AnnualReportGH2023

Nuvance Health 

GLOBAL HEALTH 

PROGRAM 

Annual Report 2023 

NUVANCE HEALTH 

1

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

From the Leadership 4 

Special Sections 

Transformation of the Global Health Program 40 

The Majid Sadigh, MD Global Health Academy 46 

Capacity Building in Global Health 72 

Program Highlights 84 

Scholarly Activities 108 

Global Health Electives 113 

Global Health eMagazine 148 

Financial Disbursements/Accountability 151 


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Welcome Notes 

FROM LEADERSHIP 

4 ANNUAL REPORT 2023

Years Ahead 

In reflection on the growth of our program in 2023, we 

identify many sources of gratitude and pride. We have 

nurtured our participants towards further discovering 

their skills and passions in Global Health (GH). By 

deeply valuing commitment to the ongoing process 

of equitable partnerships and decolonization of the 

field, we have invested in future leaders who will make 

lasting impact. We have witnessed the blossoming 

of these incredible medical students, residents, and 

faculty into co-owners of the program in concept 

and energy investment alike, be it through creating 

content for GH Bridge, contributing bi-directionally in 

our partner sites, or amplifying their voices at national 

and international conferences. 

Our members are forging paths of their own, all within 

the foundations of our collective philosophy. Faculty 

are discovering their contributions to leading the 

decolonization movement and pioneering new lowto-middle-income 

country (LMIC) collaborations. 

We proudly celebrate the first graduates of the Rudy 

Ruggles Mental Health Program, Youth Academy 

for Latino Leaders, and the joint Master’s Degree 

Program in Health Professions Education and GH with 

the University of Zimbabwe Faculty of Medicine and 

Health Sciences. We also celebrate the representation 

of our members at the United Nations General 

Assembly for the second time, and alumni who have 

built their own pedagogic and clinical initiatives. 

The value of our modes of connection, including the 

blog, eMagazine, and annual GH Days have become 

unquestionable in bringing our colleagues in one 

room, both literally and figuratively, allowing us to join 

in community and brainstorm future ideas. Our new 

platform for connection and collaboration, the GH 

Academy, is finally underway thanks to donors like 

the Trefz and Almira families and the tireless efforts of 

countless individuals. 

Moving ahead, we look to further the ways in which 

alumni can apply their skills, creativity, and energy 

in helping achieve and expand the goals of the GH 

Academy. We explore the reshaping of our eMagazine 

and recreation of our GH Diaries in tandem with the 

program’s evolution. We continue to delve into the 

operation and impact of the Executive Committee 

whose members are among the most devoted leaders 

fortifying our collective mission and vision. 

Finally, the transition to new leadership is a shift that 

stands as the crown of our collective accomplishments. 

We are indebted to this group that steers the program 

with greater energy, skill, and innovation, leading 

with acumen in medical education and artificial 

intelligence-oriented technology, as well as Dr. John 

Murphy and Grace Lindhard whose support have 

made this transition smooth and successful. Our eyes 

lie on what is ahead in this new era of our program. 

Majid Sadigh, MD 

Founding Director of the Nuvance Health Global Health Program, U.S. 


5

Dear Colleagues and Friends: 

It is my distinct honor and privilege to step into the role of Director 

of the Nuvance Health Global Health (GH) Program. It is hard to 

believe that Dr. Majid Sadigh, the program’s founder and leader 

for over a decade, has stepped down. 

Dr. Sadigh’s vision, wisdom, kindness, generosity, and deepest 

compassion towards the underserved has made the GH 

Program so successful that from its seeds a GH Academy was 

born. I am, therefore, deeply grateful to Dr. Sadigh and the 

leadership of Nuvance Health for entrusting me to continue 

this tremendous work to ensure that the Majid Sadigh, MD GH 

Academy flourishes and contributes to eradicating the injustice 

in access to quality healthcare worldwide. I also understand the 

tremendous responsibility that comes with this new assignment. 

Bulat A. Ziganshin, MD, PhD 

Executive Director of the Nuvance Health Global 

Health Program, U.S. 

Christian J. Trefz Family Endowed Chair in Global 

Health 

I come to this position with significant experience in GH. While 

in Russia, I served as a Senior Officer for International Medical 

Exchange Programs at the GH Center of Kazan State Medical 

University and also as the President of the Tatarstan Medical 

Students’ Association (2006-2013). Since 2016, I have been 

a member of the GH Program at Nuvance Health/University 

of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, working first on GH 

electives for students at American University of the Caribbean/ 

Ross University School of Medicine, and then in the capacity of 

Associate Director. 

To all our international and domestic partners, I want to give 

reassurance of my full commitment to sustaining all the aims and 

goals of our GH collaborations that Dr. Sadigh has established, 

and to further developing the GH Academy with your help and 

collaboration. As we embark on this journey together, I see us 

not just as a group of talented individuals but as a cohesive team 

with a shared purpose: to make a lasting impact on GH. I believe 

that the key to our success lies in collaboration, creativity, and 

continuous learning. Together, we will establish a new model of 

training in GH via the Academy, empower the next generation 

of GH leaders, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of 

countless individuals around the world. 

I am excited for the incredible journey ahead, and I could not be 

more grateful and honored to continue Dr. Sadigh’s remarkable 

work. 


This year was marked by meaningful progress, legacy change, 

and new beginnings for the Global Health (GH) Program. As we 

reflect upon the challenges and triumphs that have defined our 

journey since 2012, we are reminded of the extraordinary efforts 

and dedication of our partners, united in a shared commitment 

to under-resourced communities across the globe. 

Change is a catalyst that propels us forward, igniting innovation 

and evolution in our approach to GH disparities. In the face of 

unprecedented challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, we 

continue to adapt and transform our strategies to meet the 

evolving needs of diverse populations. 

Against this backdrop of change, we honored the incomparable 

Majid Sadigh, MD upon his retirement, paying tribute to his 

remarkable vision and perseverance as Founding Director of 

the GH Program. Internationally recognized for his numerous 

contributions to GH and medical education, Dr. Sadigh’s 

steadfast commitment has built an enduring foundation upon 

which all future program accomplishments can be erected. 

By fostering a culture of compassion and collaboration, Dr. 

Sadigh continues to inspire our next generation of GH leaders, 

including longtime friend and protégé Bulat Ziganshin, MD, PhD, 

our new Director of GH and Christian J. Trefz Family Endowed 

Chair in GH. 

John Murphy, MD 

President and Chief Executive Officer of Nuvance 

Health, U.S. 

The launch of the new Majid Sadigh, MD GH Academy crystalized 

our vision for a prestigious academic training center dedicated 

to training highly qualified, carefully selected matriculants from 

around the world in essential GH competencies including ethics, 

humility, and knowledge of diverse healthcare delivery and 

training systems. 

More than twenty GH partners from around the world attended 

our second annual Nuvance Health GH Conference in June— 

our first in-person gathering since the pandemic—fostering a 

thoughtful educational and networking experience. 

As we look to the future, we are inspired by the power of collective 

action in shaping a world where health is not a privilege, but 

a fundamental human right. None of this would be possible, 

however, without our loyal donor community and international 

and local partners. Their unwavering support of the GH Program 

is the cornerstone of our success. For this, we are profoundly 

grateful. 


7

As the year 2023 comes to a close, we would like to offer our heartfelt thanks 

to Dr. Majid Sadigh for his outstanding leadership of the Global Health (GH) 

Program since its inception. The work that the team is doing is vital for so many 

in need, and continues to be an inspiration. 

We extend our congratulations to Dr. Sadigh for creating the GH Academy 

which will bear his name. The Majid Sadigh, MD GH Academy will be an essential 

training center for highly qualified candidates and will expand the impact of 

the GH mission. 

As Dr. Sadigh retires from his position of leadership from the GH Program, we 

again thank him for the years of hard work and dedication. Best wishes for the 

future, Dr. Sadigh! 

Meanwhile, we extend a warm welcome and congratulations to Dr. Bulat 

Ziganshin as the new GH Chair. We are confident that Dr. Ziganshin will continue 

the work of his predecessor with commitment and expertise. 

We look forward to the future with the hope that the GH Program, with so 

many initiatives, will continue its important work here in our community and 

across the world. 

Christian and Eva Trefz 

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ANNUAL REPORT 2023

We are humbled and immensely grateful for the continued 

philanthropic support our Global Health (GH) Program receives. 

Philanthropy plays a fundamental role in our capacity to sustain 

the GH partnerships that ensure under-resourced communities 

around the world receive the vital resources and medical 

training they need to build healthier futures. It is the generosity 

of our donors that allowed us to launch the Majid Sadigh, MD 

GH Academy. We give special thanks to the Trefz and Almira 

families for their unwavering and continued support in honor of 

Dr. Sadigh. The success of our GH Program is a testament to the 

enduring generosity of our donor community, and we are deeply 

grateful for such incredible support. 

Engaging with our donors helps us overcome resource limitations 

and implement sustainable solutions that will positively impact 

countless lives around the world for generations to come. On 

behalf of Nuvance Health and our GH Program, thank you to our 

donors—past, present, and future. With your continued support, 

there is no limit to the impact we can make. 

Grace Linhard 

Chief Development Officer at Nuvance Health, U.S. 


9

It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that I extend a warm 

welcome to all our international partners in Global Health (GH) 

on behalf of the Executive Board of the GH Academy. 

This past year has seen a number of transitions in GH at Nuvance 

Health. The GH Academy was established and launched under 

the guidance and leadership of its Founding Director, Dr. 

Majid Sadigh. This Academy now bears his name. After more 

than twelve years of service, Dr. Sadigh has retired from his 

leadership role in GH and we welcome Dr. Bulat Ziganshin as 

Executive Director of the Academy. 

Aparna Oltikar, MD 

Chair of the Executive Board of the Majid 

Sadigh, MD Global Health Academy, U.S. 

Vice President of Medical Affairs and Chairman 

of the Department of Medicine at Danbury and 

New Milford Hospitals 

The Majid Sadigh, MD GH Academy has a unique oversight and 

reporting structure. The Executive Director reports directly to 

an Executive Board composed of Nuvance Health leadership 

members, a representative of the international partners, 

and representatives of our major donors (please see the “GH 

Academy” section for a detailed introduction of the Executive 

Board members). 

As Chair of the Executive Board, I am honored to serve 

alongside such a distinguished group of individuals who bring a 

wealth of expertise, experience, and passion to the table. We all 

share a collective commitment to advancing GH education and 

promoting equitable healthcare access worldwide. Together, 

we represent a diverse array of perspectives and backgrounds, 

each uniquely positioned to contribute to the overarching 

mission of the GH Academy. 

As members of the Executive Board, our role is pivotal in 

providing strategic oversight, guidance, and support to 

ensure the GH Academy’s sustainability and success. Through 

collaborative leadership, transparent communication, and 

a steadfast commitment to excellence, we will navigate the 

complex landscape of GH challenges and opportunities, driving 

impactful change and fostering innovation. 

I am confident that our collective efforts will lead to 

transformative outcomes, empowering communities, and 

improving health outcomes both locally and worldwide. Thank 

you for your dedication and commitment to GH. Together, we 

will make a difference. 


This year has been bittersweet, as we continue to expand and 

experience success in the program while saying goodbye to our 

friend, mentor, and colleague Dr. Majid Sadigh. 

We celebrated the Nuvance Health/University of Vermont 

Larner College of Medicine Global Health (GH) Conference this 

past June, with significant representation from many of our 

partners around the world. My first time attending this event, it 

was exciting, invigorating, and inspiring to see the amazing work 

being done individually and collectively to advance the mission 

of equity and access. I spoke to many colleagues and new 

friends who shared the vision of decolonization and capacity 

building. The energy and passion was palpable. We look forward 

to the upcoming summit this fall. 

Through our GH Nursing initiative, many of our nurses have been 

able to visit and learn about the care provided by our partner 

sites in Uganda, an-eye opening and meaningful experience for 

those who participated. As we expand the program, we believe 

it will be instrumental in building healthcare provider capacity 

while expanding the clinical and intercultural skills of parties on 

both sides. 

Dereck DeLeon, MD 

Chief Academic Officer at Nuvance Health Health, U.S. 

Meanwhile, the Majid Sadigh, M.D. GH Academy is a 

unique center of excellence with the mission of creating an 

empowerment model in GH. Among its countless offerings, 

it nurtures GH leaders who are well-versed in ethics, humility, 

various healthcare delivery and education systems, medical 

anthropology, public health, cultural competencies, grant 

writing, and research skills. Committed to the continual work of 

decolonization and equity and fostering collaborations among 

low-to-middle-income countries, the GH Academy elevates the 

work of our program to new heights. 

Finally, Dr. Sadigh’s retirement has left a big void. His leadership, 

guidance, and fortitude to create the GH Program from a vision 

is an inspiration and reminder of what we can do if we believe in 

something so profoundly. 

As our new Executive Director, Dr. Bulat Ziganshin has crafted 

a vision for the future. We look forward to working together to 

further develop the programs and infrastructure put in place by 

our Founding Director, Dr. Sadigh, and expand the program in 

new directions. 


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Welcome Notes from 

University of Vermont 

Larner College of 

Medicine (UVMLCOM) 

Leadership, U.S. 

12 

ANNUAL REPORT 2023

In a world still emerging from a pandemic and experiencing 

increasing instability, the urgency to focus on Global 

Health (GH) has never been greater. This report provides 

a summary of important contributions to addressing 

this urgency, conducted by worldwide partners with 

a common dedication to GH justice and equity. It is a 

testimony to contributors’ compassion, determination, 

and commitment to addressing healthcare disparities in 

low-resource settings. 

These pages emanate from an amazing team that has 

included the University of Vermont Larner College of 

Medicine since 2012. Each time I have visited with Dr. Majid 

Sadigh, the inaugural Christian J. Trefz Family Endowed 

Chair in Global Health, and his team, I have come away 

with continued admiration for those in attendance and 

renewed dedication to our special relationship with 

Nuvance Health. 

I am grateful for the many people who have supported our 

partnership in GH, particularly Dr. John Murphy, President 

and CEO of Nuvance Health, and of course Dr. Sadigh, for 

their friendship and leadership in these efforts. 

With the passing of the baton to Bulat Ziganshin, MD, 

PhD, the successor as Director of Global Health and the 

Christian J. Trefz Family Endowed Chair in Global Health, 

I am confident that Dr. Sadigh’s legacy of excellence in 

GH education, research, and collaborative intervention 

will continue. It is a fitting tribute to Dr. Sadigh that the GH 

Academy now bears his name, as it carries on his work. 

Richard L. Page, MD 

Dean of the University of Vermont Larner 

College of Medicine, U.S. 

I look forward to the ongoing accomplishments and 

impact that will result from our partnership with Nuvance 

Health. Together, we are making a difference. 


13

As I look back today at the year that has passed, I can’t help but 

smile and reflect fondly on several highlights. The gathering in 

June for the Global Health (GH) Conference was an invigorating 

meeting of hearts and minds that brought me inspiration and 

renewed commitment to our collective service in pursuit of 

justice and health equity. Seeing our colleagues share their 

work and perspectives, lean into dialog around global mental 

health, and create an empowerment model in GH was truly a 

highlight. The time we spent face-to-face and the opportunity 

to listen to so many inspiring and brilliant people is something 

I am incredibly grateful for. I am proud to be part of a program 

that has recognized the incredible value of people gathering 

together and making space for many voices to be heard. 

Mariah 

McNamara, MD, MPHMD 

Associate Director of the University of Vermont 

Larner College of Medicine Global Health 

Program, U.S. 

Assistant Department Chief and Associate 

Professor of Emergency Medicine at the 

University of Vermont Larner College of 

Medicine 

The warm embrace from the conference continued to feed 

forward to our students over their summer GH electives where 

they too experienced the importance of presence, listening, and 

reflection as they were welcomed into patient’s lives and stories 

as well as our friend’s hospitals, clinics, and homes. Students 

often tell me that this opportunity is what brought them to the 

University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine. 

I believe what we offer collectively is uniquely impactful for 

students developing their sense of purpose and professional 

identity as physicians. Personally, the time I have been fortunate 

to spend in GH has positively impacted my ability to maintain a 

broader perspective, see the value of leading with compassion 

and equanimity, and persistence even when the challenges 

seem insurmountable. 

Finally, I want to highlight the incredible career, vision, and 

inspiration that Dr. Sadigh shared with all of us. The naming of 

the Global Health Academy and the beautiful recognition and 

reception this past fall was a fitting tribute to a true citizen of 

the world. It is one of the greatest honors of my career to have 

worked with Dr. Sadigh, and by extension our entire GH family. 

I see the same passion, commitment, and incredible creative 

energy as Dr. Ziganshin and the many leaders across our 

program have continued to tend to the blossoming of the ideas 

and ideals that continue to bring us all together. 


