentor, and build community. Since then, GRadZ has supported the residency through virtual instruction, periodic on-site teaching, and efforts to strengthen diagnostic capacity, including helping programs acquire essential equipment.<\/em><\/p>\n

By 2023, the impact was clear. Twelve new radiologists had graduated\u2014more than doubling the national workforce\u2014and Zambia had begun training physicians from three neighboring countries without radiology programs.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWatching these physicians discover the potential of radiology to improve patient care\u2014and reshape the region\u2019s future through hard-earned skill and determination\u2014has enriched my life,\u201d Wruble says.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Here, she describes her experience with the program, and the remarkable success it’s enjoyed.<\/em><\/p>\n

Veronica, GlobalRadZambia, and the Making of Zambia\u2019s First Radiology Residency<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Standing
Zambia’s University Teaching Hospital’s Dr. Veronica Sunkuta Sichizya speaking (Image Courtesy of GlobalRadZambia).<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Regal in bright chitenge, Dr. Veronica Sunkuta Sichizya moves purposefully along the narrow paths winding through crowded, open-air courtyards at University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka. I walk beside her. We pass families crouching on the ground, mothers with children swathed to their backs, keeping vigil outside the wards day and night. Veronica has served these people for decades. The weight of that responsibility has only strengthened her resolve.<\/p>\n

\"Exterior
1,600 bed University Teaching Hospital is located in Zambia’s capital Lusaka (Image Courtesy of GlobalRadZambia).<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Veronica grew up one of fifteen children, raised by a father who insisted that all his children be educated. She completed her medical degree at the University of Zambia School of Medicine and later pursued advanced radiology training in South Africa, along with her neurosurgeon husband. She then returned to Zambia because her family was there and because serving her community mattered to her.<\/p>\n

\"University
University Teaching Hospital ward in Lusaka, Zambia (Image Courtesy of GlobalRadZambia).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For decades, she had been the country\u2019s radiologist-general, reading studies of chronic HIV and TB, complex trauma, and advanced cancers. She coaxed dilapidated machines back to life, working during the days and late into the nights. Her stamina and purpose, grounded in faith, never wavered.<\/p>\n

Zambia\u2019s First Radiology Residency<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2019, despite an unrelenting workload, unreliable equipment, and inconsistent support, Veronica launched Zambia\u2019s first radiology residency. It began with a few trainees (called \u201cregistrars\u201d), no colleagues or subspecialists, no curriculum, little structure, and no teaching files. In its earliest months, the program partnered with Dr. Michael Potchen, neuroradiology professor at the University of Rochester, who helped begin building the curriculum and teaching files. Many doubted the program would survive. But the talent and drive of the registrars carried it forward.<\/p>\n

Later, GlobalRadZambia (GRadZ) joined the effort\u2014an international teaching collaborative that connects volunteer radiologists from the U.S. and abroad with Zambia\u2019s trainees to provide structured didactics, case-based teaching, and mentorship. GRadZ became the program\u2019s external academic partner, helping strengthen the residency\u2019s educational foundation and expand the support available to Veronica and her team.<\/p>\n

Our partnership began with a 2021 email\u2014polite but urgent\u2014from Dr. Mutale Chanda, then a junior registrar. She was convinced that the residency needed consistent didactics and a formal curriculum. Having audited the program I created for Tanzania\u2019s residency at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, she knew Zambia needed a similar structure.<\/p>\n

I asked the only question that mattered: Would her team be fully engaged? Mutale answered immediately and unequivocally: \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

I meant the requirement literally. Each resident would sign a multi-part pledge: to arrive on time, introduce themselves, keep their Zoom cameras on, participate in discussions, and, afterward, have one resident send a thank-you note on behalf of the group. Simple, but indispensable.<\/p>\n

