Samantha Mallahan, M.D. Candidate at Loyola University of Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, shared on LinkedIn:
“This past week I returned from Kutaisi, Georgia after a 2-week clinical and research site visit to the Krystyna Kiel Oncology Center (KKOC) – an experience I will carry with me for the rest of my career.
As a recipient of a 2026 Cancer Community Engagement Award through Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine’s Community and Global Health Honors Program (CCGH) and the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center (CBCC), I traveled to KKOC to research post-therapy breast cancer surveillance imaging and compare surveillance patterns and outcomes in a resource-limited setting.
At KKOC, I gained valuable insights into healthcare disparities in cancer care delivery, deepened my understanding of global health systems, and learned innovative ways to maintain high-quality care despite resource limitations.
While my project focused on cancer care, the KKOC team gave me a truly immersive experience across the entire healthcare ecosystem – from shadowing physicists in radiation oncology, to scrubbing in on my first ever brain surgery, to meeting with hospital administrators and leaders in finance and quality.
Beyond all of that, I gained a mentor for life in Dr. Eter Natelauri.
Learning how she essentially built radiation oncology and cancer care in Western Georgia from the ground up was simply inspiring. In just two short weeks, it was strikingly evident how fiercely she advocates for her patients, pushes those around her to continually ask questions, and is determined to always make things better.
Dr. Eteri, you reminded me why I chose to become a doctor and have left me deeply determined to help ‘bring back the soul‘ of medicine.
Madloba, madloba, madloba! And to the entire Radiation Oncology department and everyone else who took the time to teach me, welcome me, and make me feel at home – thank you. Shota Maghlakelidze, Mariami Tchirakadze, Alexander, Nata, Mariam Zurashvili, Mariam Pkhaladze, Tornike Badzgaradze, Anna Jgamadze and many others
Lastly, an enormous thank you to my mentor Dr. Tamer Refaat, MD PhD MSCI and the CCGH/CBCC team who not only sponsored this research project, but is the reason any of this was possible.
Thank you for this incredible opportunity – it has strengthened my passion for global health, expanded my perspective, and given me lifelong mentorship and friendship.
I’m so excited about all the ways my involvement with KKOC will continue to grow throughout my time at Stritch and into my medical career, especially as a member of the CCGH program.
Kutaisi, I will be back soon!”
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