2023 was the year that Dr. Majid Sadigh retired. Although I only 

had the pleasure of working with him for a few years, his example 

taught me many lessons. Dr. Sadigh led with passion, empathy, 

and humanism. He nurtured global friendships. He advocated for 

committed, bidirectional relationships with partner institutions. 

He supported good ideas financially and intellectually. He 

explored with curiosity, humility, and keen interest. He didn’t just 

imagine, but built his vision for Global Health (GH) education 

as a means to improve health worldwide. He was able to help 

others see and share his vision. 

It is so fitting that Dr. Sadigh was awarded the Velji Faculty 

Leader in GH Innovation by the Consortium of Universities for 

GH. He leaves behind a strong and committed GH education 

program for Nuvance Health in Connecticut and the Larner 

College of Medicine in Vermont. The GH Teaching Academy 

aptly bears his name. Thank you, Dr. Sadigh for your mentorship 

of me and your legacy gifts to so many! 

Andrea Green, MDCM, FAAP 

Professor of Pediatrics, Director of Pediatric 

Global Health, U.S. 

Director of the Pediatric New American Program 

at the University of Vermont Larner College of 

Medicine 


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Welcome Notes from 

American University of the 

Caribbean/Ross University School 

of Medicine Leadership 

As international medical schools, both American University 

of the Caribbean and Ross University School of Medicine 

wholeheartedly embrace the significance of exposing students 

to global views and healthcare practices. As institutions, we 

seek to increase access to medical education for people 

from a variety of backgrounds because when our healthcare 

professionals reflect the diversity of the communities they 

care for, those healthcare systems become more innovative 

and compassionate. Along those lines, our affiliation with the 

Nuvance Health Global Health (GH) Program has given our 

students significant hands-on opportunities within diverse 

healthcare systems across the world. 

Kimberly A. Kirkland, Psy.D.MD 

Senior Associate Dean of Student Affairs at 

American University of the Caribbean School of 

Medicine, Sint Maarten 

Currently the program provides motivated medical students 

with an introduction to GH through participation in U.S.-based 

didactics and experiential learning at six international sites. 

Ultimately, the program aims to inspire medical students 

interested in working with medically underserved populations 

around the globe, better prepare them for practice in lowresource 

settings, and train them to be future leaders in GH. 

During our long affiliation with Nuvance Health, and under 

the distinguished leadership and supervision of Drs. Bulat 

Ziganshin, Dilyara Nurkhametova, and Elina Mukhametshina, 

students have journeyed to the Dominican Republic, India, 

Russia, Thailand, Uganda, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe to train 

with a wide array of physicians dedicated to promoting human 

connection within local cultures and communities. Upon 

return from their host countries, students are beneficiaries 

of improved critical thinking and clinical skills and most often 

hold new and evolved views of healthcare. We are honored 

for the partnership with Nuvance Health and celebrate the 

fruitful collaboration as well as the growth of GH at both our 

institutions. 

Seeth Vivek, MD 

Associate Dean of Clinical Sciences at Ross 

University School of Medicine, Barbados 

The program’s unique elements align with our common goals 

of producing physician leaders who are resilient, collaborative, 

scientifically adept, and able to meet the needs of evolving 

populations and healthcare systems. 


The year 2023 stands out as a transformative milestone for our 

Global Health (GH) Program, marked by significant achievements 

and developments. We successfully resumed our international 

activities, facilitated full operation of the GH Electives program 

across three medical schools—the University of Vermont Larner 

College of Medicine, American University of the Caribbean 

School of Medicine, and Ross University School of Medicine—and 

welcomed GH Scholars from the Dominican Republic, Thailand, 

and Vietnam. We launched new initiatives throughout the year, 

including the Youth Academy for Latino Leaders, a collaborative 

effort with the Latinx community in Danbury, and the launch of a 

joint Master’s Degree Program with the University of Zimbabwe 

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. These endeavors 

underscore our commitment to expanding educational 

opportunities and program activities. 

Joyful and shared moments with our international partners 

characterized this year, as highlighted by the Second GH 

Conference where we had the opportunity to reunite, reconnect, 

and draw inspiration from each other. Witnessing the growth 

of our students and residents engaged in GH electives was 

particularly fulfilling, with their valuable insights, experiences, and 

meaningful interactions with local communities contributing to 

their development in GH. 

A bittersweet note marked the transition as Founding Director 

Dr. Majid Sadigh stepped down, passing the baton to Dr. Bulat 

Ziganshin as the new Director of GH. Dr. Sadigh’s legacy and 

contributions to the program, partnerships, and underserved 

communities worldwide are immeasurable. 

Dilyara 

Nurkhametova, MD, PhD 

Director of Operations in Global Health at the 

Nuvance Health Global Health Program, U.S. 

A significant highlight of the year reflecting Dr. Sadigh’s enduring 

legacy was the launch of the GH Academy. This initiative 

propels our program to new heights, uniting GH educators 

worldwide, providing essential knowledge, and creating learning 

opportunities globally to contribute to health equity. 

None of these achievements would have been possible without 

the support of our exceptional partners and colleagues worldwide: 

our GH Family. We extend heartfelt gratitude to each partner 

for offering exceptional educational experiences, unwavering 

support, and inspiring contributions to all our endeavors, including 

the GH Program and GH Academy. Together, we form a vibrant 

community driving impactful change. 

As we look ahead to 2024, we anticipate new achievements, 

projects, and activities fueled by the spirit of collaboration and 

dedication to GH. 


17

2023 was another successful year for the Nuvance Health Global 

Health Program. As I celebrate the completion of my third year 

with the program and this amazing team, I reflect back to my 

first week that can only be described as a glorious whirlwind. We 

are driven by a greater purpose. We are a program that truly 

focuses on the student as a whole person, healthcare equity, 

decolonization, and an unparalleled educational experience. I 

am filled with pride. 

Wendi Cuscina, MAS, CPM 

Manager of the Nuvance Health Global Health 

Program, U.S. 

Manager of Policy Governance for Nuvance 

Health 

Data Administrator, Kyruus 

In this report you will read how the program has continued to 

foster our long-time partnerships while increasing our presence 

in newer sites such as Thailand and Vietnam and developing 

new affiliations with Armenia and Puerto Rico. Our participants 

are comprised of students representing the University of 

Vermont Larner College of Medicine, American University of the 

Caribbean, and Ross University School of Medicine who ventured 

abroad, as well as junior faculty from our partner sites around 

the globe who rotated in Danbury and/or Norwalk Hospitals for 

clinical observerships under renowned mentorship and guidance. 

My financial accounting and overview can be found further into 

the report. 

These pages are full of excitement and success stories which 

would not be possible without our donors, supporters, and 

international as well as local partners. Your generosity allows 

us to continue striving towards delivering quality services and 

innovating new pathways into the future. 


It is a delight to share that we’ve successfully ticked off every 

item on our list in 2023. This year has been about navigating 

the post-COVID-19 landscape in international travel to 

provide our students with offline Global Health (GH) electives 

and improve our pre-departure orientation program for 

participants. Working closely with our global partners, we’ve 

reopened most of our GH sites—a rewarding feat that signals a 

return to normalcy for the GH Program. 

Establishing effective communication channels with partners 

worldwide has been key to ensuring smooth elective 

experiences for our students around the world. Within our 

dynamic team, our concerted efforts were channeled into 

enhancing pre-departure orientation for our students. The 

objective was clear: to not only equip them with knowledge 

on how to navigate different clinical settings, but also to 

foster intercultural communication skills and a profound 

understanding of the impact of different cultures on patient 

care. 

Our students had the chance to immerse themselves in the 

diverse cultural and healthcare environments in the Dominican 

Republic, India, Thailand, Uganda, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe, 

and I’m grateful for the enriching experiences they’ve had. 

Big thanks to our participants—thirty-five fourth-year medical 

students from American University of the Caribbean and 

Ross University School of Medicine—who have been a joy 

to work with, bringing inspiration, intelligence, and an openminded 

approach. Being part of their transformative journey 

towards becoming future health advocates and, hopefully, GH 

specialists has been a genuine pleasure. 

Elina Mukhametshina, MD 

Associate Director of the Global Health Program 

for American University of the Caribbean/Ross 

University School of Medicine, U.S. 

As we close this impactful chapter, my best wishes go out to all 

our partners, participants, program alumni, and my team who 

has become my second family. 

May the upcoming year bring more success, fulfillment, and 

peace. I eagerly anticipate the opportunities and developments 

that the forthcoming year holds. 


19

Reflecting on 2023, I find myself overwhelmed by the magnitude 

of our collective impact. Throughout the year, I witnessed 

firsthand the pivotal role of our program in shaping narratives, 

sparking engagement, and driving meaningful action in the 

realm of Global Health (GH). 

In September 2023, we bid farewell to our esteemed program 

leader Dr. Majid Sadigh, who had a most profound impact on our 

organization. His tenure was marked by unwavering dedication, 

visionary leadership, and a remarkable ability to inspire those 

around him. Through his guidance and mentorship, he cultivated 

a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration, shaping 

the future of our program and leaving an indelible legacy. 

Amanda Wallace 

Creative Director at the Nuvance Health Global 


His passion for our mission, coupled with his genuine care for 

each member of our team, was a constant source of motivation 

and inspiration. As we move forward, we will carry with us the 

invaluable lessons learned and the enduring spirit of optimism 

instilled by our retired leader, and we will gain new lessons and 

inspiration from his successor, Dr. Bulat Zinganshin. Dr. Sadigh 

will be deeply missed, but his impact will continue to resonate 

within our organization for years to come. 

For the past eight years, my role in the GH Program has been 

to craft visually inspiring designs in the hopes of igniting 

conversations and galvanizing support. Every project I take on 

becomes an opportunity to leverage aesthetics as a catalyst 

for change. Looking back, 2023 serves as a testament to the 

transformative power of design in advancing the mission of our 

program, inspiring me to continue harnessing my creative talents 

to drive positive impact in the years ahead. 

Many thanks to our generous donors and supporters. As we 

continue our efforts to promote health equity and build a 

brighter future for all, please know that your partnership remains 

invaluable to us. Together, we can create lasting change and 

transform the GH landscape. 


Years ago, my father took my hand and showed me this path. 

“Alice in Wonderland,” he called me as I began to process the 

world through his eyes: the injustice of one’s birthplace being the 

greatest indicator of health, often measured by years of life; the 

tragedy, beauty, pain, and connectedness; the vast network of 

humans doing their best to leave this world a little better than 

they found it; and the responsibility of those with privilege to use 

it meaningfully. He showed me that together, we can illuminate 

the path ahead as it unfolds, simultaneously out of our control 

and molded by our collective efforts. 

My father has been my guide, mentor, co-author, and coinvestigator. 

He has been my greatest champion. In my obscuring, 

difficult moments, he clasps my hand while leading with the torch, 

letting me feel the weight of it all before reminding me, if not my 

daughter, then who? On my more adventurous days, he watches 

as we tenuously switch places, our hands still joined but the torch 

clenched in my palm. He follows a breath or two behind as I trot 

and gallop, flame ablaze. Run ahead, I’ll keep the light here, he 

says when I’m feeling brave. He celebrates discoveries I make 

along the way, chasing new trails that emerge through my own 

processing. 

He has a way of always regrounding me in the feeling that there 

is more: more to what I am capable of. More to what I can learn. 

To what I can lead. To what I can give. To what I can create. To 

who I can be. I see this as one of his many strengths as a leader: 

his uncanny ability to see where we each uniquely can make a 

difference, and to hold us accountable to embodying that power. 

Mitra Sadigh 

Writer/Editor/Researcher at the Nuvance Health 

Global Health Program, U.S. 

Stony Brook University Renaissance School of 

Medicine, Class of 2024 

My message as we move forward with Dr. Sadigh, Emeritus and Dr. Bulat Ziganshin as our new director is to allow 

the fervent force of his belief to continue to push and elevate us. Collectively, there is more to what we are capable 

of discovering, giving, leading, and creating. Our voice matters, and with it we have the power to amplify those 

of our own, of one another, and of others whose skills the world desperately needs to hear. If not us, then who? 

Because every collective effort requires each individual to make a leap of faith. 

Reflecting on the countless accomplishments of this last year, I recall our program’s second appearance at the 

United Nations General Assembly, the official opening of the Global Health Academy, a well-crafted Global Health 

Bridge covering thought-provoking topics from advocacy to decolonization, and the peak of our robust eMagazine 

before it begins its transformation into an eJournal. Venturing into emergency medicine residency training, I am 

grateful for the amazing network of talented, creative, hard working, impassioned individuals from whom I am 

always learning, and the incredibly committed team that is leading the way following my father’s retirement. 

I look forward to witnessing the continued evolution of our program and collective work. With the skilled and 

creative leadership of Dr. Bulat Ziganshin who will inevitably guide us through new and impactful territories, let us 

keep growing. 


21

B 

Global Health 

PARTNER SITES 

Dominican Republic 

Puerto Rico 


Armenia 

India 

Thailand 

Vietnam 

Uganda 

Zimbabwe 

otswana 


23

ARMENIA 

National Institute of Health 

Partnership established in 2023 

Alexander Bazarchyan, MD, PhD 

Head of the International Cooperation Department at 

National Institute of Health of Armenia, Armenia 

National Institute of Health, named after academician Suren 

Avdalbekyan, is the leading medical university in Armenia. Its 

mission is to facilitate development of Armenia’s healthcare 

through establishment and implementation of professional 

education programs, clinical guidelines, healthcare policy 

documents, training of medical professionals, and cooperation 

with international organizations. 

Welcome Note from National 

Institute of Health Armenia 

Shushanik Isahakyan, BA, MA 

Head of the International Cooperation Department 

at National Institute of Health of Armenia, Armenia 

National Institutes of Health of Armenia is thrilled to be a part 

of the Global Health (GH) Program at Nuvance Health with 

the joint mission of advancing healthcare on a global scale. 

Our collaboration signifies a significant step towards fostering 

international partnerships and leveraging collective expertise 

to address pressing health challenges worldwide. Together, we 

embark on a journey towards enhancing healthcare access, 

promoting research, and ultimately improving health outcomes 

for communities around the globe. 

The synergies created by this collaboration hold promise for 

innovative solutions and impactful interventions that transcend 

borders. We look forward to the exchange of knowledge, 

resources, and best practices as we work together towards our 

shared goal of advancing GH equity. 


BOTSWANA 

University of Botswana 


The University of Botswana was established in 1982 

as the nation’s first institution of higher education, with 

the Faculties of Medicine and Health Sciences as well 

as its several affiliate sites standing as our domestic 

partner institution. University of Botswana offers GH 

Program participants enriching clinical experiences 

with exposure to multiple levels of healthcare with the 

opportunity to delve into the impact of culture on the 

provision of medical care. 

Welcome to the University of 

Botswana Faculty of Medicine 

A government-owned institution, the University of 

Botswana is the nation’s prime university. The Faculty 

of Medicine (FoM) trains doctors, nurses, and allied 

health professionals at the undergraduate and 

graduate levels. Established only fifteen years ago 

in a university that is forty-two years old, the FoM 

produces healthcare workers for Botswana’s small 

population of 2.7 million. 

Professor Vincent Setlhare 

Associate Professor of Family Medicine, and Head of the 

Department of Family Medicine and Public Health at the 

University of Botswana, Botswana 

Thanks to its location in a middle-income country, 

good governance, political stability, and the help of 

generous donors, the FoM inhabits a multilayered 

teaching environment that ranges from primary 

healthcare to secondary, tertiary, and quaternary 

care. It offers undergraduates and graduates holistic 

learning from a wide range of disease types and 

treatment options. Visiting students and faculty also 

have an excellent opportunity to experience the 

gentle culture of the people and one of the United 

Nations Heritage Sites: The Okavango Delta, a unique 

ecosystem where a river disappears into the desert, 

creating a beautiful environment of water, grass, 

trees, birds, and “the big five.” 


25

DOMINICAN 

REPUBLIC 

Universidad Iberoamericana 

School of Medicine 


The Dominican Republic is a beautiful country offering rich and expansive clinical 

experiences, including exposure to a wide diversity of clinical cases, astutely 

skilled and supportive staff across various clinics and hospitals, and high 

participation in community outreach programs. 

Founded in 1982, Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE) is a private nonprofit 

coeducational university in Santo Domingo. The most renowned medical school 

among eleven in the Dominican Republic, UNIBE is affiliated with several other 

institutions that exist as part of the Global Health Program including Asociación 

Instituto Dominicano de Cardiología (AIDC) and Hospital General Dr. Vinicio 

Calventi, and is the nation’s only fully bilingual university. 


Welcome to Universidad Iberoamericana 

(UNIBE) 

We are very pleased to be part of the Global Health (GH) consortium 

under the leadership of Nuvance Health. As an active partner, 

Universided Iboamericana is very proud to belong to this group of 

leaders in GH worldwide that allows participants to share experiences 

and learn from each other. 

