Show Notes
Access to quality healthcare is still out of reach for millions worldwide — particularly in low- and middle-income countries and underserved rural areas. One of the biggest drivers of this gap is a shortage of trained healthcare workers, a challenge made worse by workforce migration, limited local training opportunities, and uneven distribution of resources.
In this episode of Healthcare Perspectives, host Hagen Weissapfel, Director of Education and Customer Services for Global Access to Care at Siemens Healthineers, is joined by Melissa Culp, Executive Vice President of Member Engagement at the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), and Dr. Geoff Ibbotson, surgeon and Executive Director of the Global Surgery Foundation (GSF). Together, they explore how education and training — scaled through digital innovation and local partnerships — can transform access to care for underserved communities.
From stories of practicing in isolation in remote Nepal, to advancing imaging education in Malawi, to building global learning platforms like SURGHub, Melissa and Geoff share how sustainable, in-country solutions can empower healthcare professionals, break down systemic barriers, and save lives.
What you’ll learn in this episode: Why education is one of the most sustainable forms of impact in global health How digital learning platforms like SURGHub are connecting providers in over 200 countries The role of local leadership and trust in building effective training programs How public awareness campaigns can inspire the next generation of medical imaging professionals The life-or-death consequences of gaps in surgical technology access — and how training can close them Why small, targeted investments can yield measurable improvements in health outcomes
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