And GlobalRadZambia began.<\/p>\n

\"Dr.<\/a>
Dr. Jill Wruble celebrated by residents in Zambia<\/div>
GlobalRadZambia<\/div>
Dr. Jill Wruble with residents in training and radiologists in Zambia (Image Courtesy of GlobalRadZambia).<\/div><\/div>\"Dr.<\/a>
Dr. Veronica Sunkuta Sichizya leading a class in Zambia<\/div>
GlobalRadZambia<\/div>
Dr. Veronica Sunkuta Sichizya leading a class at University Teaching Hospital in Zambia (Image Courtesy of GlobalRadZambia).<\/div><\/div>\"Ultrasound<\/a>
Ultrasound learning session at UTH in Zambia<\/div>
GlobalRadZambia<\/div>
Ultrasound learning session at UTH in Zambia (Image Courtesy of GlobalRadZambia).<\/div><\/div>\"Dr.<\/a>
Dr. Jill Wruble with radiologists and radiology residents<\/div>
GlobalRadZambia<\/div>
Dr. Jill Wruble of UConn Health with radiologists and radiology residents of University Teaching Hospital during her November 2025 visit to Zambia (Image Courtesy of GlobalRadZambia).<\/div><\/div>\"Dr.<\/a>
Dr. Jill Wruble poses for a welcome photo at the airport in Zambia<\/div>
GlobalRadZambia<\/div>
Dr. Jill Wruble poses for a welcome photo at the airport in Zambia in November 2025.<\/div><\/div>\"Ultrasound<\/a>
Ultrasound learning session at UTH in Zambia<\/div>
GlobalRadZambia<\/div>
Ultrasound learning session at UTH in Zambia (Image Courtesy of GlobalRadZambia).<\/div><\/div>\"Technologists<\/a>
Technologists Dressed in scrubs and smiling<\/div>
GlobalRadZambia<\/div>
Head ultrasound technologist Susan Henson of UConn Health (left) with other volunteering technologists Danielle Brown and Michelle Cunningham (Image Courtesy of GlobalRadZambia).<\/div><\/div>\"Ultrasound<\/a>
Ultrasound education lesson for residents in Zambia - students practicing<\/div>
GlobalRadZambia<\/div>
Ultrasound education in Zambia.<\/div><\/div>\"Ultrasound<\/a>
Ultrasound training in Zambia underway with American experts.<\/div>
GlobalRadZambia<\/div>
Ultrasound education training in Zambia.<\/div><\/div>\"Ultrasound<\/a>
Ultrasound training in Zambia.<\/div>
GlobalRadZambia<\/div>
Ultrasound education training in Zambia.<\/div><\/div>\"Happy<\/a>
Happy and smiling Zambia doctors awaiting arrival of American doctors.<\/div>
GlobalRadZambia<\/div>
University Teaching Hospital radiologists awaiting arrival of volunteering American radiology experts at Lusaka airport in Zambia (Image Courtesy of GlobalRadZambia).<\/div><\/div>\"Warm<\/a>
Warm welcome of volunteering American radiologists to Zambia<\/div>
GlobalRadZambia<\/div>
Warm welcome of volunteering American radiologists to Zambia by UTH radiologists<\/div><\/div>\"Dr.<\/a>
Dr. Jill Wruble smiling happily with Veronica and family<\/div>
GlobalRadZambia<\/div>
UConn's Dr. Jill Wruble with Dr. Veronica Sunkuta Sichizya and her family (Image Courtesy of GlobalRadZambia).<\/div><\/div>\"Handheld<\/a>
Handheld ultrasounds donated by the company Butterfly.<\/div>
GlobalRadZambia<\/div>
Handheld ultrasounds donated by the company Butterfly to the new residency program.<\/div><\/div>\"Dr.<\/a>
Dr. Juliet Mulopwe in bright pink dress with American experts<\/div>
GlobalRadZambia<\/div>
UTH department head Dr. Juliet Mulopwe (center) with American contingent, upon arrival.\nFrom left to right: UConn's Susan Henson, Sonographer\nDanielle Brown, Sonographer, Dr. Juliet Mulowpe,\nMichelle Cunningham, Sonographer, Jon Vaccaro MD, Radiologist\n(Image Courtesy of GlobalRadZambia).<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>