Marcos Nuñez, MD, FICS, M.Ed 

Dean of the Medical School at Universidad lberoamericana (UNIBE), 


Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE) has proudly been a part of the 

Nuvance Global Health (GH) Program for eight years. In this time, we 

have had the opportunity to welcome twenty-eight energetic and 

enthusiastic students and physicians who have been remarkably 

passionate and motivated to help others and learn from our culture. 

We hope embarking on a GH elective in the Dominican Republic was an 

uplifting experience transcending boundaries and fostering personal 

and professional growth. As for us, these participants have enriched 

our medical school, campus, and clinical sites with their high spirit and 

drive. 

Loraine Amell Bogaert, MD 

Vice-Chancellor for Internationalization 

and Community Engagement at 

Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE), 


During this academic year, UNIBE has hosted medical students from 

American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine St. Maarten, 

Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, and Ross 

University School of Medicine. Throughout a six-week Clinical Rotation 

Observership Program, students are immersed in rich learning, 

collaboration, and cultural exchange, leaving an indelible mark on 

their journey toward becoming more empathetic and intercultural 

competent healthcare professionals. 

Working with the GH staff at Nuvance is seamless, and the application 

processes always go smoothly. We look forward to continuing to 

strengthen this partnership. 


27

INDIA 

Datta Meghe Institute of Higher 

Education and Research (DMIHER) 


Abhay Gaidhane, MD, PhD 

Dean (Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College); Director, School of Epidemiology & 

Public Health at Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research (DU), 

Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha 

Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research (DMIHER), our partner institution 

in India that is deemed to be University, is located in the central part of India in the state of 

Maharashtra. DMIHER is one of the nation’s prominent medical universities, conferred “Grade 

A” status by the Ministry of Human Resources Development of Government of India and 

“Grade A+” by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). The rural and 

super-specialty hospitals affiliated with the university cater to the population of nearby cities, 

towns, and villages. 


PUERTO RICO 

Medical Institution in Puerto Rico 


Jesus Casal, MD 

Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Puerto 

Rico School of Medicine, Chief of the Medical Intensive Care 

Unit at the Veteran’s Caribbean Care System in Puerto Rico, 

and Director of the Sleep Lab at Auxilio Mutuo Hospital, 

Puerto Rico 

Global Health In Puerto Rico 

Puerto Rico is one of the youngest sites of the Nuvance Global Health (GH) Program. 

We are working to create a partnership that allows medical students and residents to 

strengthen education, especially in diversity and inclusion, while promoting GH initiatives 

and collaborative research. We are developing collaborations with two of the four medical 

schools in Puerto Rico: Universidad Central del Caribe and The Ponce School of Medicine. 

We have already started planning an exchange of medical students with our neighbor, the 

Dominican Republic, and hope to expand to other sites in the near future. 


29

THAILAND 

Walailak University School of 

Medicine 


Formally established in 2007, Walailak University (WU) 

School of Medicine features a thoughtful curriculum that 

has been approved by the World Federation of Medical 

Education with an Educational Performance Excellence 

Standard. Situated in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, 

the center of southern tradition and culture, the university 

provides an ideal learning environment. Health centers 

as well as university-affiliated community and regional 

hospitals provide systematic healthcare from primary 

to tertiary levels to six million residents and ten million 

tourists in the area. Tropical and infectious diseases are 

the focus for participants interested in visiting Thailand. 

It also offers those seeking to learn about alternative 

medicine an opportunity to explore traditional Thai 

medicine. 


Welcome Note from Walailak University 


On the Eastern coast of the Thai peninsula is where you will find a young 

medical school with a high-spirited healthcare team and friendly, 

educational staff. Our brand-new hospital site is small but rapidly 

growing through excellence in research and patient care. Moreover, 

our comprehensive curriculum and community outreach programs 

offer a holistic approach to medicine, designed to equip tomorrow’s 

physicians with both the clinical acumen and the empathy required to 

excel in a Global Health landscape. 

Auemphon 

Mordmuang, MD, PhD 

Assistant Professor at Walailak University 

School of Medicine, Thailand 

By participating in our exchange program, students will have the 

opportunity to work alongside our distinguished faculty members, 

gain hands-on experience with patients, and connect with our vibrant 

university community. Cooperation between Walailak University and 

Nuvance Health has resulted in a series of enriching and transformative 

journeys together. We are excited to share our warm and beautiful 

medical school with you soon. 


31

UGANDA 

African Community Center for Social 

Sustainability (ACCESS) 


The African Community Center for Social Sustainability (ACCESS) 

is a community-based organization in Nakaseke District, Uganda 

dedicated to working with vulnerable groups in resource-limited 

settings through medical care, education, and economic empowerment. 

ACCESS cares for and supports people living with HIV-AIDS together 

with orphans and other vulnerable children. ACCESS receives over 

12,000 patient visits per year from all over the district for management 

of both communicable and non-communicable diseases. 

Estherloy Katali 

Managing Director of ACCESS, Uganda 

Welcome Note from ACCESS 

The African Community Center for Social Sustainability (ACCESS) 

has proudly facilitated international resident and medical student 

rotational programs in the Nakaseke District of Uganda for a 

remarkable decade. Our programs offer a multi-dimensional Global 

Health (GH) experience, blending insightful community engagements 

with a strong emphasis on cultural and medical immersion. We wish 

to express our sincere appreciation to all participants who have 

embraced these GH initiatives, particularly those who have chosen 

to journey to Uganda and enrich their understanding of healthcare in 

low-to-middle-income countries. 

Robert Kalyesubula, MD 

Founder of ACCESS, Uganda 

As Managing Director of ACCESS, I assure all prospective participants 

of our unwavering dedication to fostering successful, enriching, and 

all-encompassing GH experiences. Our promise is to stand by your 

side, collaboratively shaping a transformative journey that transcends 

borders and nurtures a deep appreciation for diverse healthcare 

practices and cultural perspectives. Thank you for being part of this 

remarkable endeavor. 


Makerere University College of Health Sciences 


Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) is affiliated with Makerere University, the oldest university 

in Uganda. Established in 2007, it is the oldest medical training university in East Africa, graduating medical and 

health professionals for over eighty years. The goal of the institution is to improve the health of the people of 

Uganda through innovative teaching, research, and provision of services responsive to societal needs. Mulago 

Hospital is a teaching hospital of MakCHS and has an official capacity of 1,790 beds, however it often hosts patient 

volumes twice its capacity. 

Welcome Note from Makerere University 

College of Health Sciences 

As higher institutions of learning embrace the importance of strategic 

partnerships, Makerere University College of Health Sciences 

(MakCHS) has continued to work together with Nuvance Health to train 

future Global Health (GH) leaders. The year began with celebrations as 

we witnessed the graduation of the first cohort of Ruggles Scholars 

at Makerere University. The three graduates are now providing mental 

health services to the Ugandan population. 

Susan Byekwaso, MM 

Coordinator of International Programs 

at Makerere University College of Health 

Sciences, Uganda 

The number of Ruggles scholars increased with three more scholars 

who bring on board new areas of research like “outcomes and factors 

associated with delirium among adult patients admitted to the Uganda 

Cancer Institute” and “prevalence of depression and associated 

factors among school-going adolescents with hearing impairment 

in central Uganda.” The faculty at Danbury Hospital and MakCHS 

are committed to working together to ensure that the new students 

complete their studies within the stipulated time. This will require Rudy 

Ruggles Scholars to attend more in-person and virtual meetings with 

psychiatry residents at Nuvance Health. 

With a visit from three nurses from Nuvance Health to MakCHS, there is a reaffirmed commitment for a Global 

Nursing collaboration. Nurses reviewed the curriculum and teaching facilities in the Department of Nursing, and 

took the first steps in collaboration towards responsiveness to the needs of the global community. In addition to 

nursing, six students from Ross University School of Medicine undertook GH electives at MakCHS. 

At MakCHS we are very grateful for the support provided for the training of scholars. Funding in the amount of 

$27,000 USD in 2023 translated to eleven scholars at graduate level in Psychiatry, Emergency Medicine, and 

Public Health, resulting in enhanced capacity to respond to GH threats in different specialties. We will continue to 

work with the new leadership team led by the Director of the Nuvance Health GH Program, Dr. Bulat Ziganshin, to 

support the scholars and create a conducive environment for collaborative research between faculty and students 

as we build for the future. 


33

St. Francis Naggalama Hospital 


A 100-bed rural facility in Uganda serving a population of 300,000, St. Francis Naggalama Hospital has been a 

teaching hospital to medical students from all over the world. The faculty includes Ugandan physicians with 

specialties in Obstetrics/Gynecology, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and General Surgery. The highlight of this site is 

Naggalama Hospital’s Palliative Outreach Program which includes a team of specially-trained nurses and spiritual 

leaders with intermittent physician input providing access to medical care for rural populations. 


Gratitude for 2023 and Planning for 2024 

St. Francis Naggalama Hospital takes immense pride in its exemplary 

performance during the Fiscal Year 2022/23, achieving a perfect 

score of 100% in the Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau (UCMB) Annual 

Accreditation process and earning a well-deserved five-star rating. 

This accomplishment is accompanied by a noteworthy trend of 

recovery in hospital performance, financial stability, and successful 

implementation of the Computed Tomography (CT) scan investment, 

marking significant strides in healthcare provision. 

Recognizing the need for sustainable financial growth, the hospital is 

committed to exploring alternative financing mechanisms to fortify 

its income base and enhance staff remuneration. The Board’s overall 

performance throughout the Financial Year 2022/23 was notably 

commendable, marked by unwavering dedication and vigilance 

exhibited by the Hospital Management and the entire staff. A roundthe-clock 

healthcare service encompassing promotive, preventive, 

curative, and rehabilitative care continued throughout the year. 

Sister Jane 

Frances Nakafeero 

Director of St. Francis Naggalama Hospital, 

Uganda 

Most outstanding was the Orthopedic Department which achieved significant milestones, spearheading the 

country’s inaugural arthroplasty camp, generously supported by the German fraternity. Notably, the department 

celebrated its first successful spine surgery in Naggalama, marking a pivotal moment in our capability to conduct 

a comprehensive range of orthopedic surgeries, including spine procedures. The department takes pride in its fully 

functional c-arm machine and a recently installed CT scan, pivotal advancements that have substantially enhanced 

patient care and diagnostic capabilities. 

The hospital’s support services play a crucial role in its seamless operation, encompassing transportation, finance, 

information technology, maintenance, cleaning, security, human resources, laundry, guest house, and meticulous 

care of the gardens. These integrated services contribute to the hospital’s overall efficiency while enhancing the 

overall experience for both patients and staff, embodying a commitment to excellence in healthcare provision. 


We are grateful for the invaluable contributions of both local and international partners, and the opportunity to 

connect with students from the Global Health (GH) fraternity who stayed among us, sharing knowledge and visiting 

our sick and needy in the palliative care service. 

Aligned with our strategic plan, significant milestones were achieved including acquisition of a CT scan, upgrading 

of the physiotherapy unit, and initiation of the Non-Communicable Disease Wellness Clinic specifically catering to 

patients with hypertension and diabetes. As we express gratitude for past support, we look ahead to defending 

and further enhancing our position in the upcoming year, affirming our ongoing commitment to excellence and the 

well-being of our community. 

Looking forward, the hospital is poised to strengthen existing partnerships, build new ones, explore alternative 

financing avenues, embrace new technology for improved systems—especially in patient records—and intensify 

marketing strategies to enhance visibility in 2024. This forward-looking approach reflects the hospital’s commitment 

to continuous innovation and the delivery of exceptional healthcare services to the community it serves. We remain 

committed to a collaborative implementation of the GH agenda in 2024. 

Elina Mukhametshina, Jerusalem, Palestinian Artist 


35

St. Stephens Hospital 


A private, non-profit organization founded in July 1987 by St. Stephen’s Church of Uganda Mpererwe, St. Stephen’s 

Hospital is located in Mpererwe Village in Kampala. Soon after its inception, the hospital was recognized and 

is officially registered as a not-for-profit hospital and a member of the Uganda Medical Protestant Bureau. It 

receives conditional and public health grants from the Ugandan Government, through the Kampala Capital City 

Authority. The hospital also serves as a Makerere University College of Health Sciences Center for Community- 

Based Education, Research and Service (COBERS) training. 

Global Health at St. Stephen’s Hospital 

The collaboration between the Nuvance Health Global Health 

Program and St. Stephen’s Hospital has reached its seventh year. 

The main aim of enriching medical education programs in the 

context of Global Health is being realized. We were happy to receive 

three medical students from University of Vermont Larner College 

of Medicine—Shrey Patel, Ella Ansell, and Christopher Kruglik—along 

with our friend Dr. Bemen Habashi. 

Student involvement in a variety of hospital activities including 

outpatient care, ward rounds, surgeries, laboratory, and outreach 

exposed them to a wide array of learning opportunities. Sharing 

experiences with staff members through continuing medical 

education sessions, discussion of difficult cases, and daily 

interactions including sharing meals benefited staff, students, 

and ultimately patients alike. Students contributed to community 

health through health promotion and disease prevention initiatives, 

including delivery of a presentation about asthma. They visited 

and interacted with staff at our partner health units including the 

rehabilitation center for disabled children in Mpererwe community 

as well Joint Medical Store and Mildmay to get a feel of the Ugandan 

health system. 

Catherine Nakibuule, MD 

Director of the Global Health Program at 

St. Stephen’s Hospital, Uganda 

I am amazed by the enthusiasm, resilience, and hunger for knowledge 

demonstrated by these participants as they navigate the challenges 

of culture shock due to the stark differences between our respective 

systems and practices of medicine. We at St. Stephen’s Hospital 

appreciate the Nuvance Health Global Health Program for the 

opportunity to host students, and will always open our doors as a 

learning center for them. We look forward to future collaborations. 


A Welcome to Nabacwa Guest House 

For a Homestay Global Health 

Experience 

Christine and I are privileged to be making a 

contribution to efforts to address the socio-economic 

factors that limit access to healthcare around the 

world. We gladly welcome and host Global Health (GH) 

participants at Nabacwa Guest House, an extension 

of our home. We offer what is popularly known as the 

“Homestay Model in GH.” 

Professor Reverend 

Samuel Luboga MD, PhD, DSci 

Director of the Partnership at St. Stephen’s Hospital, Global 

Health Information Center, and Homestay Model, Uganda 

In a mutually beneficial fashion, we welcome and 

involve participants that come to us and integrate into 

our lives. While they each enjoy a private room kitted 

with personal comfort facilities, they are welcome to 

participate in every activity that takes place at our 

home. Having meals together gives us an opportunity 

to get to know each other better. We share stories, 

and hence culture, and help explain any unfamiliar 

experiences. Should they witness traumatic incidents, 

especially in the hospital, we debrief with them and 

offer psycho-social support. 

They are invited to join us in our moments of worship 

at home and in our local church on Sundays, if they so wish. The first time they accompany us to church, they are 

introduced to and given a chance to greet the congregation. Socio-cultural events, such as Okwanjula (when a 

girl introduces her “husband-to-be” to her family) are colorful and culturally educational. Their predecessors were 

happy to attend and participate, fully clad in our traditional wear, courtesy of Christine. 

Meanwhile, they are requested to prepare and deliver a health education session on a topic of interest to the 

community. Previous topics have included the mental health gap, menopause, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, 

and chronic obstructive airway diseases. 

Before they return to the U.S., they are invited to visit our small farm, sitting on only five acres, where we grow 

matoke and rear fish, and more recently, a few goats. The purpose of this visit is for participants to plant a tree, and 

thereby leave roots behind. This is our shared effort to start addressing the climate change crisis that threatens the 

very survival of planet Earth. And finally, we host a “Meet-the-Community Dinner” with community leaders. 

Please allow me to extend to all participants, our heartfelt and warm welcome. 


37

VIETNAM 

Cho Ray Hospital 


Established in 1900, Cho Ray Hospital is a general hospital 

directly under the Ministry of Health and the largest 

hospital in South Vietnam. It is the referral center for thirtyseven 

cities and provinces in South Vietnam, including Ho 

Chi Minh City. Today, the hospital has 1,800 beds and more 

than 3,500 staff members and serves as a tertiary center 

for patient referrals from both underserved and affluent 

communities. It also hosts students and residents from 

domestic and international partners medical schools. 

Hoang Lan Phuong, MD 

Head of International Affairs, ChoRay Hospital, 

Vietnam 

University of Medicine and 

Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City 


A large-scale, traditional health training institution with 

more than seventy-five years since its establishment, 

University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City 

(UMP) is one of Vietnam’s largest public universities in 

the field of health. From only three majors of medicine, 

pharmacy, and odonto-stomatology, UMP has now 

developed all majors in the group of health sciences such as 

general medicine, traditional medicine, dentistry, preventive 

medicine, pharmacy, bachelor of nursing, bachelor of 

midwifery, bachelor of medical technology, and bachelor 

of public health with dozens of undergraduate programs 

and hundreds of postgraduate programs including PhD, 

master, specialty level I doctor, specialty level II doctor, and 

resident physician. 

