Featured Member of the Month (June 2022): Dr. Zola Mzimba

Mr. Zola Mzimba is a Vascular trained Surgeon now specializing solely in the management of venous disease. He is currently employed by the Western Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland, working mainly at Alnagelvin Hospital in Derry/Londonderry and Omagh Hospital Primary Care Complex. He dedicates his entire time in the NHS and the Independent Sector to the assessment and treatment of veins and their complications.

Mr. Mzimba is currently the Clinical Chair for the NHS delivery of Varicose Vein services in Northern Ireland. Through this role, he has helped set up the Dedicated Elective Care Centres for varicose veins delivery in Northern Ireland, the aim of which is to deliver high-volume, high-quality venous interventions under local anesthetic as a day case.

He sits on the Board of the British Association of Sclerotherapists and is also an active member of the Venous Forum of the Royal Society of Medicine. He is a Registered Phlebology Sonographer (RPhS) and a member of the American Vein & Lymphatic Society, Society for Vascular Ultrasound, and the Society of Vascular Technologists of Great Britain and Ireland.

Mr. Mzimba was born, schooled, and went to University in Birmingham. He completed his junior and higher surgical training in the West Midlands. He gained invaluable training and experience during a one-year unit in Baragwanath hospital in Soweto, South Africa, and one year at The Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast, Northern Ireland. During his time in Belfast, he met his wife and they subsequently settled in Derry, where he has lived and worked since 2004. Outside of work he enjoys spending time with his wife, 3 children, and their extended families.

How and why did you start practicing in the field of vein/lymphatic care?
I started post-graduate life as a vascular trainee then became a Vascular and General Surgeon. As services developed and were reconfigured in the UK my unit stopped major arterial surgery and this left me with a choice, move units or remain and develop new services. I opted to stay and developed an access service in my hospital and also looked to develop an endovenous service. Previously all vv’s had been treated by open surgery. As time has progressed I have led the service delivery for varicose veins in Northern Ireland, I have become a board member of the British Association of Sclerotherapists, and am now a Council Member of the Venous Forum at the Royal Society of Medicine.

When you are not at work, how do you spend your time?

I have a relatively young family and so spend most of my leisure time acting as a taxi for the busy social and sporting calendars that my 3 children have.

How long have you been a member of the AVLS and why did you decide to join?

I have been a member since before the AVLS existed. When I joined I joined the American College of Phlebology and that was in 2013. I joined to help me develop my venous understanding. In the UK Phlebology is still an emerging specialty with no formal training or accreditation. I, therefore, looked to the AVLS to help me with my venous practice development.

In what ways has the AVLS helped you as a vein/lymphatic care provider?

The various webinars online CPD and the training videos that could previously have been purchased helped me develop my venous understanding and scanning. The CPD also helped me pass my Registered Phlebology Sonographer’s exam RPhS.

Any advice for your peers new to the field?

Keep up to date with the available literature and read the message board, you never know when you will encounter a patient who has the same diagnostic dilemma that has been discussed by colleagues on the message boards.

What resources does the AVLS provide that would benefit them?

I would regularly use my free access to Phlebology Journal. I also attend the webinars.