GLOBAL HEALTH PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT 2017 The Robert Larner, MD College of Medicine at the University of Vermont and the Western Connecticut Health Network “The walls between our borders have diffused, and our many voices merged into one: that which advocates for the voiceless” Majid Sadigh, MD ANNUALREPORTFINAL2b.indd 1 4/2/2018 9:26:11 AM WELCOME established ourselves as our own unique communities here at home and abroad brand in global health focused on through bidirectional exchange, humanism, bidirectionality, and respect, respect, and trust. Our collectively centered on one overarching theme: to gained momentum can be used to incite advocate for the voiceless. significant movement. We have already used our resources to carry out a number All our programs have flourished of meaningful research projects focused through our esteemed expanse of on community health and development. partnerships with prestigious medical universities and institutions, as well as We are indebted to the devotion of our community organizations and hospitals national and international partners- around the world- in the Dominican medical students, residents, faculty, Republic, Russia, Uganda, Vietnam, and community members- all of whom and Zimbabwe. Toward our central have been instrumental in shaping our goal of capacity building around human philosophy and helping the program resources and medical education, we flourish in such a short period of time. host and train over fifteen international They stand by us, and we by them. guests from our partner sites every Uniting in the goal of advocating for year. We are grateful for the meaningful the underserved has infused remarkable relationships cultivated with all our energy into the program. The walls It’s hard to believe that the Global program participants, from our students between our borders have diffused, and Health Program at the University of hosted by our partners to our partner’s our many voices merged into one: that Vermont Robert Larner, M.D. College of students hosted here at home. As which advocates for the voiceless. Medicine/Western Connecticut Health instruments of change in their medical Network is already entering its sixth education departments, hospitals, and year. During this short time, it has gained communities, these alumni can now Majid Sadigh, MD national and international recognition as contribute to the communities that a leader in global health and medical impacted them so deeply during their education. As active members of the global health rotations. Consortium of Universities in Global Health, our program delegates serve Moving forward into this next era of Trefz Family Endowed Chair in as keynote speakers, subcommittee our program, we hope to conjoin all Global Health at WCHN and members, and poster presenters at our resources as a unified force with Director of Global Health at the annual conference. In 2017, we which to positively impact underserved UVMLCOM My family and I are proud to support WCHN's Global Health Program, specifically through the Christian J. Trefz Family Endowed Chair held by Dr. Majid Sadigh who is an extraordinary leader. As avid supporters of global and local healthcare, my family can inherit no finer legacy. I encourage others to invest in this program whose many members are involved in incredibly compassionate and awe-inspiring work. Philanthropy impacts our global partners in the Dominican Republic, Russia, Uganda, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe while enhancing the WCHN teaching program by ensuring that our future physicians and clinicians are prepared to diagnose and treat global diseases, and that they do so with great compassion. Christian J. Trefz ANNUALREPORTFINAL2b.indd 2 4/2/2018 9:26:14 AM TABLE of contents 2 Welcome 4 Global Health Leadership 7 Our People, Our Mission 10 Nurturing Leaders in Global Health 12 Educating Physicians Around the World 14 Dominican Republic 16 Russia 18 Uganda 22 Vietnam 24 Zimbabwe 25 Our Voice 26 Awards, Recognitions and Conference Presentations 28 Publications and Educational Events 30 Directory Cover Photo Global health program participants at 32 Contact Cho Ray Hospital, Vietnam ANNUALREPORTFINAL2b.indd 3 4/2/2018 9:26:15 AM Thanks to the extraordinary leadership Endowed Chair in Global Health, Dr. of Dr. Majid Sadigh, the program has Sadigh is helping shape the future made impressive strides in expanding of global health opportunities for its global footprint. True to its mission, interested residents and faculty. With the program is a two-way exchange celebrated academic collaborations offering an unparalleled opportunity with Makerere University College of for caregivers to diagnose, treat and Health Sciences in Uganda, University alleviate suffering in culturally diverse of Vermont, Ross University School and resource-limited countries. Through of Medicine, American University vigorous capacity building efforts, the of the Caribbean and Sacred Heart program now trains 20 international University – I can’t think of a better colleagues annually who are dedicated way to ensure that the next generation to supporting the program’s mission. of physicians, physician assistants Additionally, the program has forged and nurse practitioners receive world- valuable international partnerships. class clinical training. With unique For example, working with the opportunities to practice medicine John Murphy, MD African Community Center for Social in Uganda, Zimbabwe, Russia, President and CEO, Sustainability and Nakaseke District Vietnam and the Dominican Republic, Western Connecticut Hospital in Uganda, participants participants learn firsthand how to save Health Network exchange knowledge and expertise in lives and alleviate suffering despite managing health epidemics such as limited access to basic necessities, Without a doubt, our Global Health maternal mortality. As a result, new medications, supplies and diagnostic Program is going the distance and health screenings and health education equipment – something we often take reaching new heights in caring for the programs for Ugandan women and for granted. world’s neediest populations while children were launched to help optimize offering physicians in training, medical health by preventing illness and disease. I am confident you will agree after students and our teaching faculty life- We’re proud to recognize the academic reading this year’s annual report – changing experiences. Celebrating its attributes of our global health leadership thanks to the collective contributions of sixth year, our respected program has who, on a national and international all those involved in our Global Health grown from its early vision and limited level, serve as renowned keynote Program – that we are justifiably proud offerings into a well-established and speakers, presenters and moderators to be educating the type of doctors widely respected global initiative – one at prestigious medical education today’s patients need – physicians that has exceeded expectations and conferences sharing insights and who are compassionate and capable promises to continue to evolve in the expertise on global health issues. clinicians, intelligent listeners and years ahead. As the Christian J. Trefz Family critical thinkers. Pierce Gardner, MD Senior Advisor at the Global Health Institute at Stony Brook University I continue to be impressed that a group of community-based hospitals could so quickly mount a robust global health program rooted in the virtues of bilaterality, diversity, and even academics, as global health is now an integral part of the medical education curriculum. The UVMLCOM/WCHN Global Health Program now ranks with the best in the country, serving as a model for others to emulate. Mega congratulations! Nelson Sewankambo, MBChB, MSc, MMED, FRCP President of the Uganda National Academy of Science Congratulations on developing a global health program of such high standards in such a short period of time that engages so many students, residents, and faculty members from both the United States and international partner institutions. Continue with these dedicated efforts, and the sky is the limit. Global Health Annual Report 2017 4 ANNUALREPORTFINAL2b.indd 4 4/2/2018 9:26:19 AM Our prime mission at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine is the education of the next generation of physicians. The Global Health Program opens educational opportunities to medical students and residents that deeply enrich their clinical learning in ways that would not otherwise be possible. We believe it is important for our students and faculty to be more than just “medical visitors” in their global health experiences. With its Frederick C. deep and continuing connections William B. Morin III, MD across the globe, this program has Jeffries, PhD provided participants with meaningful, Dean of the University of enriching opportunities to serve and Senior Associate Dean for Vermont Robert Larner learn. Medical Education College of Medicine Professor of Pharmacology (UVMLCOM) University of Vermont Robert These global health opportunities are Larner College of Medicine Serving and Learning Across increasingly sought out by medical (UVMLCOM) the Globe school applicants. Our first-year Global health experience has always students arrive here eager to broaden been of great interest to students and their learning through global health One of the most significant benefits faculty at the University of Vermont experience, and to pursue research that the UVM Larner College Larner College of Medicine, and