Uyen Tran, MD 

Site Coordinator, ChoRay Hospital, Vietnam 


ZIMBABWE 

University of Zimbabwe Faculty of Medicine and 

Health Sciences 


Our partner in Zimbabwe is University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences (UZCHS), the nation’s only medical 

school. Parirenyatwa Hospital, a 2,000-bed facility with many satellite clinics, labs, and hospitals, and Harare 

Hospital, a 1,200-bed facility nearby, serve as teaching hospitals for UZCHS, with shuttle transportation between 

them. Participants are exposed to a diverse array of conditions and tropical diseases in the medical center. The 

site offers particularly strong education and training in HIV medicine, as many patients with advanced HIV and HIVrelated 

diseases are cared for at university hospitals. 

University of Zimbabwe Faculty of Medicine 

and Health Sciences 

Following the hiatus in Global Health (GH) visits due to the COVID-19 

pandemic, our first visitors, two fourth-year medical students from 

American University of the Caribbean and Ross University, arrived 

on January 9th. Another cohort of three medical students from 

University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine (UVMLCOM) 

arrived on January 30th and left on March 10th. Participants were 

accommodated in a two-bedroom flat as well as in the main medical 

student rooms, spending time together and sharing cooking facilities 

in the main visitor’s flat. 

Professor Chiratidzo E Ndhlovu, 

M Med Sci (Clin Epi), FRCP 

Director of the Global Health Program at 

University of Zimbabwe Faculty of Medicine 

and Health Sciences, Zimbabwe 

Students hopped around from the Internal Medicine wards to other 

disciplines such as Pediatrics and Obstetrics/Gynecology. They 

undertook the visitors’ pilgrimage to Victoria Falls and even managed 

to get to a game drive in the Chobe National Park in Botswana via the 

Zambezi River. 

The downside to 2023 was the loss of Mr. Paza, the driver who 

was well-known to our visitors for greeting them at the airport and 

showing them around the campus, to local shops, and to the Medical 

and Dental Practitioners of Zimbabwe offices to collect practicing 

certificates. 

For the first time since the medical school opened, our faculty has a female Dean, Dr. Fiona Makoni who will be 

supported by a new team of administrators that will help us with GH visits. Thus the Zimbabwe site will be coordinated 

by a female-led team. 

Dr. Makoni and Professor Ndhlovu attended the GH Anniversary meeting in June 2023 at Danbury, supported by 

Nuvance Health. She also returned in December 2023 as one of the inaugural fellows in the Masters in Medical 

Education which will be co-administered by University of Zimbabwe and UVMLCOM. 

We thank Dr. Majid Sadigh for reaching out to us in 2012 and choosing Zimbabwe as one of the GH sites and 

fostering our continued participation in this network. We wish him a restful retirement and look forward to continuing 

this productive relationship under the leadership of Dr. Bulat Ziganshin who is not a stranger to us! 


39

Transformation of the 

Global Health Program 


Executive Director of the Nuvance 

Health Global Health Program, U.S. 

The year 2023 marks a significant milestone in Global Health (GH) at Nuvance Health: the launch 

of the Majid Sadigh, MD GH Academy. How did we get to this point? 

The GH Program at Danbury Hospital (later Nuvance Health) was established in 2012 by 

Founding Director Dr. Majid Sadigh. This was done in partnership with the University of Vermont 

Larner College of Medicine (UVMLCOM), the students of which were undergoing core clinical 

rotations at Danbury Hospital (the Connecticut campus). In many ways, it was the interest of 

UVMLCOM students in GH that was the impetus towards establishment of the Nuvance Health- 

UVMLCOM GH Program. 


The year 2023 marks a significant milestone in Global 

Health (GH) at Nuvance Health: the launch of the Majid 

Sadigh, MD GH Academy. How did we get to this point? 

The GH Program at Danbury Hospital (later Nuvance 

Health) was established in 2012 by Founding Director 

Dr. Majid Sadigh. This was done in partnership with 

the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine 

(UVMLCOM), the students of which were undergoing 

core clinical rotations at Danbury Hospital (the 

Connecticut campus). In many ways, it was the interest of 

UVMLCOM students in GH that was the impetus towards 

establishment of the Nuvance Health-UVMLCOM GH 

Program. 

From its inception, the Nuvance Health GH Program was 

always focused on GH education and using education 

as a sustainable means to improve clinical outcomes. 

The first major goal for the new GH Program was to 

establish partnerships with several international partner 

sites—in Uganda, Dominican Republic, Zimbabwe, and 

Russia, with other sites such as Vietnam, Thailand, India, 

and Armenia joining later. Importantly, all international 

partnerships were based on the following main founding 

principles: mutual respect and reciprocity, cultural 

sensitivity, bi-directionality, equity and inclusivity, 

and sustainability. A memorandum of understanding 

outlining the broad terms of the partnership was signed 

with each site. 

These international partnerships made the Nuvance 

Health GH Program uniquely positioned to offer sixweek-long 

GH electives to medical students. This was 

first offered only to students from UVMLCOM, but 

since 2015-2016 students from two Caribbean medical 

schools, American University of the Caribbean and Ross 

University School of Medicine, also started participating 

in these electives. 

In the spirit of bidirectionality of the partnerships with 

international sites, junior faculty from each site traveled 

to the U.S. and were hosted by Nuvance Health as 

GH Scholars to train in their fields of clinical specialty 

towards the greater mission of capacity building. 

Under Dr. Sadigh’s keen and enthusiastic leadership, 

the GH Program quickly outgrew its initial founding 

goals of being an exchange program for students and 

faculty. The variety of educational activities, research, 

advocacy, and policy influence work that was being 

done through the GH Program made it clear that the 

program had evolved so much that the launch of the 

GH Academy was the next natural step of developing 

GH initiatives. Please see the beautiful and passionate 

note written by Dr. Sadigh (below) on the birth of the GH 

Academy. 

The present structure of GH at Nuvance Health is 

illustrated in the figure below with distinct areas of 

responsibility between the GH Program and GH 

Academy. 


41

Welcome to New Members of the 

GLOBAL HEALTH TEAM 

The year 2023 marks a transformative period for the Nuvance Health Global Health Program, bringing about 

several significant changes in program leadership. We extend a warm welcome to new team members, celebrate 

the promotions of longstanding colleagues, and express heartfelt gratitude and farewell to those whose significant 

contributions have played a pivotal role in the program’s existence and thriving. 

Dr. Majid Sadigh, Founder and former Director of the Nuvance Health Global 

Health (GH) Program, has retired after years of dedicated service in the field 

of GH. A distinguished infectious disease specialist, Dr. Sadigh has been 

globally recognized for his expertise and dedicated his career to advancing 

health equity on a global scale. 

Under Dr. Sadigh’s guidance, the Nuvance Health GH Program achieved 

remarkable growth and development. His visionary leadership fostered 

unprecedented growth of the program, marked by transformative partnerships 

with international and local GH sites. His commitment to nurturing bidirectional 

partnerships, grounded in friendship and mutual respect, has been pivotal. His 

initiatives, including capacity building, site development, scholarships, and 

mentorship, have elevated the program to a pinnacle of educational and 

healthcare excellence. 


Founding Director of the Global 

Health Program and Global Health 

Academy at Nuvance Health, U.S. 

Establishing partnerships with numerous international and local GH sites, 

Dr. Sadigh engaged over three hundred students and residents in GH 

electives. The program seamlessly operated through the challenging times 

of the COVID-19 pandemic, successfully delivering an online GH course to 

more than 1,000 students. Dozens of GH Scholars from partner sites visited 

Nuvance Health, participating in courses and clinical rotations, and enriching 

capacity-building efforts within their home institutions. Annually, the program 

showcased its achievements at international conferences, such as the 

Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) and the United Nations 

General Assembly (UNGA). 

Dr. Sadigh’s dedication to education is exemplified by the creation of the 

GH Academy, an innovative hub and international network for healthcare 

professionals and educators empowering future GH leaders and ensuring 

equitable educational opportunities. 

Dr. Sadigh leaves an immeasurable legacy, reflected in the lives of countless 

mentees he has empowered. His commitment to empowering individuals to 

create positive change in their communities has inspired generations and will 

continue to do so. His contributions have left an indelible mark on GH, inspiring 

future generations of healthcare professionals. As we look to the future, we 

aim to carry forward and build upon Dr. Sadigh’s remarkable work and legacy. 



Executive Director of the Nuvance Health Global Health Program, U.S. 

Effective September 2023, Dr. Bulat Ziganshin has stepped into the role 

of the Executive Director for Nuvance Health Global Health (GH) Program. 

An Associate Research Scientist in the Department of Surgery, Section of 

Cardiac Surgery at Yale University School of Medicine, and Research Director 

of the Aortic Institute of Yale-New Haven Hospital, Dr. Ziganshin brings rich 

experience to his new role. His current research is focused on studying the 

diseases of the thoracic aorta, their natural history, genetics/genomics, and 

surgical treatment. 

Dr. Ziganshin received his Medical Doctor (MD) Degree from Kazan State 

Medical University (Kazan, Russia) in 2007 followed by clinical training in 

General Surgery through an Internship program (2008) and a two-year 

clinical residency program in Cardiovascular Surgery in (2010), both at the 

Department of Surgical Diseases # 2 of Kazan State Medical University. In April 

2017, Dr. Ziganshin was awarded a PhD degree in Pharmacology from Kazan 

State Medical University. He is also currently enrolled as a graduate student 

in Genetics and Development at Columbia University (expected graduation in 

2024). 

Dr. Ziganshin has a long-lasting interest in GH. From 2006 until 2015, he was 

employed as the Senior Officer for International Medical Exchange programs 

at the GH Center of Kazan State Medical University. Since 2016, he has directed 

the GH Elective Program for American University of the Caribbean and Ross 

University School of Medicine, furthering curriculum development, research 

projects, and program growth. We warmly welcome Dr. Bulat Ziganshin and 

look forward to the continued progress and achievements he will bring to the 

GH Program and Academy. 


43

Dilyara Nurkhametova, MD, PhD 

Director of Operations in Global Health at the Nuvance Health 


Dilyara Nurkhametova, MD, PhD, is a medical professional with 

a strong background in medicine and Global Health (GH). As of 

January 2024, Dr. Nurkhametova holds the position of Director 

of Operations in GH, where she effectively manages the dayto-day 

operational functions of the GH Program, ensuring its 

smooth and efficient performance. 

Graduating with honors from Kazan State Medical University 

(KSMU, Russia) in 2013, she pursued extensive clinical training, 

including an Internship in Internal Diseases and a two-year 

Clinical Immunology and Allergology residency at KSMU. Dr. 

Nurkhametova furthered her academic journey in the field of 

neuroimmunology, earning a PhD in Molecular Medicine from 

the University of Eastern Finland in April 2020. 

From her student years, Dr. Nurkhametova’s passion for GH 

and medical education drove her to complete clinical rotations 

in diverse countries such as Israel, Czech Republic, United 

Kingdom, and Uganda. Since 2011, she has actively contributed 

to international medical education, initially coordinating student 

exchanges at KSMU. Joining the Nuvance Health GH Program 

in 2016, she started as the GH electives coordinator for AUC 

and RUSM students and later served as the Assistant Director, 

overseeing various GH program components, including hosting 

international GH scholars, academic and research activities, 

and GH elective programs for medical students. 

With over ten years of experience in international and GH 

elective programs for medical students, Dr. Nurkhametova 

brings valuable expertise to the GH initiatives at Nuvance Health. 


Swapnil Parve, MD, PhD 

Manager of the Nuvance Health Majid Sadigh, MD Global Health 

Academy, U.S. 

Dr. Parve possesses extensive field experience and is dedicated 

to making a difference. As Director of the Nuvance Health Majid 

Sadigh, MD Global Health (GH) Academy, he plays a pivotal 

role in shaping impactful initiatives at the Nuvance Health GH 

Program. 

His journey began with obtaining an MD with Honors from 

Kazan State Medical University, followed by immersive training 

in General Medicine in India. After completing his Internal 

Medicine residency in 2014, Dr. Parve became a Fellow of the 

Western Connecticut Health Network GH Program, expanding 

his understanding of GH challenges. 

In 2019, he established a partnership between Nuvance Health 

and Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education & Research 

(DMIHER) in India, aiming to enhance healthcare delivery. Dr. 

Parve’s expertise in cardiology, evident in his board certification 

in 2020 and a Ph.D. in Cardiology in 2023, further strengthens his 

contributions. 

Beyond clinical responsibilities, Dr. Parve has played a pivotal 

role in GH education, co-founding elective programs and serving 

as an Associate Director of GH. His efforts include developing 

a multidisciplinary GH education pathway and holding adjunct 

faculty positions. 


45


GLOBAL HEALTH ACADEMY 

The Birth of the Global Health Academy 

“There could be no justice without fair opportunities for all. Justice demands 

the protection of those fair opportunities.” - John Rawls 


Founding Director of the Global 

Health Program and Global Health 

Academy at Nuvance Health, U.S. 

As my experience in Global Health (GH) grew, the surest path to positively 

impacting patient care through medical education at home and in resourcelimited 

communities became clear: enhancing and utilizing the resources 

available to the Nuvance Health GH Program while following John Rawls’s 

philosophy of social justice. I recognized that our greatest resource and pride 

is our faculty members here at home and all over the world in more than 

twenty institutions in nine countries; our collaborators, partners, and friends 

who believe in the power of medical education to transform the landscape 

of healthcare systems. The first crucial step toward this transformation was 

unifying these resources toward a greater whole. Thus, the idea of the GH 

Academy was born. 

We first needed to identify a means of connecting our vast and diverse faculty which consist of individuals who 

work in our partner sites as well as alumni who were active participants of our program. Our communication 

platforms, namely the GH Diaries blog and eMagazine, provided a scaffolding on which our program members 

could get to know one another through their activities, stories, and reflections. Meanwhile, our annual GH Days 

brought our members into one physical space where they could deepen their connections and speak freely about 

their passions and future collaborative endeavors. Through these means, a collective voice emerged. 

To build an army of healthcare leaders without borders—a multinational group of individuals prepared to travel 

among countries towards the enhancement of medical education—we also required financial resources. The many 

stems of our program, including our communications platforms, annual reports, annual GH Days and conferences, 

GH grand rounds, and the GH Foundation all spread the concept of a GH Academy and attracted generous donors 

from the community to financially energize it. 


With their gifts, we now have the budget to create robust curricula, send educators around the world where they are 

needed, invite speakers to be featured at the GH Academy, and host and support those who want to learn more 

about clinical and basic sciences, medical education, and research methodology. We hope we can be instrumental 

in creating a thoughtfully crafted education and training through in-person educational sessions, virtual interactive 

sessions and workshops, and high-quality remote modules that will be made available to a greater community 

remotely. We additionally established a joint master’s degree in health professions between Nuvance Health and 

University of Zimbabwe—a model we are hoping to replicate in research methodology as well as artificial intelligence 

with other partner institutions. 

The GH Academy has been created with the intent of connecting not only with our GH family but also with local 

communities. In this vein, we have extended the GH Academy to academically promising high school students from 

the Latinx community in Danbury, an initiative we hope to broaden to reach other underserved communities from 

all backgrounds. 

It has been awe-inspiring to witness the GH Academy be born to fruition and take its first steps towards becoming 

a vibrant hub of ingenuity, creativity, humanism, and low-to-middle-income country collaborations with resources 

available to anyone, anywhere towards our collective mission of closing the health equity gap through the nurturing 

of GH advocates and empowered educators. 

Mission and Vision of the 

GLOBAL HEALTH ACADEMY 

Mission 

Our mission is to educate and empower the next generation of 

Global Health leaders worldwide and advance the cause of health 

equity. 

Vision 

Our vision is to improve patient care by enhancing medical education 

at home and around the world. 


47

Global Health Academy 

EXECUTIVE BOARD 

Aparna Oltikar, MD, currently serves as the Chair of the Executive Board. 

She is the Vice President of Medical Affairs and Chairman of the Department of 

Medicine at Danbury and New Milford Hospitals of Nuvance Health. Dr. Oltikar 

has been and is a true supporter of GH at Nuvance. She has accompanied and 

supervised medical students and residents in the Dominican Republic as well 

as Zimbabwe and Arizona. She has been instrumental in hosting international 

scholars at Nuvance Health. In addition to her role as the Chair of the Board, Dr. 

Oltikar is also the representative of the faculty of Nuvance Health. 

