From Dreams to Diagnosis :
Dr. Kiran Hilal’s Journey

Early Inspirations

Q: What was medical school like? Can you share a memorable anecdote from the time?

Medical college was a life-changing transformation, a true rite of passage. It wasn’t just about lectures and exams; it was where real struggle and self-discovery began. You’re suddenly navigating new spaces, making lifelong friends, and learning lessons far beyond the textbooks. The peer pressure, the emotional highs and lows, the constant balancing act, it’s where your personal and professional grooming truly starts.

One experience that left a lasting mark was my involvement in the national polio eradication campaigns. Working in the field, going door to door, I saw how deeply misinformation and lack of access could endanger children. It was my first real exposure to health inequity, and the vital role physicians play beyond the hospital walls.

Another defining moment was visiting a juvenile detention center (Jail), where I met young boys carrying emotional trauma far beyond their years. That experience taught me that healing in pediatrics goes beyond imaging—it begins with empathy, listening, and human connection.

“Medical school is where your personal
and professional grooming truly starts.”

Q: You were the first Pakistani to earn the EDiPR and EDiPNR. What inspired you to pursue this milestone?

Coming from a country without formal pediatric radiology fellowships, I was searching for structured learning and international academic alignment. The EDiPR and EDiPNR were not just diplomas, they became my gateway to building confidence, refining my skills, and envisioning a better framework for pediatric radiology education back home.

These milestones were also my first true step into the global pediatric radiology community. Through these programs, I formed meaningful connections with international mentors, particularly in pediatric neuroradiology, which ultimately led me to SPIN. Being part of this community continues to shape and inspire my work, and I carry those lessons forward as we build the first national pediatric radiology fellowship curriculum in Pakistan.

Career Challenges and Triumphs

Q: The road less travelled welcomes one with its bumps and snags. What or who helped you with the resilience for these challenges?

Resilience, for me, was not a choice, it was a necessity. I got married young, while still in medical school, and started raising a family alongside my training. Navigating motherhood and a demanding residency was one of the earliest tests of balance and perseverance. But those early challenges became my training ground for a much longer journey ahead.

One of the biggest hurdles was pursuing pediatric radiology and pediatric neuroradiology in a country without a formal fellowship program or existing mentors in the field. For a time, I stood alone. 

I was fortunate to find mentors, globally and nationally, who not only guided me academically but also helped clear the fog around an unmarked path. Once I committed to the journey, doors began to open. I believe life often tests you first, but it eventually eases the way if you persist with clarity.

Ultimately, my family’s unwavering support and the wisdom of my mentors helped me rise through uncertainty and build something meaningful from it.

“I believe life often tests you first, but it eventually eases the way if you persist with clarity.”

Q. Medicine has evolved tremendously over the past decades. Could you share a few case scenarios where you have seen paradigm shifts in diagnosis, approach, management in pediatric/pediatric neuroradiology?

One of the most striking evolutions I’ve witnessed is the rise of radiogenomics,especially in understanding brain malformations like tubulinopathies and dystroglycanopathies. Where once we relied on descriptive imaging, we can now confidently predict genetic correlations from radiologic patterns alone.

In neuro-oncology, imaging is no longer just about tumor localization,it helps guide molecular profiling and targeted treatment. Similarly, autoimmune neuroinflammatory disorders such as ALERD and MOG-spectrum diseases, once under-recognized, are now more confidently diagnosed thanks to pattern-based recognition and growing awareness.

And perhaps the most meaningful change? The role of global virtual learning platforms, like SPIN, ASPNR, have made expert knowledge more accessible than ever before. For radiologists in resource-limited settings, this has been truly transformative, bringing the global community closer and strengthening local practice.

Innovations & Global Perspective

Q. What recent advancements excite you the most, and why do you think they're game-changers?

I’m most excited about the integration of AI into radiologic diagnosis and academic workflows. AI is evolving beyond detection,it’s now enhancing image interpretation, supporting clinical decision-making, and even predicting molecular and genetic markers from imaging patterns.

This evolution holds particular promise for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like ours, where genetic testing remains expensive and often inaccessible. If AI can help us approximate genetic predictions through imaging, it could make precision medicine more feasible and equitable for the patients who need it most. To me, this shift is not just technological, it’s transformational.

