Student internships: Maria Detoraki

Maria Detoraki is a fourth-year medical student at the European University Cyprus. She completed her CIRSE student internship at the Uppsala University Hospital in Uppsala, Sweden.

By Maria Detoraki

During the summer, I had the privilege of visiting the Uppsala University Hospital (Akademiska sjukhuset) for an internship in the Interventional Radiology Department.

The month I spent there was one of the best clinical experiences I have ever had. I was exposed to procedures that I had only read about or that were completely new to me, and that I have grown to love. These include liver ablations, nephrostomies, drainages, biopsies, transarterial chemoebolizations (TACE), transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS), and selective radiation therapy (SIRT) procedures. I was impressed by the immediate impact they have on patient care and the fact that despite being complex, when explained well, their steps are structured and clear. I was exposed not only to science but also to the spirit of teamwork, and I realized that these procedures need a well-organized team to be effective.

Maria Detoraki.

Observing a procedure during my internship.

I cannot thank the whole interventional radiology department enough for the hospitality and generosity they showed during my time there. I would like to personally thank my CIRSE supervisor, Associate Professor Charlotte Ebeling Barbier, for providing me with the chance to be a small part of this clinic and for advising and mentoring. Special thanks to Dr. Erik Lofblad, Dr. Ulf Johnson, and Dr. Marijela Bosnjak for their guidance and assistance, for tolerating my constant shadowing during the day, and for never hesitating to let me observe and learn at their side despite being very busy. Also, I would like to thank Dr. Allina Dimopoulou Creusen and Dr. Lars-Gunnar Eriksson as well as Dr. Par Dahlman, Dr. Par Gerwins, and Dr. Dilaver Arafat for answering my questions and being eager to help.

I would also like to thank the resident doctors, especially Dr. Jakob Berggren, Dr. Cecilia Geddes, and Dr. Siri Forsberg, who gave me private radiology lessons and acted as peer teachers, as well as the nursing staff, who showed me around and helped me adapt.

Uppsala University Hospital.

Last but not least, I am grateful to CIRSE for the opportunity to be a part of the student internship program that allowed me to have access to such an amazing world.

Thank you again for welcoming me into such a dynamic and inspiring department. I was introduced not just to interventional radiology but also came to understand the essence of teamwork and collaboration.

I will carry these lessons and experiences with me into my future journey in medicine.