John Murphy, MD, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Nuvance 

Health. Dr. Murphy has been a keen believer in GH from its inception, initially 

at Danbury Hospital and Western Connecticut Health Network, and now at 

Nuvance Health. In 2012 together with Dr. Sadigh, they formed a vision for GH 

and from that, the GH Academy was born. 

Nelson Sewankambo, MD, is Professor Emeritus at the College of Health 

Sciences, Makerere University (Uganda). Professor Sewankambo is the 

immediate past Principal of Makerere University College of Health Sciences. 

He was among the first to recognize and study HIV/AIDS when it was a newly 

recognized entity, and has extensively published on this. Professor Sewankambo 

is one of the most respected physicians, academicians, and medical researchers 

in Africa; a recognized authority in GH with leadership positions in the Consortium 

of Universities for Global Health. For many years, Professor Sewankambo has 

been a true supporter of our GH Program and we are thrilled that he has agreed 

to represent our International Partners on the Executive Board. 

Grace Linhard is the Chief Development Officer of Nuvance Health. Grace is 

an enthusiastic supporter of the GH Academy. She leads the Foundations Team 

at Nuvance Health and is instrumental in connecting with our generous donors 

who make the work in GH happen. Grace’s leadership ensures that our plans and 

ideas for the GH Academy can be fulfilled. 


Finally, on the Executive Board we have two representatives 

of our major donors, the generosity of whom has been 

critically important for the establishment of the GH 

Academy: 

· Ms. Anne Lise Almira representing the Almira Family. 

· Mrs. Eva Trefz, representing the Trefz family 

Bulat A. Ziganshin, MD, PhD, Executive Director of the GH Academy. 

The representative from the nursing division has not yet been selected. 

The Executive Board meets seasonally to review ongoing projects and progress 

with Executive Director Dr. Bulat Ziganshin. The Executive Board’s inaugural 

meeting took place on October 17, 2023. 


49

Ribbon-Cutting and Official Launch of 

The Majid Sadigh, MD 


On October 11, 2024, the new space for the Majid Sadigh, MD Global Health (GH) Academy was officially launched 

at 92 Locust Avenue in Danbury. The formal ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by: 

• John Murphy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nuvance Health 

• Majid Sadigh, MD, Founding Director of the GH Academy 

• Grace Linhard, Chief Development Officer of Nuvance Health 

• Mr. and Mrs. Christian Trefz, major donors to the GH Academy 

• Bulat Ziganshin, MD, Executive Director of GH at Nuvance Health 

• Swapnil Parve, MD, Manager of the GH Academy 



51

Global Health Academy: 

FACULTY MEMBERS 


One of the main goals of the Global Health (GH) Academy is to nurture and support “Educators Without Borders”, 

i.e. experts in biomedical fields, primarily from low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs), who can teach courses and 

implement curricula upon request of other partner institutions to identify gaps and address site-specific needs 

anywhere in the world, most notably in other LMICs. 

At present, the GH Academy has recruited fifty-five faculty members with the purpose of training highly-qualified, 

carefully-selected matriculants with essential GH competencies including ethics, humility, and knowledge of various 

healthcare and education systems; nonclinical GH-related fields including anthropology and public health; cultural 

competencies including cross-cultural navigation and cultural relativity; and skills such as grant and manuscript 

writing. This Academy is to become an exemplary center to create an empowerment model in GH, which would stand 

as a comprehensive hub for burgeoning creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration. The Academy is dedicated 

to connecting people around the world in the joint mission of reducing the burden of disease and protecting the 

human right to health in the world’s most vulnerable populations via enhancement of health education, capacity 

building, and LMIC-LMIC collaboration. By elevating GH to an Academy, we acknowledge and support its essential 

place within the global community. 

The GH Academy’s faculty are an army of mobile, multinational educators who connect the specific health education 

needs of one community to the available resources of another place. This philosophy ensures that the resources of 

LMICs align with the needs of those countries, and that LMICs can empower each other towards greater capacity 

building of human resources and ultimately, health equity. 


53


Written by Lisa Buffengton 

Catalyst Spring/Summer 2023 

https://www.flipsnack.com/E87C6CCC5A8/catalyst-spring-summer-2023/full-view.html 


A Primer in Global Health 

A curriculum to familiarize individuals interested in Global Health has been created by the members of the Global 

Health Academy. 

A Primer in Global Health https://globalhealthprogram.wixsite.com/website 


55

Global Health 

YOUTH ACADEMY PROJECTS 

Youth Academy for Latino 

Leaders 

Since 2023, I have been coordinating and teaching a summer 

academy called the Youth Academy for Latino Leaders 

(YALL) for Latino high school students from low-resource 

households. The project was to be created and carried out 

by the Dominican Community Center with support from the 

Nuvance Global Health Academy. 

The YALL program started with six students who had 

just finished middle school to move on to high school with 

the goal of introducing them to life skills such as financial 

literacy, leadership skills, and basic health knowledge that 

many of their peers have the opportunity to learn but they 

are often deprived of attaining. Four weeks of engagement 

with students, facilitators, and other members made it hard 

to say goodbye at the end of the program 

Javier Ricon 


Medicine, Class of 2025, U.S. 

Shaila Rodriguez, a current student, noted “What fascinated 

me the most about the program was the power to develop 

new skills or knowledge. If it hadn’t been for this program, I probably would have stayed home bored.” Sadly, 

the lack of these skills can have a rippling effect through generations. If we don’t have the opportunity 

to learn these skills, we can’t pass them onto the ones that come after us. Thus a cycle of inequality is 

created and perpetuated. We aimed to break that cycle. 

I knew the task would be challenging, and in the end, it exceeded all my expectations not only in difficulty 

but also in the sense of accomplishment and the number of surprises. Surprise from the insight many of 

the young students brought to the group. I can easily recall how difficult it was to be their age, and the 

trauma of the transition from middle school to high school as a minority first-generation student. If your 

parents haven’t had the opportunity to have that experience, it’s unlikely that they can help you navigate 

its complexities. It was difficult to be a teenager 20 years ago. It is only fair to say that it is many orders 

of magnitude more complex and difficult today. The pressure teenagers must deal with from their peers, 

social media culture insisting that their lives be perpetually recorded and broadcasted, and expectations 

from their parents can amount to a Sisyphean task. And yet, students continue to surprise me with how 

bravely they continue walking through that minefield. 


When designing the curriculum for the summer 

academy, all members of the Dominican Community 

Center agreed that this barrier could easily be broken 

by providing even just one example of someone who 

was able to achieve something that as young students, 

we couldn’t have dreamt of. In the end, we didn’t find 

just one lecturer who was of a minority background. 

All the lecturers were minority community leaders and 

business owners who volunteered their time because 

they believed in our mission. 

We hope to continue to welcome these students back 

during the entirety of their high school careers, and 

ideally accept a new class of high school freshman 

next year. Given what we were able to achieve in 

twenty-four hours of instruction, in four days spread 

out over four weeks in the summer, I’m excited to 

see what these students can accomplish over the 

next four years. We will continue to strive to create a 

class of community leaders that will better represent 

the Danbury community, and thus be able to identify 

and find solutions for issues within the community. I 

wholeheartedly believe that the Youth Academy for 

Latino Leaders can achieve this goal. 


57

Hermin Almonte 

Freshman 

Interests: Piano, Trombone 

Research Topic: Trauma Psychology 

“My time in the program provided a gratifying learning 

experience, very much like school. The program boasted 

both advantages and drawbacks. Despite this, it 

delivered an enjoyable experience that expanded my 

understanding of various subjects.” 

Blaymin Fabian 

Freshman 

Interests: Art, Reading, Immigration Law 

Research Topic: Mental Health 

“This program opened my eyes to community issues 

and heightened my awareness of topics like drunk 

driving and healthy relationships. Additionally, I 

became more self-aware of the support available 

to me, including my mentor and technology. The 

opportunities presented over these past four weeks 

have left me feeling immensely grateful and fortunate. 

Entering this program has been a wonderful journey 

that has expanded my horizons and enriched my life.” 

Barbara Esperanza Luna Merchan 

Freshman 

Interests: Art, Modeling, Volunteering 

Research Topic: Alzheimers 

“The Dominican Community Center’s Youth Academy 

for Latino Leaders has allowed me to recognize that I 

can get to know areas that will help me have a better 

future. I was able to meet important people who have 

excelled in life through a lot of effort.” 


Shaila Rodríguez 

Freshman 

Interests: Sports, Languages, Art 

Research Topic: Alzheimers 

“Without a doubt, what fascinated me the most about 

the program was the power to develop new skills and 

knowledge. I am very grateful to have been able to 

attend this program that prepares you for life and helps 

us prepare for what we want for our future. I believe it 

gives us the hope that if we put our minds to it and try, 

we can achieve what we want.” 

Daniella Valenzuela 

Freshman 

Interests: Rollerskating, Track, Finance 

Research Topic: Health and Technology 

“This program also has taught me qualities that can 

help me become successful and move forward in life. 

I believe I can apply all the skills I learned from this 

program to shape my future and help me become a 

better leader and community member. This program 

was a fun experience and I hope kids in the future will 

have a good time like I did.” 

Isabella Valenzuela 

Freshman 

Interests: Music, Singing, Dentistry 

Research Topic: Neurology 

“I received great advice from the visitors, mentors, and 

people from the Latin community. Thanks to them, I 

am more confident about pursuing my dreams and 

confident that I will be able to achieve my goals. I had 

a wonderful time in this program, and I would totally 

reconsider joining again in the future. It has truly been 

an honor to be accepted in this program. I believe the 

knowledge I gained will help me when it’s time to pick 

my career.” 


59

Eva Maria Duran 

Dominican Community Center President, U.S. 

I have had the pleasure of meeting an amazing human being, and that is Dr. Sadigh. With his knowledge and 

the ability to help others, he has helped the DCC open a door to our future graduates and provide a peek into 

who they can become. 

Dr. Sadigh’s vision along with DCC has led us to accomplish this great program that we call Youth Academy for 

Latino Leaders (YALL). This Academy was put together by a small group of people in a short amount of time. 

What once was just a small talk became real in no time. We cover areas such as Finance, Health, Leadership, 

Civics (Community) and bring it to students in a way that they would want to learn more about it. 

I am very grateful to Dr. Sadigh for trusting this group of people, for putting his vision in our hands and making 

it a reality. There is more of YALL to come. Stick around and let’s keep inspiring others. 


The Rewarding Collaboration Between the Nuvance 

Health Global Health Academy and the Dominican 

Community Center 

Elvis Novas 

Advisor for the Dominican Community Center and 

member of the Board of Directors of Housatonic Habitat 

for Humanity, Danbury, CT, U.S. 

What started as a dream helped fill a group of excellent young high 

school freshmen in the city of Danbury, CT with knowledge and 

motivation. 

The great visionary Dr. Majid Sadigh came up with the idea of finding 

a way to provide the future young leaders of our Latino community 

with a program that provides the fundamentals in different areas, and 

consequently helps build the foundation they need for a successful 

future. 

I must highlight the following facilitators’ excellent work and willingness 

to cooperate: Wilson Hernandez, Brigid Guertin, Denisse Roda, Diana 

Merchan, Nelson Merchan, Elke Sweeney, Rep. Farley Santos, Javier 

Rincon, and Elsabel Rincon, as well as the support teams of the 

Dominican Community Center headed by its president Eva Duran, 

project leader Jason Nova, Olga Mejia, Jacqueline Cabrera, and 

Zoraida Cabrera, among others. It is worth mentioning the great work 

in the shadowing sessions of the Danbury Hospital, the Savings Bank 

of Danbury, and the Danbury Museum. 

The magnificent idea and great support of Dr. Sadigh; the support 

of Dr. Parve, the Director of the Nuvance Health Global Health (GH) 

Academy and the Nuvance Health GH Program; the willingness and 

commitment of the excellent team at the Dominican Community 

Center; the cooperation of an entire community (including facilitators 

and mentors); and the determination of a group of young future leaders 

of our Latino community, created the antecedent that together we 

can achieve a better community and therefore a better society. I’m 

looking forward to future projects between the Nuvance Health GH 

Program and the Dominican Community Center. Congratulations! 


61

Celebrating the Success of the First Graduates of the 

Nuvance Health Majid Sadigh, MD Global Health 

Academy! 


Manager of the Nuvance Health Majid Sadigh, MD Global 

Health Academy, U.S. 

Dear esteemed community members, 

We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the first 

cohort of graduates of the Youth Academy for Latino Leaders 

(YALL) from the Nuvance Health Majid Sadigh, MD Global Health 

(GH) Academy. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the 

dedication and hard work exhibited by the students and those who 

made this program possible. 

A special recognition goes to the Dominican Community Center 

(DCC) for their visionary thinking in conceptualizing this program. They 

diligently identified talented students, developed a comprehensive 

curriculum, and brought together influential leaders from minority 

communities to deliver an enriching educational experience. 

The Nuvance Health Majid Sadigh, MD GH Academy is exceptionally 

proud of its partnership with the DCC, an organization that shares 

our commitment to empowering young minds. We believe YALL is a 

fine example of our partnership with the local community, as together 

we aim to nurture future leaders who will positively impact local GH 

initiatives. 


The Global Health Academy Inaugural Project: The Youth 

Academy for Latino Leaders (YALL) 

Wendi Cuscina, MAS, CPM 

Manager of the Nuvance Health Global Health Program, 

U.S. 

Manager of Policy Governance for Nuvance Health 


On July 19, 2023, The Majid Sadigh MD Global Health (GH) Academy 

opened its doors to host the first of many educational projects. Our 

inaugural class consisted of six high school students from the local 

Latinx communities of Danbury. The students engaged in a four-week 

diversified curriculum which included field trips to local establishments 

as well as attending workshops moderated by Latinx community leaders 

discussing the importance of sound leadership, goal setting, financial 

literacy, civic engagement, and health and wellness. 


63

YALL is designed to be longitudinal in design and to instruct the students to accomplish their scholarly activities 

optimally throughout their high school years as well as welcoming a new cohort of incoming first-year high school 

students each summer. The reflections provided by students at the conclusion of the four weeks will help us improve 

the program’s curriculum each year. We are forever grateful to the vision of the DCC leadership including Eva Duran, 

Elvis Novas, Jason Nova, and of course, Javier Rincon. We look forward to continued collaboration and partnership for 

many years to come. 

Wendi Cuscina, Manager of the Global Health Program, 

welcoming students 

Majid Sadigh, Director of the Global Health Academy, 

welcoming students 

Graduate Students posing with their scholarships at the end of the graduation ceremony 


Students and program leadership posing with their scholarships at the end of 

the graduation ceremony 

“The photo shows the group of students accompanied by Mr. Farley Santos, Vice President, Community Development 

Manager, and Bank Ambassador with Savings Bank of Danbury, and who is also a CT State Representative. Also pictured 

are Jacqueline Cabrera (right of Mr. Santos) and Olga Mejia (far left), members of the Dominican Community Center Board 

of Directors and mentors of the YALL program. As part of the first day’s shadowing, Mr. Santos gave a tour to the students 

around the Danbury Savings Bank Headquarters, and they were able to see how the bank functions in real time.” 


65

Joint Master’s Degree Program in Health Professions 

EDUCATION AND GLOBAL HEALTH 

Collaborative Project with the University of Zimbabwe 

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences 

In response to the growing need for Global Health (GH) education and training, particularly in low-middle-income 

countries (LMICs), the Majid Sadigh, MD GH Academy at Nuvance Health and the University of Zimbabwe Faculty 

of Medicine and Health Sciences (UZFMHS) are joining forces to offer a groundbreaking joint master’s degree 

program in health professions education (HPE) with a major in GH education. This initiative aims to equip health 

professions educators with the necessary skills and knowledge to address the transnational nature of health issues 

in an interconnected world. 

Recent global events have underscored the 

importance of incorporating GH into medical school 

curricula. However, the majority of GH programs are 

located in high-income countries (HICs), leaving a 

significant gap in training opportunities for educators 

in LMICs. Additionally, there is a lack of consensus 

on the type of training needed and a tendency for 

GH domains and competencies to be “colonized” by 

Western perspectives. 

The joint master’s degree program seeks to address 

these challenges by providing a comprehensive 

curriculum designed and reviewed jointly by the 

Education and Curriculum Committee, comprising 

members from University of Zimbabwe and the GH 

Academy. Participants will gain familiarity with key 

concepts in GH, research methodology, digital literacy, 

leadership, and management. They will also have the 

opportunity to connect with a network of GH leaders. 

Shalote Chipamaunga-Bamu, PhD, is Director of the 

Master’s Program in HPE at the University of Zimbabwe 

and is spearheading this collaborative effort. 

Pilot Cohort 

The first cohort of Master’s students from University of Zimbabwe arrived in Danbury in November 2023 for the inaugural 

Global Health (GH) module. Over two weeks, they engaged in intensive coursework covering topics such as the administration 

and management of GH programs, research and innovation in education and GH, and the ethical considerations of GH 

practice. 


