Global Health Program Annual Report 2021

The past year remained one of continuing challenges, yet it also brought heightened
clarity and promise for the Global Health Program. As we adjust to a new normal in the
face of Covid’s unrelenting impact, our remarkable network of global health partners has
never faltered. Instead, our collective commitment has grown stronger as we recognize
our shared mission has never been more urgent.
Disparities in health existed long before the COVID-19 pandemic and include imbalances
not only in access to care but in conditions that foster good health. The pandemic only
highlighted and worsened these disparities. Global health emphasizes health equity for
communities all over the world, including those in our own backyard. We view global
health as a matter of equity, not geography, and will continue to strengthen and expand
partnerships that advance a worldwide network committed to closing the health equity
gap through cooperation and capacity building.
Although the past several years have imposed physical distance between Global Health
Program partners, never before has our collective community shown a greater commitment
to inclusion, involvement and engagement, ensuring that we listen to and learn from those
whose experiences and ideas that are vital to tackling problems in healthcare. Whether
in response to COVID-19 or tackling other healthcare challenges, we remain focused on
creating better treatments, better care delivery and healthier societies, especially for
underserved populations across the globe.
The pandemic has led to rapid accelerations in digital healthcare technologies, as well as
in virtual learning models, and innovation will continue to be a key focus in Global Health
Program activities and initiatives. Our virtual COVID-19 Resource Center, featuring links to
leading scientific resources and the latest medical literature, continues to help our global
healthcare partners stay informed and streamline both pandemic response and recovery
in their communities and clinics around the world.
Our exceptional partnership with the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine
continues to enrich our shared vision for quality patient care and medical education
through cooperation and exchange of ideas, including an emerging community health
partnership with the Dominican Community Center in Danbury focused on overcoming
language and cultural barriers to improve health literacy and ensure equitable access to
healthcare services.
Helping communities near and far recover and become more resilient will remain an urgent
priority for the Global Health Program as our partners strive to mitigate climate disasters,
address systemic racism, grapple with the lingering pandemic and plan strategically
to avoid the next one. None of this would be possible, however, without the continued
energy, enthusiasm and commitment of our loyal donor community and international and
domestic partners. For their continuing support, we remain greatly inspired and deeply
grateful.
John Murphy, MD
President and CEO of Nuvance Health
8 UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT LARNER COLLEGE OF MEDICINE AND NUVANCE HEALTH