By News and Internal Communications

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS - MARCH 4, 2025 - One UTRGV physician and professor is regularly invited to share his expertise in surgical anatomy, podiatric surgery, wound care and diabetic management at prestigious institutions in London — and was recently invited to King’s College London School of Medicine to do just that.

UTRGV’s Dr. Hooman Mir, DPM, MSci, FAPWCA, has been giving lectures in anatomical sciences and designing and running surgical amputation workshops at the Imperial College School of Medicine for the last eight years, as well as at St. Bartholomew's Medical College for the last two years.

In December 2024, he was invited to deliver a series of three lectures on foot and ankle care to medical students at King’s College London, School of Medicine (KCL).

"Being invited to lecture at King's College London, School of Medicine – a 190-year-old bastion of medical excellence – is a profound honor,” said Mir.

His latest presentations ranged from the surgical anatomical considerations of diabetic lower extremities to technological advances in podiatric education and patient care.

Mir said he hopes for future international exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration between UTRGV SOPM and institutes such as King’s to foster medical innovation and improve global health outcomes.

“The role of international medicine has never been more critical,” Mir said. “With diabetes and its complications rising at alarming rates worldwide, institutions like UTRGV must take the lead in pioneering global medical solutions.”

INTERNATIONAL LECTURES

Mir’s lectures connected academic research and real-world clinical application, in alignment with the mission of UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine.

His first lecture session, “Diabetic lower extremity surgical anatomical considerations,” integrated real-case scenarios, anatomical studies and innovative surgical approaches.

“Managing diabetic foot complications is a pressing global health concern,” Mir said. 

He emphasized the need for podiatrists to take a proactive role in preventing amputations and improving patient outcomes.

His second lecture, “Advancements in UTRGV SOPM technology for podiatric medical education,” highlighted how the integration of state-of-the-art technological tools is revolutionizing podiatric training.

He presented on UTRGV SOPM’s digital advancements: employing virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), and simulation-based learning to enhance medical education.

“These virtual scalpels and digital cadavers, among other tools, are not only reshaping the way podiatry is taught but also ensuring that students are equipped with the skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving medical landscape,” Mir said.

Mohammed Jafer Ali, a first-year medical student from the KCL GKT School of Medicine, said the insights Mir shared were a valuable resource.

“Dr. Mir addressed many common misconceptions and demonstrated a broad knowledge of the overlap between U.K. and U.S. medical education, particularly in orthopedic surgery of the lower extremities,” he said.

His third lecture, “Diabetic patient management at the forefront of innovation,” tied together the themes of surgical precision and technological advancements as part of a holistic approach to diabetic care. Dr. Mir underscored the importance of early detection, patient-centered treatment strategies, and leveraging technology to improve diabetes-related foot care and limb preservation.

Sukhraj Singh Virdee, a fourth-year KCL medical student, attended Mir’s lecture on the holistic perspective to prevention. He commended the institutions for facilitating the enriching academic exchange.

“The comprehensive insights into the complexities of medical and surgical education were truly enlightening and invaluable,” Virdee said.  “I look forward to witnessing the continued success of collaborative initiatives between the USA and KCL in the realm of medicine.”