First Kidney Biopsies in Holguin, Cuba: One Way ISN Interventional Nephrology Training Has Helped Improve Local Kidney Care
From left to right: Lázaro Cobiellas, Bernardo Moguel, Rafael Montepio and Mariza Colque
Lázaro Cobiellas (Cuba), Mariza Colque (Bolivia), and Rafael Montepio (Philippines) are all recent graduates of the ISN Interventional Nephrology (IN) Scholarship Advanced Course.
These doctors spent three months at Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez in Mexico, a recognized ISN Interventional Nephrology Training Center. They trained in CVC placement, PD catheter insertion, and kidney biopsy under Dr. Bernardo Moguel. After training, they returned to their respective home countries to use these skills to improve patient care and train others in IN techniques.
Interventional Nephrology Scholarship applications are currently open. Find out more here or apply to the program by June 1.
Dr. Cobiellas reports that he is already implementing what he learned to significantly improve the standard of care in Cuba. He is placing ultrasound-guided tunneled catheters near-daily and performing the first ultrasound-guided kidney biopsies in the country. He has been teaching IN skills to residents at his healthcare center and organized the first interventional nephrology course in Cuba, attended by 150 virtual and in-person participants.
He comments: “We are currently working on creating the first interventional nephrology department, and will be amazing.” He added that the course was “A great learning experience and my best opportunity in 2022. Thanks to the ISN for all your kind support.”