Q. Given your experience, how do you approach cases where advanced techniques are no readily available?

Sometimes, having less pushes you to bring out your best. In settings with limited resources and expertise, you learn to maximize what you have, using clinical context, focused imaging, and smart protocols to guide meaningful diagnosis.

The key lies in close-knit collaboration between the radiologist, the physician, and the patient. Sharing complex cases in multidisciplinary meetings, both locally and internally, helps refine our decisions and ensures that no one works in isolation. It’s through these conversations that insight grows, even without advanced tools.

We also rely heavily on pattern recognition, data gathering, and the power of shared learning. When technology is limited, connection becomes our strongest diagnostic tool and it often makes all the difference.

Personal Reflections

Q: How do you think doctors should balance work and other joys of life? What is your go-to stress buster?

For women, especially those in medicine and leadership, balance isn’t a destination; it’s a daily negotiation. Honestly, it’s never easy. It wasn’t, it isn’t, and it likely won’t ever be without effort. But I’ve learned that clarity and structure can offer a lifeline.

Instead of chasing the idea of perfect boundaries, I focus on setting daily goals,a personal to-do list that helps me prioritize what matters most, both professionally and personally. I choose what needs my energy first, complete it with full focus, and then shift to the next role, whether that’s a radiologist, a mentor, or a mother.

“Being fully present in each space is my way of creating balance.”

But none of this is possible without first caring for yourself. Loving yourself is the first joy of life. My go-to stress buster is my gym, especially strength training and lifting weights. Spending time with myself is how I reset, reflect, and recharge.

Q. Can you share a funny or heartwarming story from your medical career that still makes you smile?

I often get told, “You don’t look like a doctor.” No white coat, no stethoscope, just me in front of a screen. A child once called me “the computer doctor,” and a parent asked, quite sincerely, “So what do you actually do?”

My favorite reply: “I’m the doctor for your doctor. I’m the eyes that help them see.”
And if they’ve watched Netflix, I add: “Think of me as Dr. House........ I don’t always see the patient, but I help crack the case.”

Those moments always make me smile,and remind me how unique our role really is.

Q. Three things about you that only a few know!

I’m completely obsessed with organising spaces, it’s my way of calming chaos. Even during the most hectic days, you’ll often find me rearranging trays, sorting drawers, or aligning pens mid-meeting. It’s so noticeable that Colleagues jokingly call it OCD, but for me, it’s just how I reset.

I have a serious sweet tooth, whether it’s an ice cream scoop, a piece of cake, or a bite of mithai (a traditional South Asian dessert). I truly believe there is no stressful day that can’t be softened by a good piece of something sweet. Before radiology, I dreamed of creating beautiful homes by curating colors, light, and space.

“To this day, I think I could’ve made a pretty good interior designer, especially with my organising instincts!”

Legacy and Impact 

Q. What do you hope your legacy will be in the field of pediatric imaging or pediatric neuroimaging?

I hope my legacy will be that of someone who opened doors, as the first to step into pediatric neuroradiology in my country and pave the way for others to follow. In a place where formal pathways didn’t exist, I worked to create structure, build curriculum, and bring global standards into local practice. If my journey inspires others, and if I’ve helped make the path a little easier for those coming after me, then that is the legacy I’d be proud to leave behind.

“I hope my legacy will be of someone who opened doors..”

Q. If you could change one thing about the healthcare system or pediatric radiology education in LMIC, what would it be and why?

In healthcare, I would change the inequity in access to imaging. Every child, regardless of where they are born, deserves high-quality imaging as a fundamental right, not a privilege.

In education, I would address the lack of structured training in pediatric radiology and pediatric neuroradiology. LMICs have the talent, but not the roadmap. We need accessible, competency-based programs that are locally rooted but globally aligned.

Q. What is the one advice you would give to your younger self? OR
What advice would you give to radiologists from developing countries aiming for similar international recognition?

To my younger self, I’d say: You are capable of anything. Have faith, trust the process, and keep going until you get there. Every step counts, even the slow ones.

To radiologists from developing countries: Consistency and discipline are your foundation, but pair them with smart choices. Stay curious, stay connected, and never underestimate the power of showing up every day with purpose.

Still the doctor without a stethoscope… but with a strong Wi-Fi connection and a stronger purpose!

Dr. Kiran Hilal
Proudly reporting from Karachi ,Pakistan