The participating students were: 

1. 

Fiona Makoni, MD 

University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe 

Senior Lecturer and former Chairperson of the Department of Oral Health 

2. 

Caryn Tatenda Kazembe Mhangara 

BSc (Hon) Physiotherapy, MSc Physiotherapy (Musculoskeletal Pain Management) 

WITS, and Certified Lymphoedema Therapist (ILWTI), student MHPE 

Clinical Instructor at the University of Zimbabwe and Principal Physiotherapist at 

Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Zimbabwe 

3. 

Cladious Verenga, MD 

Fetal Medicine specialist and Lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe and 

Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Zimbabwe 

The goals for the two-week pilot course included the following: 

1. Develop a Holistic Understanding of GH and Ability to Analyze GH Disparities 

2. Examine the Global Burden of Diseases and Associated Challenges and Solutions 

3. Build Awareness of the Colonial Mindset in GH 

4. Encourage Ethical and Equitable GH Practices 

5. Apply Frameworks for Development of a GH Curriculum and Best-Practices in Organizing GH Electives 

6. Plan Professional Development Using Technology in Education and Research 

7. Meet Leaders in GH, Engage in Bilateral Exchange of Ideas, and Work Together to Solve Problems 


67

During the two-week course, the Master’s students participated in forty educational modules (see figure below), 

sixteen of which were part of the GH Bridge course which was organized for UVMLCOM medical students. These 

modules were taught by faculty members of the GH Academy, invited guests, and by Dr. Shalote Chipamaunga- 

Bamu. 

On the last day of the two-week pilot course, the Master’s students and Master’s Program Director, Dr. Shalote 

Chipamaunga-Bamu, met with Dr. John Murphy, President and Chief Executive Office of Nuvance Health. During 

this meeting, future directions of the joint-degree program were discussed, and Dr. Murphy presented students 

with their Certificates of Completion of the inaugural GH course. 

Moving Beyond the Pilot Program 

Looking ahead, the program aims to develop a comprehensive curriculum for future participants, including 

longitudinal delivery of GH modules throughout the HPE master’s program. Additionally, there are plans to expand 

collaboration and develop similar joint master’s degree programs with other GH partners and sites. 

The joint master’s degree program represents a significant step towards building competitive educational 

programs in LMICs, reducing dependence on HICs, and improving the overall quality, depth, and relevance of GH 

training and research. It is poised to become a model for institutions seeking to strengthen their GH education 

initiatives and enhance their impact on health outcomes worldwide. 



69

Ruddy Ruggles 

Global Mental Health Scholars 

Program Leadership 

Noeline Nakasujja, MBChB, MMed. Psych, PhD 

Associate Professor of Psychiatry 

Chair, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, 

Makerere University College of Health Sciences 

Charles Herrick, MD, FAPAlPsych, PhD 

Chair of Psychiatry and Program Director 

Nuvance Health Network Psychiatry Residency Program 

Rudy L. Ruggles, Jr.Psych, PhD 

A Former Member of Danbury Hospital’s Board of Directors 

About the Project: 

The Rudy Ruggles Global Mental Health Scholars program is a collaborative initiative between Nuvance Health and 

the Psychiatry Department of Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS), generously supported 

by Dr. Rudy Ruggles. At the program’s inception, the partnership was between the Departments of Psychiatry 

of UVMLCOM and MAkCHS. However, in 2023 due to the restructuring of the Global Health (GH) Program at 

UVMLCOM, the partnership transitioned to the Department of Psychiatry at Nuvance Health under the leadership 

of Dr. Charles Herrick. 


The Global Mental Health Scholars engage in the three-year clinical and didactic curriculum of the Masters of 

Medicine Degree in Psychiatry (MMED Psych) offered by the Department of Psychiatry at MakCHS. Scholars 

are selected based on interest, academic and clinical performance, and interviews conducted at MakCHS, with 

input from the Nuvance Health Psychiatry Department leadership. The goal is to improve psychiatry education 

and equip future Global Mental Health workers with a breadth of skills to address the mental health needs of the 

Ugandan population. 

The collaboration involves funding tuition and research fees for three rising second- and third-year residents at 

MakCHS. The partnership includes: 

• Pairing Nuvance Health residents with Ruggles Scholars in Uganda (the “twinning mode”) for email 

correspondence, article sharing, educational resource exchange, and potential joint research projects; 

• Semi-annual joint case conferences between the Psychiatry Departments of MakCHS and Nuvance Health; 

• Access for Ruggles Scholars to Nuvance Health Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds via streaming or 

recordings 

• Future collaboration of Nuvance Health residents with the Ruggles Scholars of MakCHS on 

research projects, with Nuvance Health faculty co-supervising Ruggles Scholars to create publishable 

manuscripts 

Outstanding Ruggles Scholars will have the opportunity to visit Nuvance Health for one to two months, gaining 

exposure to U.S. psychiatric care and healthcare policy, with expenses covered by the GH Academy at Nuvance 

Health. 

We aim for this program to contribute to capacity building and support the training of competent psychiatrists to 

address the mental health needs of the Ugandan population. 

List of Ruggles Global Mental Health Scholars: 

Academic Year 2020-2021 Intake: 

• Dr. Kalungi 

• Dr. Tabitha Aujo 

• Dr. Claire Kwagala 


• Dr. Martina Sarah Nanvuma 

• Dr. Daniel Ranga 

• Dr. Olivia Okwir 


• Dr. Penelope Tukasingura 

• Dr. Denis Agaba 

• Dr. Wamala – dropped out 


• Dr. Andrea Kaggwa Kaddu 

• Dr. Melanie Magoba 

• Dr. Andrew Mark Muyanga 


71

Capacity Building in 

GLOBAL HEALTH 

Site Visit to Universided Iberoamericana, Santo Domingo, 


Left to right: Danny Capellan; Gloria Valdes; Marlene Then; Loraine Amell, MD, PhD; Beth West; Marcos Nuñez, MD, FICS, M.Ed.; 

Andrea Green, MD; Vera Farias; Camila Alcantara; and Yuppiel Martinez, MD 

In January 2023, the Nuvance Health Global Health (GH) Program team embarked on a fruitful visit to Santa 

Domingo, Dominican Republic, aimed at strengthening our partnership with key institutions and exploring 

collaborative opportunities. Led by Beth West, MA, Director of the Patricia A. Tietjen, MD Teaching Academy at 

Nuvance Health, and Dr. Andrea Green, Director of Pediatric GH at the University of Vermont Larner College of 

Medicine, the delegation met with the leadership and prominent members of Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE): 

Dr. Marcos Nuñez, Dra. Loraine Amell, PhD, Dra. Carolina Valdez, Camila Alcantara, and Vera Farias. 

During the visit, Beth West and Dr. Andrea Green visited UNIBE where various programmatic aspects were discussed 

including curriculum, intercultural courses, exchange programs, and innovative initiatives such as Narrative Medicine. 

Our delegation delved into the rich cultural experiences of Santo Domingo, guided by local experts like Professor 

Samuel Bisonó, and had insightful discussions about medical education, patient care, and research initiatives. 


The visit not only fostered valuable connections but also identified areas for collaboration, including telehealth 

implementation, intercultural curriculum development, and student placements. Additionally, we explored potential 

partnerships with Maternidad Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia, the leading maternity hospital in the country, and 

Hospital General de la Plaza de la Salud, a private hospital providing integrated care services 

Looking ahead, we are enthusiastic about the possibilities these partnerships offer. Through joint efforts and shared 

visions, we aim to enhance medical education, promote research, and address pressing healthcare challenges in 

the Dominican Republic. This visit laid the foundation for enduring collaborations that will undoubtedly benefit our 

institutions and the communities we serve. 

Photos from the Site Visit to the Dominican Republic 


73

Stephen Scholand, MD 

Faculty Member at the Majid Sadigh, MD GH Academy, U.S. 

Site Visit to Walailak University, Tha Sala 

District, Thailand 

In March 2023, I traveled to Thailand on behalf of the Nuvance Global Health 

(GH) Program with the intention of paving the way for reopening of the Walailak 

University (WU) site. It is anticipated that four medical students will start on a 

rotation in late June for a six-week block. 

Inquiries into specific clinical sites and supporting faculty were undertaken. Tha Sala Hospital will serve as an 

important clinical site. In addition, WU has opened its main 700-bed hospital with associated outpatient clinic 

areas. Other logistical plans were reviewed for student accommodations and travel. 

Junior faculty at WU were enthusiastic about the prospects of continuation after a few years-long hibernation 

period due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Frank (Chaiwat Rerkswattavorn) and Dr. June (Atthayaporn Choomai) 

from Tha Sala Hospital will be taking lead roles as on-site Thai faculty. 

Stephen Scholand, MD with Atthayaporn Choomai, MD, Nair 

Pulmonary Scholar and Director of the GH Program 

Stephen Scholand, MD (left) with Chuchard Punsawad, MD 

(center), Dean of Walailak University 

While I was there, I also gave a Grand Rounds presentation at WU titled “Updates in Infectious Diseases.” Part of 

the lecture involved discussion of Candida auris, a new pathogen that has made headlines around the world after 

the CDC’s warning in regards to this dangerous microbe in the U.S. 

We are looking forward to summer in Thailand for continued GH education. 

In late June-July 2023, I led a new group of medical students to WU in southern Thailand. It was a rejuvenation of 

our Thai GH site following the stresses and strains of the COVID-19 pandemic which had paralyzed the program. 


Stephen Scholand, MD with the Walailak University lecture group 

Many things had changed; some for the better, but some catastrophically for the worse. Sadly the former Dean of 

WU, Dr. Menn had to step down for medical reasons. He was the spark of the medical school and chief collaborator 

with our Nuvance GH Program, having established our partnership many years ago. 

With more than 200 publications in peer-reviewed journals on topics including parasitic and infectious diseases 

affecting the southern Thai region, the new Dean Dr. Chuchard Punsawad leads the efforts for continued education. 

WU has recently committed to advancements in medical research, with a focus on faculty productivity. Hopefully, 

support for partner-based research will be strengthened in our program given the leadership discussions from 

earlier this year. 

On arrival to WU, participants were welcomed by the International Office. 

Dr, Lunla, the medical student education coordinator, gave a tour of the university including the newly-finished 700- 

bed hospital and facilities. An academic overview of the rotation was provided with help from supporting faculty as 

well, including Dr. Prym Mordmuang, Dr. Frank (Chaiwat Rerkswattavorn), and others. 

Visiting medical students were matched with Thai medical students on a one-to-one basis, forming close bonds 

early on in the rotation—a major help with adaptation 10,000 miles from home. 

We look forward to strengthening our partnership with WU and our Thai medical colleagues, as we promote GH 

education far into the future. 


75

Site Visit to Cho Ray Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, 

Vietnam 

The Impact of Our Program at Cho Ray Hospital, Ho Chi 

Minh, Vietnam 

I was in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam working with our local partners to ensure 

the post-pandemic restart of our exchange program operates as smoothly 

as possible. Being there again was really exciting. We have seen some 

amazing things that illustrate the impact of our program. 

Stephen Winter, MD 

Senior Advisor at the Nuvance Health 


When I was last in Vietnam, I taught the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) staff a new 

procedure called “prone positioning” that we had started using at home 

to treat patients with severe lung injury. It is distinct in that it requires no 

special equipment or medications and is therefore perfect to implement 

in a resource-constrained setting. To my delight, during rounds in the ICU 

during this most recent trip, I saw that they had fully embraced this new 

technique and were using it regularly. 

Nguyen Dinh Khoa, MD, Chief 

of Rheumatology with Robyn 

Scatena, MD 

Nguyen Dinh Khoa, MD with Global 

Health Scholar Nguyen Thanh, MD 

Another great example is to see our Global 

Scholars consistently emerge in leadership 

positions, taking on roles such as Vice Chair 

of the Intensive Care Programs at Cho Ray 

Hospital and University Hospital and Head 

of External Relations and International 

Relationships at Cho Ray Hospital. It is clear 

that we have both been incredibly successful 

at choosing some of the best doctors here 

as Global Health (GH) Scholars, and that 

experiences during the time they spent 

in the U.S. altered the trajectory of their 

careers towards success. These are just a 

couple examples of the program’s impact 

on one site, and says nothing about our 

impact in Uganda, Zimbabwe, and beyond. 

I spent a full day meeting with the Dean and 

Faculty at the University Medical Center 

close to Cho Ray Hospital to investigate 

whether we can expand our footprint in Vietnam to include the University Hospital programs. At every step, I 

was met by physicians who knew a lot about our program because of the experience of Cho Ray Hospital. They 

consistently demonstrated a great deal of enthusiasm to be part of our network. The bidirectional nature of our 

program, which brings their young faculty to the U.S. as our students are hosted in Vietnam, has had a great impact, 

and is unique among most U.S.-based GH programs. 


OUR SCHOLARS ARE INCREDIBLE 

Notes from the Site Visit to Vietnam 

Our scholars are incredible. They have maintained a community of practice 

with each other, considering themselves brothers and sisters despite 

often going months without seeing each other, as they work in different 

departments. Many have taken on new roles in their departments and 

in the hospital, and many were key leaders of clinical units during the 

COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some examples: 

Dr. Tho, infectious disease specialist, will replace the wonderful Dr. Lan 

Phuong as Head of External Relations. 

Dr. Dai, intensive care specialist, will rise to Vice Dean for Critical Care at 

UMP while maintaining his clinical practice at Cho Ray. 

Robyn Scatena, MD 

Executive Director of the Patricia A. 

Tietjen, MD Teaching Academy, U.S. 

Dr. Nam, pulmonary specialist, is training as the first Interstitial Lung 

Disease specialist at Cho Ray via online seminars and self-directed 

learning. He is also the Associate Lead for Research at Cho Ray. He 

has collected data from the Ho Chi Minh City COVID-19 experience and 

is working on publishing it; we got a sneak peak during our visit. He and 

Dr. Khoa are also working on a publication on the Cho Ray Global Health 

experience. They have already conducted a focus group and have coded 

the interviews. 

Drs. Tho, Nam, Dai, and Huy, among others, led clinical units during the Ho 

Chi Minh City COVID-19 crisis. They set up a new hospital for all patients 

Stephen Winter, MD and Robyn Scatena, MD with leadership of University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, 

Vietnam 


77

with COVID-19, with each being responsible for leading a unit-based interdisciplinary medical team. They are 

considered heroes by their peers. 

Dr. Tho was recognized in Vogue Asia as a promising young female leader, featured on their cover. She is in 

some ways uncomfortable with the fame so would not like us to further propagate the recognition, but it is worth 

mentioning. 

Dr. Than, rheumatology specialist, is a philanthropist as well as clinician. She has set up a fund to help medical 

students continue their studies when financial concerns would otherwise force them to leave school. She frequently 

provides free care in the state-of-the-art medical office in her home to patients who cannot pay. This demonstrates 

the incredible heart we see in so many of our scholars. 

Dr. Khoa is studying for his Masters in Health Professions Education at Boston University. 

The scholars were incredibly engaged in my Teaching Academy lecture on objective-driven teaching, and are 

formulating ways to use objectives to enhance their teaching for our visiting students. There is also interest from 

scholars in continuing their learning about clinical education, and in creating an educational series through the 

Teaching Academy—an endeavor that will require co-construction with a willing scholar, as above. 

Pham Le Anh Nguyen, MD 

Intensive Care Unit Doctor, Cho Ray Hospital, Vietnam 

Dr. Pham Le Anh Nguyen, an ICU doctor from Cho Ray Hospital, Vietnam, 

was selected as a Nair Scholar and commenced a two-month clinical 

rotation at Norwalk Hospital in April 2023. During this time, Dr. Pham 

focused on Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, under the guidance of 

Dr. Robyn Scatena. 


Du Quoc Minh Quan, MD 

Intensive Care Unit Doctor, Cho Ray Hospital, Vietnam 

Dr. Du Quoc Minh Quan, an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) doctor from Cho 

Ray Hospital, Vietnam, completed a two-month clinical rotation at 

the ICU Department of Danbury Hospital, under the supervision of Dr. 

John Chronakos, starting from February, 2023. 

“As an observer in the Critical Care Unit (ICU), I gained invaluable knowledge and experiences through participation 

in daily rounds and other activities alongside internal medicine residents. I additionally spent over two months 

working closely with attending physicians and residents, observing their work and actively discussing patient 

care plans. 

This experience has given me a deep appreciation for the challenges healthcare systems face in low-to-middleincome 

countries. It has also allowed me to develop critical thinking skills that will be invaluable in my future 

career. I was particularly impressed by the dedication and commitment of the Nuvance Health team who 

worked tirelessly to provide high-quality care and improve health outcomes in the communities we served. 

Thank you for allowing me to participate in this program and supporting me throughout this life-changing 

experience.” 

