Virtual Radiologic Partners with Doctors Without Borders/MSF to Deliver Expert Patient Care to Underserved Countries

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Virtual Radiologic (vRad), a technology-enabled radiology practice, announced a global charitable initiative today to provide pro bono diagnostic radiology services to the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).

Doctors Without Borders/MSF delivers emergency medical care and other assistance to people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect or catastrophe in 80 countries. Through the partnership with MSF, vRad will provide the expertise of their 400+ radiologists, next-generation technology and operational skills to two critical projects in MSF's organization in Nukus, Uzbekistan, and Boguila, Central African Republic.

"Being chosen by MSF to provide professional radiology services for regions that are experiencing healthcare delivery challenges is extremely gratifying," said Rob Kill, vRad's Chief Executive Officer. "We are privileged to have this opportunity with MSF to improve people's lives where resources we sometimes take for granted simply do not exist."

The vRad network of radiologists will support MSF's mission in Uzbekistan, a country experiencing a large outbreak of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) with devastating results to local and even global populations as tuberculosis spreads. The MSF teams recently installed a new digital imaging system to improve diagnosis of MDR-TB patients. Combined with the professional services provided by vRad radiologists, this new diagnostic capacity in MSF facilities will help address this public health crisis.

"Collaboration with vRad will improve access to specialized clinical support for patients in regions with limited access to medical resources," said Saskia Spijker, Radiographer with MSF. "Radiological consultation has the potential to improve the quality of patient management in areas where MSF works, and acts as an educational tool for local referrers. MSF looks forward to furthering access to teleradiology and specialized clinical support for underserved populations with the support of vRad."

MSF will also be installing a new digital imaging system in Boguila, Central African Republic, a country where access to medical care is more limited than any other place in the world and the healthcare system has completely collapsed due to continuing violence. The new system and services provided by MSF and vRad will improve general medical care for both adults and children.

"We are proud to partner with MSF and facilitate our radiologists participating in such a worthwhile mission," said Brad Snyder, M.D., vRad Medical Director. "vRad's technology-enabled process makes this important work possible. Our outreach can now transcend the high-tech medical environment we often take for granted to touch even the most remote corners of the world to improve medical care. It's an example of the many personal and professional opportunities available to radiologists who are part of our practice."

About vRad

Virtual Radiologic (vRad) is a technology-enabled national radiology practice working in partnership with local radiologists and hospitals to optimize radiology's pivotal role in patient care. vRad's more than 400 radiologists serve 2,700+ facilities, reading 7 million studies annually. Delivering access to extensive subspecialty coverage, vRad contributes to improved quality of patient care. And with its next-generation technology, vRad enhances productivity, helping to lower the overall cost of care while expediting time to accurate diagnosis and treatment. For more information, visit www.vrad.com.

About Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)

Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) is an international independent medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid in 80 countries to people whose survival is threatened by violence, negligence or catastrophe, primarily due to armed conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare.

SOURCE Virtual Radiologic