The World Federation of Pediatric Imaging (WFPI) is an international organization that provides a platform for pediatric radiology organizations united to address the challenges in global pediatric imaging training and service delivery.  
An important part of the mission is Outreach and Training in lower resource settings. In fulfillment of this mission, WFPI offers a three-month (August 15 - November 15, 2024) sponsored training observership to be spent at the Radiology Department of the Institute for Children and Adolescents Health Care of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia under the mentorship of Jovan Lovrenski, MD, PhD, Full Professor of Radiology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Serbia, along with the team of 10 more radiologists of the Institute dealing exclusively with pediatric population, including Full Prof. Katarina Koprivšek, one of the leading pediatric neuroradiologists in Eastern Europe.  All Faculty members speak English; most fluently. 
Financial support for the Observer is $3,000 US to cover transport and living expenses; and US $1,000 for the Host Institution.  
Application deadline is May 15, 2024. 
Our Institute is a regional, tertiary health care university children’s hospital, founded in 1969, covering the province of Vojvodina (1.8 million people), with 350 beds, and population from preterm newborns to children up to 18 years of age.  The program will be adjusted to the level of knowledge of the observer, from the basics of pediatric radiology to the advanced features. Generally, the focus will be on the radiological – clinical correlation in everyday clinical practice, how to most efficiently deal with urgent conditions, and how to recognize and differentiate the most important radiological findings. The proper techniques and protocols for pediatric radiology examinations will be emphasized. The outcome is expected to be an experience and skills in dealing with various clinical situations from the aspect of pediatric radiologist, but most importantly a development of self-confidence which is extremely important to bring back home, where sometimes there will be a very few people or no one you can rely on. The knowledge acquired will empower a radiologist to conduct optimized pediatric imaging in either a general radiology service or a dedicated pediatric service.
During the 3 months of observership, the Mentor will be orienting, tutoring and guiding the observer in the various aspects of pediatric imaging i.e:
    Reporting of a variety of plain films.
    Performance of the various fluoroscopic pediatric procedures (from neonates to teenagers)
    Ultrasound of the pediatric patients (including NICU) – brain, neck, lung, abdominal, scrotal ultrasound, as well as ultrasound of soft tissues, joints, and Doppler imaging (we were pioneers in some ultrasound techniques, such as lung ultrasound, hydrostatic reduction of intussusception, ultrasound diagnostics of ingested foreign bodies, gastroesophageal reflux, etc.). 
    CT - doses, protocols, approach to the pediatric brain, chest, abdomen, head and neck, oncology imaging. 
    MRI - MRI protocols, approach to the pediatric brain, abdominal, and MSK imaging. 
    The observer must be committed to the program for the entire period.
    The observer may report on a case only under guidance of the supervisor (the pediatric radiologist)
    The observer will be required to attend and contribute to the academic meetings.
The World Federation Board gratefully acknowledges the William Shiels Memorial Foundation for its generous support of the global Observership Program. 

Dr. William Shiels - Bill - was one of pediatric radiology's true originals. Over the course of his innovative career, Bill  received numerous awards including being a two time recipient of the Society for Pediatric Radiology's "John Caffey Paper  Award", the SPR "Pioneer Award", and a recipient of a grant from the Department of Defense to teach new interventional radiology techniques to aid in the removal of shrapnel in wounded veterans. He served for many years as the Chair of Radiology at Nationwide Children's Hospital.   
Bill lost his battle with pancreatic cancer in May 2015.  You may read the tribute to Bill written by his colleague Dr. Greg Bates here. 
At the time of Bill's passing, his colleagues at Nationwide Children initiated a Foundation in Bill's memory.  The current chair or Radiology at Nationwide Children's, Dr. Rajesh Krishnamurthy, informed the WFPI leadership that supporting a grassroots approach to expert-driven, practical, hands-on training of motivated imaging trainees in parts of the world that are underserved by formal educational opportunities in pediatric radiology was the right way to honor his memory.
Those of us who knew Bill agree; he was a lively, compassionate, and generous man who dedicated his life to helping others through innovative approaches to pediatric imaging technique, practice, and education.