Du Quoc Minh Quan, MD (right) with Eric Jimenez, MD and residents 


79

Trinh Ngoc Thanh , MD 

Cardiologist at Cho Ray Hospital, Vietnam 

Dr. Trinh Ngoc Thanh, a cardiologist from Cho Ray Hospital, Vietnam, 

began his two-month clinical rotation at Danbury Hospital in May 

2023. During this period, he worked in the Cardiology Department 

under the supervision of Dr. Robert Jarrett. 

Luan Thanh Nguyen, MD 

Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Cho Ray Hospital, 

Vietnam 

In November 2023, Dr. Luan Thanh Nguyen, cardiothoracic surgeon from 

Cho Ray Hospital, Vietnam arrived in the U.S. for a two-month clinical 

rotation at Danbury Hospital under the supervision of Dr. Richard Kaplon. 

I gained invaluable knowledge in adult cardiac surgery, as well as tips, 

tricks, and strategies in valve repair, coronary artery bypass surgery, 

and aortic root and hemiarch arch surgery from Dr. Richard Kaplon, 

Anne D’Amico, PA and his team. I learned about transesophageal 

echocardiography through hands-on experience with Dr. Natalia Skachkova as well as techniques in valve 

interventions such as Transthoracic Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) and MitraClip from Dr. Hal S. Wasserman 

and Dr. Mark Warshofsky. Beside medical knowledge, I also learned about healthcare management and patient 

care from preoperative to postoperative stages. 

Apart from academic pursuits, I had wonderful cultural experiences in the U.S. I attended dinner parties and 

visited Yale University with my peers from the GH Academy. As a young surgeon, this program has been 

immensely beneficial to me. It has changed my mindset and increased my confidence in medical practice. I 

am eager to implement new techniques in my clinical practice. 

Once again, I express my gratitude to the Nuvance Health GH Program and Hearts Around the World, especially 

to Dr. Majid Sadigh, Dr. Robert Jarrett, Dr. Bulat Ziganshin, Dr. Swapnil Parve, Dr. Dilyara Nurkhametova, Wendi 

Cuscina, Mitra Sadigh, and Dr. Elina Mukhametshina for creating such an excellent opportunity for international 

student exchange, particularly from low-to-middle-income countries like me. I hope our organization continues 

to grow and assist more physicians worldwide. 


Tran Duong Thong, MD 

Cardiac Intensive Care Unit Doctor, Cho Ray 

Hospital, Vietnam 

Dr. Tran Duong Thong, a cardiac Intensive Care Unit (ICU) doctor from 

Cho Ray Hospital, arrived in August 2023 to complete a two-month 

clinical rotation at Danbury Hospital. Under the supervision of Dr. Robert 

Jarrett, Dr. Thong gained valuable experience in the hospital’s cardiac ICU 

Department. 

“Studying medicine is like driving a boat on an ocean. I couldn’t complete my rotation without my great 

supervisor, Dr. Jarret who taught me with patience and kindness. There are no words to show my appreciation! I 

had a great opportunity to study cardiovascular diseases, medications, and how to become a better doctor. He 

taught me that medications are just half of treatment, with understanding a patient’s life and building a close 

physician-patient relationship comprising much of the rest. He taught me how to find the joy of working, pay 

attention to others’ problems, and treat everyone with care. 

I see myself as a green seedling. This rotation allowed me to grow up and see the world. I know my mission in 

being part of the GH Program: to use my knowledge and hard work to serve the patients of Cho Ray Hospital 

and my country. Thank you to Dr. Parve, Wendi Cuscina, and Dr. Nurkhametova for helping me feel at home 

during my rotation. Thank you to Dr. Jarret for always leaving a seat next to yours. Thank you to the GH Program 

for making the dreams of many doctors come true.” 

Sunset in Danbury Hospital, Connecticut, U.S. 


81

An Phuoc Nguyen, MD 

Intensive Care Unit Physician at Cho Ray 

Hospital, Vietnam 

Dr. An Phuoc Nguyen, a cardiac Intensive Care 

Unit (ICU) physician from Cho Ray Hospital, 

arrived at the end of September 2023 to 

complete a two-month clinical rotation at 

Norwalk Hospital’s ICU under the supervision of 

Dr. Robyn Scatena. 

Left to right: Bulat Ziganshin, MD; An Phuoc Nguyen, 

MD; and Robyn Scatena, MD 

Gabriel Polanco, MD 

Cardiologist at the Heart Institute in Santo Domingo, 


Dr. Gabriel Polanco arrived at Danbury Hospital in May 2023 for a 

one-month training program in the Cardiology Department under the 

supervision of Dr. Robert Jarrett. 

“I am thrilled to come to Danbury Hospital to experience the medical care of 

patients with heart disease, and see what I can apply in the Dominican Republic. 

I’m also excited to share our experiences and ways of doing things, especially 

when it comes to the Latin American patient.” 


Atthayaporn Choomai, MD 

Internist at Tha Sala Hospital, Thailand 

In June 2023, Dr. Atthayaporn Choomai, an internist from Thasala Hospital 

in Nakhorn Si Thammarat, Thailand, joined Norwalk Hospital for a clinical 

rotation as a Nair Scholar. Over a span of five weeks, Dr. Choomai worked 

at Norwalk Hospital under the supervision of Dr. Robyn Scatena. 

Luis Alberto Castillo Nuñez, MD 

Cardiology Resident at the Heart Institute, Dominican 

Republic 

March 2023, Dr. Luis Alberto Castillo Nuñez, a cardiology resident from the 

Heart Institute in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, arrived in Danbury 

for a four-week training program at Danbury Hospital’s Cardiology 

Department under the supervision of Dr. Robert Jarrett. 

“I felt welcomed and supported by everyone during my time at Danbury Hospital. Upon my arrival, I was welcomed by 

Wendi Cuscina, Manager of the Global Health Program, who showed me around the hospital and my accommodations, 

and introduced me to Dr. Robert Jarrett, an exceptional person and mentor. He designed an educational curriculum based 

on my objectives of coming to Danbury Hospital. 

Over the course of my time at Danbury, I participated in educational activities in the Cardiology Department including 

bedside rounds, clinic, and educational sessions with medical residents. I learned how to treat each patient holistically and 

establish a good relationship with patients’ friends and families. Unfortunately I did not have access to medical records 

and could not follow up on patients. I also noticed that the diversity of diseases is greater in the Dominican Republic. For 

instance, the Heart Institute in Santo Domingo sees many patients with rheumatic fever and rheumatic valvular diseases. 

Delightfully, I noticed that delivery of care is similar among patients whether or not they have health insurance at Danbury 

Hospital. I wish that the situation was the same for uninsured patients in the Dominican Republic. 

I am very grateful for this wonderful opportunity which for me, was greatly beneficial.” 


83

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS 

The Second 

Global Health Conference 

Held on June 4-7, 2023 in Danbury, CT, the second Global Health (GH) Conference at Nuvance Health was attended 

by fifteen international colleagues and over 100 domestic colleagues. The vision of our GH Program has spread to 

our community and beyond. 

https://www.globalhealthday2023.com/ 


On the first day, we welcomed our international and domestic guests at the Ethan Allen 

Hotel conference venue with a welcome dinner attended by Dr. Dereck DeLeon, Dr. Mariah 

McNamara, Dr. Majid Sadigh, and Wendi Cuscina. The main program commenced the next 

day, beginning with welcome remarks and introductions from Dr. Dereck DeLeon, Mariah 

McNamara, and Majid Sadigh. This was followed by a plenary session led by Dr. Sadigh on the 

topic of “Creating an Empowerment Model in GH.” 

Parallel breakout sessions on Mentorship and Women Leadership, Advocacy and Local/ 

Global Work in GH, and Sustainability were then conducted by Dr. Aparna Oltikar, Dr. Andrea 

Green, and Dr. Mariah McNamara, respectively. The day continued with a panel discussion 

on Rudy Ruggles Global Mental Health led by Dr. Rudy Riggles and Dr. Noeline Nakasujja. 

This was followed by another round of breakout sessions on Global Mental Health, Research 

and Publication, and Clinical Education led by Dr. Krista Buckley, Dr. Bulat Ziganshin, and Dr. 

Catherine Winkler. 

The first day concluded with the Dinner Ceremony, during which GH Awards and Recognitions 

were presented. The highlight of the conference was the introduction of the concept and 

opening of the GH Academy. 

The second day of the conference featured impressive presentations from our partners, 

highlighting new GH Programs from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh 

City in Vietnam, University of Botswana, National Institute of Health Armenia, and University 

of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. 

The day continued with presentations on Special Projects, including the Patricia A. Tietjen 

Teaching Academy by Beth West, Nursing Division by Catherine Winkler, Integrating GH into 

Graduate Academic Programs by Dr. Shalote Chipamaunga Bamu, and Hispanic/Latinx 

Voices by Jason Nova. 

Throughout both conference days, guests and participants had the opportunity to visit and 

review poster presentations showcasing scholarly and project activities of the GH Program. 

Additionally, they could explore the GH Photos Exhibition, capturing the best moments of GH. 

Overall, we are delighted to report that the Second GH Conference was a success, bringing 

together friends and colleagues from around the world. The event facilitated lively discussions 

on current topics, fostering connections within the GH family. We express our gratitude to 

everyone who participated and contributed to organizing this event, and we look forward to 

hosting more such meetings in the future! 


85

Global Health Awards 

Grace Linhard, recipient of the John Murphy Leadership Award 

The John Murphy Leadership Award recognizes a member of the Global Health Family at Nuvance Health who 

demonstrates innovative, initiative-driven leadership impacting the program and beyond. 

Jett Choquette (second from left), recipient of the Sister Jane 

Frances Award 

The Sister Jane Frances Award is given to a student who 

observes tragedies in underserved communities but overcomes 

the initial transient anger or frustration to find a creative 

solution and implements it with hard work and dedication. 

Dr. Robert Jarrett and Dr. Stephen Winter, 

recipients of the Linde Excellence in 

Mentoring Award 

The Linde Excellence in Mentoring Award 

recognizes a community physician(s) or faculty 

who has excelled at mentoring Global Health 

Scholars in achieving their career objectives 

through moral, social, and intellectual support. 


Reflections Written by 

Conference Attendees 

When You Train a Child, You Train a Nation 

Congratulations on yet another amazing celebration of Global Health 

work. The meeting was well organized, and the speakers were passionate. 

I learned so much from each and every person. 

Thank you for giving back to the world. The plenary sessions were enriching. 

The panel discussions were well-moderated, and hearing back from each 

panel was informative. 

Sabrina 

Bakeera-Kitaka, MD 

Senior Lecturer at the Department of 

Paediatrics and Child Health at the 

Makerere University College of Health 

Sciences, Uganda 

The presentation by Jason Nova was of particular interest to me as I run a 

general adolescent health service at Mulago Hospital that offers care to 

and provides skills building for teenagers. When you train a child, you train 

a nation, and the future of generations to come is secured. The model of 

the Dominican Community Center needs to be replicated throughout the 

world. 

Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to tour Danbury Hospital. It 

gives me hope that with better resources and governance, all healthcare 

can one day be better, even for us in low-to-middle-income countries. 

An Environment That Fosters Collaboration, 

Learning, and the Exchange of Ideas 

I would like to extend a special thank you for inviting me to attend the 

conference and for making it possible for me to take part in this inspiring 

event. Your collective efforts have created an environment that fosters 

collaboration, learning, and the exchange of ideas. 

During our interactions, each of you provided valuable insights and guidance 

which have further fueled my passion for pursuing a career in medicine and 

Global Health (GH). Your expertise, knowledge, and willingness to engage 

with aspiring individuals like myself have left a lasting impression. 

Joseph Owuor 

Medical Science and Masters of Public 

Health Graduate Student at the 



I am truly appreciative of the warmth and inclusiveness I experienced 

throughout the conference. The conversations I had with all of you and 

other participants reaffirmed my commitment to making a meaningful 

contribution to GH initiatives. Your support and encouragement have been 

invaluable, and I am excited to continue this journey with your guidance 

and mentorship. 


87

Being part of the Nuvance Health Global Health (GH) Program conference 

was a great experience! It gave me the opportunity to learn in-depth 

about the program’s purpose and mission while meeting excellent human 

beings like my compatriots Dr. Marcos A. Nuñez Cuervo and Dr. Loraine 

Amell Bogaert, among others, all of whom carry a single purpose in mind: 

to help others! 

I had the honor of being part of the “Sustainability Panel,” which allowed 

me to analyze the concept in greater depth and apply it to different areas 

of our own environment and life. I understood that sustainability is the key 

to a better future, and that sustainable actions help make a real difference 

in society. 

Elvis Novas 

Advisor for the Dominican Community 

Center and member of the Board of 

Directors of Housatonic Habitat for 

Humanity, Danbury, CT, U.S. 

At the end of the conference, I had the opportunity to see the presentations 

of excellent projects sponsored by the GH Program, including those we 

have been involved in such as Youth Academy for Latin Leaders (YALL), 

masterfully presented by Jason Nova. This program is a community-led 

leadership initiative created by the Dominican Community Center and 

supported by the Majid Sadigh, MD GH Academy. 

It was a great opportunity for all the representatives of our community 

to be present at this magnificent conference that contributes so much to 

our communities throughout the world. We are already looking forward to 

being part of this event again in 2024! 

Earlier this June, I attended the second annual Global Health (GH) 

Conference at Nuvance Health. As I reflected on my experience, several 

words came to mind, among them “humbling,” “inspiring,” and “refreshing.” 

GH leaders from around the world, Zimbabwe to the Dominican Republic, 

were in attendance. 

As I learned about these leaders’ work and the uniqueness of the locations 

they serve, I was struck by how creative and driven to do good humans 

can be when we set our minds to it. From advocating for affordable 

medications for whole nations to tackling mental health challenges, 

the healthcare professionals I learned from at the conference showed 

compassion, diligence, and dedication. 

Jett Choquette, MDMD 

Internal medicine resident at Virginia 

Commonwealth University, U.S. 

Connecting with the GH Family reminded me that just as the world is a 

sad place, it is also a beautiful place full of people doing amazing things 

to empower others and improve the experience of being human. I was 

reminded that while some of us, like myself, have only worked on local 

projects, our work is impactful both because of the local change it creates 

and because we are part of a global network. 

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from my colleagues at 

the conference about their work in GH. I am humbled and inspired to be 

part of a network of people dedicated to improving the health of those 

most in need around the globe. 


Attending the Second Global Health (GH) Conference at Nuvance Health 

was a truly enriching experience that exceeded my expectations and 

surpassed my goals. I was able to connect with like-minded individuals, 

learn from experts, and gain further inspiration to pursue work in this 

field. It was a unique platform for people of all backgrounds, even an 

undergraduate like myself, to come together and share their knowledge 

and ideas. 

“Gaining knowledge is the first step to wisdom. Sharing it is the first step 

to humanity.” 

- Unknown 

Ritesh Vidhun 

Former intern at the Nuvance Health 

/ University of Vermont Larner Global 

Health Program and undergraduate 

student at Tufts University, U.S. 

This quotation can be applied perfectly to this conference. Throughout 

the many sessions and speeches, individuals emphasized the need for 

humanity in health and society. I believe we were already proponents of 

this fundamental idea by simply having those discussions. The creation of 

this space where everyone is welcome to contribute and share thoughts 

is key to growth in whatever discipline or setting. I feel particularly grateful 

as every single person I interacted with made me feel heard and valued in 

this empowered environment. 

This conference was an overall amazing experience. I was able to deepen 

my understanding of the complexities of GH while fueling my determination 

to make a positive impact. The connections I made, the knowledge I gained, 

and the inspiration I gathered from meeting accomplished professionals 

left an incredible mark on my journey in GH. I am eager to apply what I 

have learned in college and throughout my future to contribute to creating 

a healthier, more equitable world. 

As I reflect on my time at the Global Health (GH) Conference this summer, I 

am grateful for the learning and inspiration the event provided personally 

and professionally. As in Paulo Freire’s critical awakening pedagogy, to 

walk alongside our students in the classroom, clinic, local communities, 

and global settings around the world with the intention of deconstructing 

the power imbalances and improving the equity in each of our interactions 

as humans, students, teachers, and healthcare providers. 

Our work in healthcare is based on the principles of compassion, but this can 

quickly be overshadowed by the unconscious biases and microaggressions 

inherent in our cultures. To challenge ourselves to act with cultural humility 

with each human interaction is imperative as we provide GH experiences 

for the students we serve and the global communities we collaborate with. 

Rebecca 

Nagle, DNP, APRN, PNP 

Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing 

at the University of Vermont College of 

Nursing and Health Sciences, U.S. 

