Jul 2016 Interview by Monica Velasco
Please tell us about the WFPI and how it was founded:
The World Federation of Pediatric Imaging was officially founded at the International Pediatric Radiology Congress in London, 2011, followingdiscussions among the leaders of the then existing four international societies: Society for Pediatric Radiology, European Society of Pediatric Radiology, Sociedad Latino-Americana de Radiologia Pediatrica and Asian Oceanic Society of Pediatric Radiology. Soon thereafter, the African Society of Pediatric Imaging was created and joined the group. Other national organizations have joined as well. The first five years were celebrated at the IPR 2016, in Chicago, with several activities dedicated to it. WFPI has been particularly active in the areas of outreach to underserved population, development of educational materials, website and social media postings and, more recently, radiation safety protection on an international basis.
What was your motivation in creating this amazing group?
There was a shared feeling for the need of an united platform for pediatric imaging organizations looking to address global challenges in pediatric imaging. As Past-President of the SPR and being committed to improve pediatric imaging, I was able to promote the dialogue and congregate colleagues around the world to create this organization.
Please tell us about the award you received, if there is anyone you’d like to give recognition to as well as how you felt upon receiving the award:
The Global Humanitarian Award was created by the American College of Radiology in 2015 and recognizes individuals or organizations that provide or increase access to quality radiologic services in underserved areas of the world. According to the organization, “The World Federation of Pediatric Imaging advances pediatric imaging education, provides training tools and impacts direct patient care by strengthening imaging initiatives. …The global advocate for pediatric imaging in low resource areas provides medical training and educational resources and has partnered with RAD-AID, Doctors Without Borders, the ACR Foundation and Imaging the World.” As WFPI Founding President, I went to Washington, DC, to receive the award; the honor should be shared with the Council of Directors, the many volunteer tele readers and committee members, not forgetting our General Director, Ms. Amanda Dehaye. We hope this honor will lead to further collaboration with other equal minded organizations.
