GLOBAL HEALTH PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT 2016 THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT AND THE WESTERN CONNECTICUT HEALTH NETWORK table of contents GLOBAL HEALTH PROGRAM HEALTH GLOBAL Welcome . 2 Global Health Leadership . .3 . Our People, Our Mission . 4. Building Leaders in Global Health . 6 Educating Physicians Around the World . 8 Mentoring the Next Generation . 10 Uganda . 12 Majid Sadigh, M.D., with Russia . 14 . schoolchildren in Zimbabwe Vietnam . 16 . Zimbabwe . 18 The practice of global health connects us Dominican Republic . 20 . to people of diverse perspectives and colors, Awards and Recognition . 22 and upon reflection, to ourselves and the Publications and Presentations . 24 lived experience. We learn to respect differences Directory . .26 . and recognize shared humanness. “ Contact Us . 28 . In discovering the roots of empathy, we rediscover what calls us to the field of medicine. In its essence, this profession is a calling. At the service of the underserved, we follow that calling. – Majid Sadigh, M.D., Christian J. Trefz Family Cover photo credit: Tyler Sizemore, Hearst Connecticut Media Group Endowed Chair in Global Health From left, Dr. Brian Beesiga, Dr. Sohi Ashraf, medical student Mary-Kate LoPiccolo, and Dr. Majid Sadigh examine a patient during clinical rounds at Mulago Hospital in ” the capital city of Kampala, Uganda. GLOBAL HEALTH ANNUAL REPORT 2016 1 GLOBAL HEALTH LEADERSHIP welcome Compassion at the Heart of Medicine It has been an extraordinary year for our global This endowed chair will help us build on the health program . Since its inception in 2012, our impressive foundation we have established GLOBAL HEALTH PROGRAM HEALTH GLOBAL innovative partnership with the Larner College while speaking to our unwavering commitment of Medicine at the University of Vermont has to medical education and global health . It inspired future professionals by providing recognizes the criticality of global health work unique opportunities to experience the essence while providing essential financial support to of medicine . This two-way exchange offers an help expand the program, build capacity and fuel This past year, the Western Connecticut Health Network/University of Vermont Global unparalleled opportunity for caregivers to deepen passion for teaching, research and patient care . Health Program has grown immensely, as the seeds sowed at its inception are now budding their empathy, broaden their perspective, and test For Norwalk Hospital board member Christian and thriving . their ability to observe, diagnose, and alleviate Trefz and his family, it is about making the Human power has proliferated with the addition of several staff members including an suffering in underserved, culturally diverse world a better place by advancing our study and associate director at UVM, two associate directors at WCHN, three departmental directors, John Murphy, M.D., countries . In return, we benefit from visiting research, providing us with the luxury of longer- two program coordinators, and three international site coordinators . Our network has President and CEO, our international partners and absorbing their term thinking, and ensuring world-class clinical broadened with the signing of Memorandums of Understanding that have initiated four Western Connecticut knowledge and expertise in managing global training for the next generation of physicians . new international partnerships in Uganda and the Dominican Republic . In the spirit of Health Network health epidemics such as Zika, Ebola and HIV . The practice of medicine may be changing reciprocity, the capacity building initiative has been expanded to include Norwalk Hospital, Most recently, we celebrated the naming of the rapidly, but the heart of medicine remains the the oncology departments at Danbury Hospital, and John Hopkins/LifeBridge Health . program director as the inaugural recipient of same: compassion, connection, and caring . In In the same spirit, we continue to strengthen our relationships with our partners . We the Christian J . Trefz Family Endowed Chair in today’s challenging fiscal environment, many hosted 13 medical students/physicians for observership training at WCHN, in addition to Global Health at Western Connecticut Health of our most innovative and forward-thinking 18 distinguished guests who made administrative visits . Meanwhile, 30 medical students/ Network . As the only endowed chair in global initiatives are almost entirely dependent on residents completed the global health elective in our host sites where they were supervised health in the state of Connecticut, and one philanthropy . Thanks to the generosity of the by 21 of our American faculty members . Global Health Week in April, during which 11 of only a few hospital-based endowed global Trefz family and other donors, our global health international guests were hosted by and gave lectures to WCHN/UVM Larner College of health chairs in the nation, this is a remarkable program will do just that – continue serving Medicine, was a great success . The event provided an important platform on which to learn accomplishment for our network and a true the world’s neediest populations while offering from our partners while promoting collaboration and solidarity among members, some of testament to Dr . Sadigh’s world-renowned faculty, students, and residents a chance to whom interfaced for the first time . reputation and invaluable contributions to the reconnect to the skills, insights, and passion that In terms of output, our program has featured five peer-reviewed publications, a monthly global community . define their commitment to help others . newsletter, a program website including online tropical medicine modules, and the design of site-specific participant and safety guides . Meanwhile, we have emboldened our commitment to combatting the major global outbreaks of HIV, Ebola, and Zika virus through Building Global Health Leaders television health programs, radio shows, newspapers, grand rounds, and public talks . We look forward to further expanding our program this upcoming year by initiating a The Larner College of Medicine at The University contribute to preparing the global health leaders partnership in Cuba and a unique capacity building model in India as a global health elective of Vermont is pleased to be partners with the of the future . More and more of our first-year site . We will also be working toward instating an advanced curriculum as well as a full track/ Western Connecticut Health Network in this students arrive looking for opportunities in global specialization that will incorporate global health curriculum in all years of medical training thriving and vibrant global health program . health . They are not only making a difference in for students seeking a more robust avenue for and involvement in the field . We are excited for the opportunities it provides the communities they serve, but are also adding We are excited to witness the burgeoning global health movement and passion for health our students, residents, and faculty to gain an to the body of research and scholarly work that equity in our communities, and are grateful to be part of this ever-growing network . understanding of the global issues of health care will have an impact beyond their international delivery and access by experiencing firsthand rotations . Many of our alumni have also become the challenges faced by physicians and providers, interested in the global health program, and it has patients and communities, as well as advocates been a pleasure to connect them with students and relief organizations . who share their passion . Sincerely, Our work with Dr . Sadigh, faculty across both The naming of Dr . Sadigh as the inaugural Majid Sadigh, M .D . Frederick C. Morin III, M.D., institutions, and our international colleagues Christian J . Trefz Family Endowed Chair in Global Trefz Family Endowed Chair of Global Health Dean, The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine has enriched our educational mission and Health at Western Connecticut Health Network Director, Western Connecticut Health Network/University of Vermont Global Health Program at the University of expanded the perspective of all who have had the was a landmark moment for everyone involved Vermont chance to participate . Over the last year, building with the program . The commitment of the Trefz relationships and expanding collaborations with family and the dedication of Dr . Sadigh will serve our colleagues in Uganda, Russia, Zimbabwe, as inspiration and motivation for the year ahead Vietnam and the Dominican Republic has as we work together to build a first-class program strengthened our ability to enhance the education committed to developing outstanding physicians of our medical students and faculty and prepared to be leaders in global health . 2 THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT AND THE WESTERN CONNECTICUT HEALTH NETWORK GLOBAL HEALTH ANNUAL REPORT 2016 3 Shining a Light on Global Health our people, “Global medicine is a fascinating voyage that gives us all the opportunity to comprehend the patient, the village, the family, the spread of illness, the response to sickness, the joy of wellness and the resiliency and determination of survival. The student GLOBAL HEALTH PROGRAM HEALTH GLOBAL our mission is placed in the giant framework of a culture’s own medicine, a fabric woven from the glorious achievements of the shaman and wonderful cultural wisdoms and ideals and myths. We come as the foreigner. But we come with our own high professional quality, Trefz Family