Student internships: Alexandra Galiová

Alexandra Galiová is a fourth-year medical student at the Palacky University Olomouc in Czech Republic.

By Alexandra Galiová

Over the summer I had the opportunity to complete a month-long internship at the Kantonsspital Winterthur (KSW) in Switzerland. It felt like the perfect opportunity to bridge my growing academic interest and deep intrigue for the field of interventional radiology with real clinical experience. Being immersed directly in the daily operations of the department allowed me to connect classroom concepts with hands-on medical practice from my very first day.

The clinical portion of my time was split between the angio suite and the hybrid OR, where I observed complex interventions and provided support. Engaging directly with the medical team during these cases offered a clear window into the sophisticated, ever-evolving nature of modern interventional medicine.

The sheer variety of cases I encountered was incredible. I was exposed to an extensive array of advanced IR treatments, ranging from essential vascular access and supportive care like PICC lines and drainages to complex endovascular reconstructions including percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), thrombectomy, stent placements or even stent graft placements including EVAR. Alongside core endovascular interventions, my exposure extended to targeted oncological and specialized therapies like embolization, radio- and cryoablations, and vertebroplasties, as well as diagnostic imaging cases such as lymphangiography, highlighting the diverse clinical scope of the discipline.

Beyond the technical execution of each treatment, I was deeply impressed by the collaborative culture within the hospital. Tackling tough clinical cases became markedly more efficient because of the open dialogue between different departments. This environment provided a fantastic learning experience, showing me exactly how interdisciplinary communication shapes modern medicine.

The hospital organised great teaching sessions specifically for students, which I attended throughout my stay. A major milestone was presenting a case I had been tracking, directly to a couple of the doctors at the department. Diving into the details and researching the literature significantly strengthened both my medical understanding and my confidence presenting clinical cases.

The consultants, residents, and nurses went out of their way to ensure I felt as part of the team from my very first day. Everyone was approachable and happy to answer any questions I had, offering a step-by-step explanation of every procedure, material choices, and how they built each patient’s care strategy.

Winterthur

Me at the hospital

A special thank you goes to Dr. med. Philippe Aubert and Dr. med. Irene Winzeler-Jörger for their support and supervision during my placement. I would also like to thank the rest of the IR team for their steady support and for taking the time to address every inquiry.

I highly appreciate the opportunity provided by CIRSE. The placement exceeded my expectations, offering excellent practical experience that has significantly contributed to my professional confidence and clarity about future career in medicine.