Sharing our knowledge and expertise worldwide: Meet Dr. Gary Peiser, Johannesburg, South Africa

Meet Dr. Gary Peiser, a clinical fellow who recently completed his subspecialty training in paediatric interventional radiology at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). Thanks to the generous financial support provided by the SickKids Foundation and the SickKids International/Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital (NMCH) Education Initiative, Gary is the 10th fellow to complete training under this partnership. Gary has returned to NMCH in South Africa and is already making a significant impact by applying his newly acquired advanced skills to improve paediatric outcomes. 

Gary shared his fellowship experience with us, reflecting on what this opportunity at SickKids has meant for him. 

Please tell us about your background and professional role in South Africa.

I’m from Hermanus in South Africa’s Western Cape. I studied medicine at the University of Cape Town and practiced family medicine in the Kruger National Park for five years. Seeking a new challenge, I specialized in Radiology at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. My first role as a radiologist was at NMCH. This is where I was provided the opportunity to pursue a fellowship in interventional radiology at SickKids.  

Can you explain more about your clinical subspecialty and the current opportunities in South Africa? 

Paediatric interventional radiology is a new subspecialty that uses imaging modalities, like ultrasound, to assist in surgical procedures, such as guiding a needle into a tumor for biopsy. While the field is well-established globally, there are very few paediatric interventional radiologists, particularly in South Africa’s public health-care system, which serves the most vulnerable populations. NMCH currently lacks a formal interventional radiology department, though I performed procedures there before coming to Canada. My goal is to establish a dedicated interventional radiology service at NMCH upon my return. 

Can you tell us about your experience and learnings during this fellowship at SickKids? 

My fellowship at SickKids has been a transformative experience. In South Africa, I had limited exposure to interventional radiology, but since arriving here, I’ve performed more than 1,200 procedures and been involved in both inpatient and outpatient care, including the vascular anomalies clinic. A key highlight was coiling a pulmonary vessel through a groin puncture. I also gained expertise in hepatobiliary procedures, valuable for post-liver transplant care as NMCH expands its services. 

The interventional radiology team has been incredibly supportive, providing ongoing mentorship, even after I return to South Africa. I’ve also grown in research, completing two first-author papers and winning the “Innovation” prize at SickKids Research Design Day. I presented my work in Madrid and collaborated on a project studying neuroblastoma biopsy outcomes. 

This fellowship has deeply enriched my professional growth. Seeing how a world-class paediatric hospital operates inspires me to bring this standard of excellence to my practice at NMCH. I look forward to training new registrars in paediatric interventional procedures. 

On a personal note, exploring Canada with my partner has been an unforgettable chapter in our lives. 

What impact do you expect to make upon your return to South Africa? 

Upon returning to NMCH, I will focus on establishing an interventional radiology service to significantly enhance paediatric care. With the strong foundation gained at SickKids, I am eager to replicate this high-quality practice in South Africa, benefiting the children at NMCH. 

I’m excited to train and mentor registrars, introducing paediatric interventional radiology into the radiology program at the University of the Witwatersrand.  

I also hope to inspire colleagues to pursue subspecialty training, following the North American model. By equipping our radiologists with these skills, we can enhance paediatric care across South Africa, extending the impact of my SickKids training. 

A heartfelt thank you to the Kadey Family Charitable Trust, SickKids Foundation, SickKids International and the NMCH leadership for this invaluable opportunity, and to my SickKids program director, mentors and colleagues for their support throughout my fellowship. 

For an overview of SickKids International's current projects visit the SickKids International page. To learn how you can get involved in these exciting projects, contact Cindy Bruce-Barrett, Director of International Affairs, SickKids International.