Member Spotlight: Fluturim Nela

It was 2006 when I started studying medical imaging techniques and radiotherapy at the State Medical University of Tirana. After graduating in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree, I encountered difficulties in the labor market at that time. Then in 2011, I started my first job in a small clinic as a radiographer, and as investments in the private sector in health care in Albania got a noticeable boost, the opportunities increased more. I started working at Salus Hospital, a modern hospital funded by a hospital group based in Trieste, Italy. Familiarity with the modern medical practices of a country like Italy increased my desire to focus on MRI as it was a little-explored and little-invested technique in my country. Albanian publications were few in this field, especially in the MRI technique. Italian literature was my first knowledge base, and then through work and ongoing studies this passion was cultivated even more.

MRI is a technique that interacts with and gives the result of the work and calculations that the technician makes. All its structure and the way it works, its physical complexity, and the diversity of its images make it a unique technique. Patient management, security elements, innovation and diversity of its sequences, and the possibility of performing various examinations are exciting and stimulate me to know more about it.

I live in Tirana, a city that is growing day by day, as every capital has a lot of traffic at certain times. In addition to working as an MRI technician, I have been working for 3 years as a lecturer at the European University of Tirana, so the work between the hospital and the university has made my life more dynamic. At the university, I give lectures on radiology techniques, mainly the basics of radiography, CT, and MRI. My days start generally with family, then some gym time or organizing lectures, and then I drive to work in the diagnostic radiology department at Hygeia Hospital according to my work schedule. The service in our hospital structure is 24/7 and the shifts vary; six times a month I work the night shift. The work in the department is shared among colleagues, and we work in cycles at each diagnostic equipment. MRI occupies a very significant place during working hours. MRI scans are scheduled ahead of time, and we do about 20 exams per day.

As far as I know from others living and working in Albania, there are no other registered members. The ISMRT left a very good impression on me, and I liked the professionalism and seriousness shown during the discussions very much that I became a member. I like the scientific and organizational level as well as the innovation and the serious work of many of the members and speakers at the events; I also like the opportunity for exchanges of experiences and the inclusion of MRI technicians from all over the world, bringing with them their special and very interesting work and life experiences.

In my opinion, participating in this organization will help my colleagues and me to grow professionally and have a very positive impact on our daily work as well as on health care in the field of MRI. With this step and also some other initiatives to encourage colleagues to join the association of radiology technicians in world and European organizations, we hope to help the society of radiology technicians of Albania to grow professionally and to walk alongside similar European and world organizations. I have been applying for several months and after seeing the announcement for the organization of the annual event in London, I expressed my interest to participate and become a member of ISMRT as the first (and only) Albanian to join. After I exchanged some emails with Nancy Beluk, a wonderful woman who gave me great support to become a member and attend the London event, I managed to apply and my application to become a member was approved.

I have a wonderful family, a wife and three wonderful boys who make my day fantastic. I do not keep pets at home, but in the yard of my apartment, we have a group of cats that we take care of with the neighbours. I like climbing mountains and mainly in the mountains of my hometown. I like social engagements and try to meet with a group of friends to discuss books, social topics, and issues that have a kind of importance for the Albanian society.