In late 2025, Radiology Partners (RP) returned to Ghana, Africa for an international service trip with a shared commitment to partnership, sustainability and service.
Building on a long-standing collaboration with RAD-AID International and the support provided during RP’s 2024 trip to Ghana, this year’s mission expanded in both scope and impact – bringing together clinical and support teammates to serve hospitals, schools and entrepreneurs across Accra, Kumasi and neighboring communities.
Dr. Arthy Saravanan, RP Associate Chief Medical Officer for Recruitment, explained the purpose was twofold: to continue meaningful work already underway and to create a broader, more lasting impact. “We wanted to create a larger impact this time, so we took a larger team with us, both on the clinical and the support teammate side.”
Strengthening Clinical Care Through Collaboration
A 17-member clinical team of RP radiologists and technologists served four hospitals across two cities, working alongside local physicians, residents and technologists. The focus extended beyond service delivery to education, mentorship and systems that support long-term quality care.
For many participants, returning to Ghana was essential to ensuring sustainability. “We don’t want to just go into a place, give and then leave – leaving them back where they started,” said Dr. Arlene Richardson, musculoskeletal radiologist. “Building on the previous trips definitely shows how this outreach can be sustainable and have long-term impact.”
Throughout the week, RP clinicians shared hands-on skills, developed reporting templates, refined imaging techniques and collaborated on complex cases. The enthusiasm and engagement of local trainees stood out.
“They’re very eager to learn,” said Dr. Leonardo Freitas, neuroradiologist. “It was priceless to me. I’ll never forget this experience.”
RP teammates came together to ensure patients received needed care – sharing equipment, supplies and expertise. Dr. Shambhavi Venkataraman, breast imaging radiologist, recalled the first day in Ghana, when the RP clinical team planned to teach radiology fellows how to do biopsies. “We realized they have no equipment – they have no biopsy needles.” The RP team had brought supplies and was able to provide the needed biopsy equipment. “That just shows the RP spirit,” said Dr. Venkataraman. “We’re all like, ‘Your patients need them. You take them.’”
Investing in Education and Technology
Alongside the clinical mission, a team of four RP support teammates focused on expanding access to technology in local schools. Building on last year’s work, the team established new technology labs at two schools in Aboasa and Gyakiti and revisited a previously served site in Akwamufie to extend the life of existing equipment.
The work required creativity and flexibility, from refurbishing aging computers to adapting installations in real time. But the impact was immediate and visible. “When the kids come into the computer lab, playing these educational games, and smiling and crowding around one another in order to interact with technology on a level they weren’t able to before – that’s where you really feel like we’re doing something there,” said Scott Kozel, Systems Engineer.
Beyond the equipment, the team emphasized relationships, values and shared experience. “We didn’t just go there to complete a mission,” said Rebekah Thompson, Director of IT Portfolio Management, adding that the team embedded RP’s values – integrity, teamwork, excellence, service and accountability – into everything they did. “The relationships that we built, fostering ongoing collaboration and support, and then just the joy that was shared…having the ability to take the time out, to interact, to have fun, experience and engage with the kids was so meaningful. We’re touching so many lives.”
Empowering Entrepreneurs and Communities
A third group of RP leaders led an entrepreneurship master class in Accra, partnering with local business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. The sessions focused on practical skills – finance, marketing, communication and business sustainability – while honoring the deep connection between entrepreneurship and community impact.
Participants brought diverse backgrounds and strong ambitions, creating a highly collaborative learning environment. “They’re already entrepreneurs. They have thriving businesses,” said Jenny Benoit, Vice President of Practice Finance.
“Everything that they were doing had some connection to service in the community,” said Sarah Mahlstedt, Vice President of Strategic Finance and Operational Systems. “Even something that just felt like basic commerce always was connected back to the community. So being able to learn more and add whatever value we could to their businesses, it really did feel like we were contributing to the broader Accra community and delivering something of value.”
For many RP participants, the experience reinforced the broader purpose. “These types of missions remind us of the importance of service,” said Jâlie Cohen, chief human resources officer.
A Lasting Ripple Effect
For the RP team, the trip to Ghana reflected the power of partnership grounded in humility, expertise and shared purpose. “I’ve never been more proud of being in RP than when I went to Ghana,” said Dr. Frank Castellano, Associate Chief Medical Officer of Clinical Operations. “That collective group of people going with the mentality of just being there to help and teach was really special.”
Learn more about RP’s collaboration with RAD-AID International, including the 2024 service trip to Ghana, 2024 service trip to Guyana, South America, 2023 service trip to Zanzibar, Tanzania, and RP and RAD-AID’s global health partnership formed in 2020. See more Rad Reach features, including Dr. Heather Tauschek’s efforts in Alaska and Dr. Arlene Richardson’s service with RAD-AID Tanzania.
Radiology Partners, through its affiliated practices, is a leading physician-led and physician-owned technology-enabled radiology practice in the U.S. Learn more about our mission, values and practice principles at RadPartners.com. For the latest news from RP, follow along on our blog and on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Interested in learning about career opportunities? Visit our careers page.
