Krystal Archer-Arroyo focuses intently on the screen before her, looking for signs of kidney trauma. She narrates as she moves the transceiver (the device that both transmits and receives ultrasound energy), the radiologists clustered around her trying hard not to invade her space as they lean in for a better view of the images on the small screen.
It's not just another day at Grady Memorial Hospital, where Dr. Archer-Arroyo is an associate professor in the Division of Emergency and Trauma Imaging as well as the associate chief of radiology. On this cold day in February, Dr. Archer-Arroyo is giving a series of master classes in ultrasonography for radiologists at Kyiv City Clinical Hospital #18 in Ukraine.
Dr. Archer-Arroyo speaks English, pausing for Yurii Antonenko to translate her words into Ukrainian. Dr. Antonenko is the chief of the Department of Radiology at Kyiv City Clinical Hospital #18 and the director of RAD-AID Ukraine.
The two radiologists first connected not long after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. After struggling to provide care for the citizens and soldiers injured by bombs along with the patients experiencing strokes and infectious diseases, Dr. Antonenko wrote to the Radiologoical Society of North America (RSNA) to ask for help.
What his hospital really needed, the 27 year-old chief of radiology wrote, was someone to teach them imaging protocols for blast and penetrating trauma cases, something the radiologists in the once peaceful city of Kyiv had not previously encountered. Having extensive experience with both as a radiologist at Grady Hospital, Atlanta's only Level 1 trauma center, Dr. Archer-Arroyo stepped right up.
Dr. Archer-Arroyo delivered a series of lectures on imaging and clinical interpretation guidance over Zoom and then arranged to visit for more hands-on training.
Dr. Antonenko, wrote movingly about his experience with the war and also about Dr. Archer-Arroyo's help in a letter published by RSNA.
Training and the partnership grew from there. During her first trip to Ukraine in September 2023, Dr. Archer-Arroyo led training on more domestic matters, including barium enemas. During the next trip in 2024, she covered double-contrast upper GI fluoroscopy techniques because the Kyiv hospital had neither contrast nor the effervescent crystals used here to distend the esophagus and stomach.
During this trip, Dr. Archer-Arroyo begins each day with an hourlong lecture. She follows that with onsite teaching during both inpatient and outpatient exams. She has prepared for five different topics:
- Monday: Basics of Ultrasound Diagnostics: Principles and Protocols
- Tuesday: Liver and Gallbladder
- Wednesday: Ultrasound Diagnostics of Kidney Pathology
- Thursday: Pelvic Ultrasound for Women
- Friday: Vascular Ultrasound
Dr. Archer-Arroyo's experience reflects the split lives Ukranians live because of the war. "Kyiv is a wonderful city filled with beautiful architecture and delicious food! It's a wintry wonderland because it has snowed several times."
More importantly, she says, "The people are so kind, smart and greatly appreciate any assistance, especially when it comes to improving medical care for their patients."
This despite the nightly drone attacks and ruthless bombings, regular reminders that while the nation remains under siege, its radiologists are still on the job, committed to providing the best patient care possible.