The resounding themes of decolonization and the bi-directionality of our 

local and international work was inspiring. It reaffirmed the importance 

of carefully assessing our global partners’ needs and the curriculum 

developed as I aspire to incorporate GH experiences into our Doctor of 

Nursing Practice coursework at the University of Vermont. I want to thank 

Nuvance Health for the opportunity to be a part of this important work 

and invitation to participate in the conference. I look forward to the hard 

work ahead. 


89

Conference Gallery 

Left to right: Chiratidzo Ellen Ndhlovu, MMedSci, FRCP; Keneilwe Molebatsi, MD; Rudy Ruggles, PhD; Dean Fiona Makoni, MD; 

Sabrina Bakeera-Kitaka, MD; Andrew Green, MD; Shalote Chipamaunga Bamu, MD, PhD; Noeline Nakasujja, MD 

Left to right: Mary Kincart, RN and Catherine Winkler, PhD, 

APRN-BC 

Left to right: Syed Zahiruddin Quazi, MD, PhD; Majid Sadigh, 

MD; Marcos Nuñez, MD; and Abhay Gaidhane, MD, MBBS 


Left to right: Andrew Green, MD; Jason Nova; and Jett 

Choquette, MD 

Left to right: Sabrina Bakeera-Kitaka, MD and Wendi Cuscina 

Left to right: Majid Sadigh, MD; Duy Khoa Duong, MD; and 


Left to right: Elvis Novas, Amelle Bogart, MD; Jett Choquette, MD; Eva Maria 

Duran; Majid Sadigh, MD; Marcos Nunez, MD; Wendy Perdomo, MD; Jason Nova; 

Jacqueline Cabrera; Jacqueline Saldana; and Gabriel Polanco, MD 

Left to right: Grace Linhard; John 

Murphy, MD; and Grace’s daughter 


91

Left to right: Joseph Owuor and Alla Jusufi, MD 

Left to right: Arezou Nazary, MD; Asima Mian, MD; Noeline 

Nakasujja, MD; Majid Sadigh, MD; Sabrina Bakeera-Kitaka, 

MD; and Alla Jusufi, MD 

International and national leadership members at the Nuvance Health Global Health Program at the Second Global Health 

Conference 


International and national leadership members and guests at the Nuvance Health Global Health Program at 

the Second Global Health Conference 


93

Global Health Bridge 

Throughout 2023, the Global Health (GH) Program organized several GH Bridge courses for third-year students 

at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine (UVMLCOM) across the campuses in Vermont (VT) and 

Connecticut (CT). 

• During the last week of January 2023, third-year UVMLCOM students attended the GH Bridge course at the 

VT campus under the leadership of Course Director Dr. Katie Wells. 

• From November 27th to December 1st, 2023, third-year UVMLCOM students attended the GH Bridge 

course at the CT campus in Danbury under the leadership of course directors Dr. Swapnil Parve and Dr. Bulat 

Ziganshin. Together with our faculty, we assembled national and international experts to create a passiondriven, 

thought-provoking experience providing medical students with basic knowledge regarding major 

determinants, health indicators, and trends in GH. 

At the CT campus, the comprehensive three-day curriculum started with sessions titled “Foundations of GH” by Dr. 

Swapnil Parve and “Intercultural Development” by Dr. Beth West. Students also had the opportunity to engage in 

discussions about GH as a career option. 

The second day featured a panel discussion on the essential topic of decolonization of GH led by Mitra Sadigh. 

We were fortunate that our esteemed international guests—Reverend Dr. Samuel Luboga from Uganda, and Dr. 

Shalote Chipamaunga Bamu, Dean Fiona Makoni, Caryn Mhangara, and Dr. Cladious Verenga from Zimbabwe— 

share their thoughts and valuable experiences. 

Another panel discussion on the Latinx community project, led by Javier Rincon, featured esteemed guests Elvis 

Novas, Wilson Hernandez, Christopher Rodriguez, Brailyn Rodrigues, and Denisse Rodas who together engaged in 

a meaningful discussion concerning Latinx communities in Danbury. The highlight of the program was the keynote 


lectures titled “Advocacy in GH” and “The Homestay Model” by our guest of honor, Reverend Professor Samuel 

Luboga, Director of the Uganda Partnership at St. Stephen’s Hospital. 

Throughout the three-day curriculum, students had the opportunity to listen to lectures and review clinical cases 

on relevant tropical diseases, including rabies led by Dr. Charles Rupprecht and Dr. Stephen Scholand, and Dengue 

fever led by Dr. Sonali Chaudhary. The final days of the bridge covered “Health Professions Education to Improve 

GH” by Dr. Khoa Duong and “The Public Health Perspective on Armed Conflict” by Dr. Kaveh Khoshnood. 

Overall, the course received excellent feedback from student participants. We hope we reached the aim for this 

course: to impart a healthy appreciation of GH, Public Health, and humanistic and ethical topics through a passiondriven 

and thought-provoking learning experience. 

Website for the Connecticut GH Bridge: 

https://globalhealthprogram.wixsite.com/website-1 

Reflection on the Global Health Bridge 

Participating in the Global Health (GH) Bridge Week, organized by the 

Nuvance Health GH Program and the University of Vermont Larner 

College of Medicine, was an enlightening journey that stretched far 

beyond the confines of our usual medical curriculum. Each session was 

a deep dive into the complex, interconnected world of GH, challenging 

us to think beyond individual patient care and consider the broader 

determinants of health on a global scale. 

Javier Rincon 


Medicine Class of 2025, U.S. 

The week kicked off with an overview of what constitutes GH and its 

potential career paths, framing our discussions in a context that was both 

ambitious and grounded in reality. But it was the guest lectures from India, 

Vietnam, Zimbabwe, and Uganda that truly brought the curriculum to life. 

Hearing directly from those entrenched in the frontline of healthcare in 

their respective countries provided invaluable insights into local cultures, 

specific needs of their communities, and unique challenges facing their 

healthcare systems. 

One of the most impactful discussions revolved around the necessity of decolonizing GH. This conversation opened 

my eyes to the lingering imbalances and injustices that shape international health initiatives, emphasizing the 

importance of approaching GH with humility, respect, and a genuine partnership with local communities. 

Diseases like Dengue fever and rabies, often relegated to footnotes in our textbooks, were presented as pressing, 

real-world problems that continue to afflict many countries. Understanding the epidemiology and societal impact 

of these diseases from experts’ perspectives underscored the vast disparities in health outcomes and access to 

care that exist worldwide. 


95


However, the lecture that resonated with me the 

most was on the public health implications of 

armed conflict. In a world increasingly beset by 

violence and unrest, this session highlighted the 

devastating health consequences of conflict on 

civilian populations. It was a sobering reminder 

that health cannot be divorced from the political 

and social context in which it exists. 

The GH Bridge Week was more than a series 

of lectures; it was a call to action. It urged 

us to think critically about our role as future 

healthcare professionals in a globalized world 

and challenged us to consider how we can 

contribute to building more equitable health 

systems. As I reflect on the week, I am left 

with a heightened sense of responsibility and 

a renewed commitment to not only treating 

diseases but also addressing the underlying 

social determinants of health that transcend 

borders. 

Christine Luboga (left) and Reverend Professor 

Samuel Luboga 


97

Global Health Grand Rounds 

Pediatric Grand Rounds at UVMLCOM, February 15, 2023 

On February 15, 2023, Dr. Majid Sadigh, then Director of the Nuvance Health Global Health (GH) Program, was the 

speaker at the Department of Pediatrics Grand Rounds at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine 

(UVMLCOM). His presentation was titled “Creating an Empowerment (Decolonized) Model in GH: An Evolving 

Practice to Build Capacity, Research Methodologies, Educational Modalities, and Health Equity.’’ The Grand Round 

was held in hybrid format with thirty individuals attending in person and over eighty attending online. 

Dr. Sadigh discussed GH and social disparities, decolonizing GH education, and the importance of capacity building 

and medical education. Dr. Sadigh also covered the content, structure, and scope of the Nuvance Health/UVMLCOM 

GH Program, highlighting the importance of the bidirectional nature of our partnerships and critical contributions of 

our colleagues around the world. The presentation was received well and initiated a vivid discussion and feedback. 

Written by 


Director of Nuvance Health Global Health Electives 

Program for American University of the Caribbean and 

Ross University School of Medicine 


Danbury Hospital Department of Medicine 

Grand Rounds in Global Health 

On Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 8:00 AM - 9:00 

AM, Dr. Stephen Scholand was the speaker of the 

Department of Medicine Grand Rounds - Global 

Health. The topic was “Meningitis Without Borders - 

Confronting a Menacing Disease.” 

Please see the link below to the presentation. 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/tcccvAuBqww 

On November 15, 2023, Dr. Bulat Ziganshin, Executive 

Director of the Nuvance Health Global Health (GH) 

Program, served as speaker for the medical grand 

rounds at Danbury Hospital. Titled “GH: Bringing 

Justice and Health Equity at Home and Around the 

World,” his presentation delved into the history and 

development of GH, outlined its main components, 

addressed the roots of the colonial mindset, and 

emphasized the importance of decolonizing the field. 

During the talk, Dr. Ziganshin introduced the recently 

established Majid Sadigh, MD GH Academy. He 

shared insights into the experiences of participants in 

the GH Program, highlighting the program’s value and 

impact. Attracting over fifty participants, the grand 

round was conducted online and received positive 

feedback. 

Link: https://www.youtube.com/ 

watch?v=Ohb5Ib1n6Gk 


99

Global Health 

Nursing Division 

Dr. Catherine Winkler, Director of the Nuvance Health Global Health 

(GH) Nursing Division, retired in October 2023. She has made substantial 

contributions to the GH Program through collaboration with various 

universities and hospital-based colleagues on GH initiatives. She 

played a pivotal role in developing course content and educational 

modules as per the requests of international partners. Her involvement 

additionally includes mentoring and serving as a writer and editor for the 

Nursing Section of the program’s eMagazine. Under her guidance, the 

Nursing Division has seen significant growth, highlighted by this year’s 

groundbreaking nurse delegation to Uganda which fostered elevated 

collaboration and new partnerships. 

Catherine 

Winkler, PhD, APRN-BC 

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Winkler for her remarkable 

contributions to the advancement of the GH Program. 

Founding Director of the Nuvance Health 

Global Health Nursing Division, U.S., retired 

Deborah Hewitt is the newly appointed Director of the Nuvance Health 

Global Health Program Nursing Division. With a current role as Assistant 

Vice President of Nursing Professional Development at Nuvance 

Health, Deborah brings a wealth of experience to her new position. Her 

educational background includes a Bachelor’s of Science degree in 

Nursing from the University of Phoenix, a Master’s degree in Business 

Administration from the University of Phoenix, and a Master’s degree in 

Nursing from Yale University. 

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Deborah Hewitt on her new 

role and wish her the very best in her endeavors. 

Deborah 

Hewitt, MS, MBA, NEBC 

Assistant Vice President of Nursing 

Education at Nuvance Health and 

Director of the Nuvance Health Global 

Health Program Nursing Division, U.S. 

The Future of Global Health Nursing at Nuvance 

In 2017, the Nursing Division of the Nuvance Health Global Health (GH) 

Program was formed under the direction of Dr. Catherine Winkler, PhD, 

APRN, and Dr. Majid Sadigh, MD. This team worked to bring nursing 

into the mix as a partner to medicine within the realm of GH. Their initial 

collaborations sent nursing to some of our international partner sites in 


Uganda and Zimbabwe to discover how a dynamic partnership between nursing and medicine can work together 

to improve population health in some of the most rural communities. The creation of a nursing international 

executive committee (INEC) composed of university partners, nurses, and nursing leaders from Nuvance Health 

was formed to govern these collaborations. 

In 2023, with the guidance of the INEC, the Nuvance Health GH Program Nursing Division began to more deeply 

explore the educational partnerships between nursing and our international partners. In June 2023, the first group 

of nursing educators ventured to Uganda to visit Makerere University and local healthcare facilities. The objective 

of this visit was to understand the need for nursing and nursing education within this specific community and how 

nurses can help with the growth and development of other nurses. The first Nuvance Health GH Nursing Council, 

formed in December 2023, is composed of nursing leaders, nursing educators, nursing practice specialists, and 

most importantly, clinical bedside nurses. The objective of this council is to begin to expand relations with our 

nursing partners in both global local and global international building educational relationships. 

For 2024, the council is working on the following initiatives: 

• Showcase Nursing and GH during Nurses Week: 2024 

• Partner with global local through the Latinx program, teaching healthcare career and diversity in nursing 

courses: Summer 2024 

• Send another cohort comprised of a nurse educator, nurse specialist, nurse leader, and clinical nurse 

to the African Community Center for Social Sustainability (ACCESS) School of Nursing and Midwifery in 

Nakaseke, Uganda to bring semester-specific education to this nursing school: September 2024 

• Bring our educational partner and clinical lead from ACCESS, Uganda to the U.S.: September 2024 

• Lead nursing in GH breakout sessions during the 2024 Nuvance Health GH Symposium 

Nursing has a place in GH. As professionals, we have an obligation to not only care for those in our community but 

to look more broadly at population health across the globe and ask how we can make it better. 

If you are interested in being a member of the Nuvance Health GH Nursing Council, please email me directly. 

Global Health Nursing: First Visit to Uganda 

Many think that nursing in Global Health (GH) is guided by going out into a community to do mission work. It is not. 

Nurses are many things. Though our main focus is to promote health and prevent illness, we must acknowledge 

that we are also powerful advocates, educators, change-makers, and healers who have influence and can become 

policymakers advocating for sustainable GH initiatives and goals. This will only be done by strengthening nursing 

across the world (Salvage and White, 2020). 

GH Nursing doesn’t simply mean traveling internationally to other countries, but providing collaborative care 

alongside our global local communities, starting with education. To be a partner in education, we must first be open 

to understanding that different populations have different resources and that the adage of one-size-fits-all does 

not hold merit. We must make the time and effort to get to know the communities with whom we want to work, and 

to engage bidirectionally to not only create sustainable education but to also receive education. True collaboration 

with our interdisciplinary clinicians in medicine is pivotal for building programs that can be meaningfully replicated 

for physicians and nurses alike. Getting started is made easier by having a foundation. 


101

In 2023, a group of nurse educators—Robin Sells, Lisa Cerniglia, 

and Keith Prazeres—set a foundation for bi-directional 

education by traveling to Makerere University in Uganda 

where they learned about the culture and the potential need 

for supportive nursing education. After spending one week 

touring the college and local hospitals, they came back with a 

new sense of purpose. They learned that nursing is the same 

in many ways, yet the path to the end point is much different. 

The community was generous and kind. Nonetheless, they 

came about their nursing practice in a much different way, 

primarily due to their available resources or lack thereof. The 

core of the nurse transcended borders and their purpose was 

the same: to promote health and prevent illness taking care of 

whomever came to them for assistance. 

In 2024, the Nuvance Health Nursing GH Council will work to 

enhance this relationship and give back to our profession 

as educators. We plan to host our friends from the African 

Community Center for Social Sustainability (ACCESS) in 

Nakaseke, Uganda in September with the goal of collaborating 

in the development of topic-specific nursing education. 

Equally, we will be traveling once again to Uganda with a team 

consisting of clinical bedside nurses, nurse educators, and 

nursing specialists to bring semester-pertinent education to 

nurses at ACCESS. 

We as nurses are many things, and one of them is educators. As we move through 2024, I welcome any nurse who 

has a desire and interest in bringing nursing to the forefront of the global community to join the Nuvance Health GH 

Nursing Council. All are welcome! 

References 

Salvage, J., & White, J. (2020). Our Future is Global: Nursing Leadership and Global Health. Revista latino- americana 

de enfermagem, 28, e3339. https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.4542.3339 

Robin Sells, DNP, RN, BS, CMSRN, NE-BC; Lisa Cerniglia, MA, MSN, 

RN, NPD-BC, MEDSURG-BC, WCC; and Keith Prazeres MSN, MBA, 

PMHRN-BC during their visit to Uganda 


From Novice to Expert: 

Nursing Pathway in 

Global Health 

The International Nursing Executive 

Committee hosted the first Nursing 

and Global Health (GH) Symposium 

on September 14th, 2023, at Danbury 

Hospital Creasy Auditorium. The 

symposium featured speakers Dr. 

Majid Sadigh, Jasper Tolarba, Cynthia 

O’Sullivan, Heather Ferrillo, and 

members of the Nursing Professional 

Development Team who had traveled 

to Uganda. The presentations 

focused on nursing as instrumental 

in GH through experience, education, 

academics, and interdisciplinary 

partnerships. 


103

New Partnership with 

National Institute of Health in Armenia 

Welcome Armenia! 

With the stringent restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic behind us, 

the Nuvance Health Global Health (GH) Program not only resumed 

student, resident, and faculty exchange with gusto, but also 

looked for new sites to partner with in shared goals and mission. 

I am happy to announce that Nuvance Health GH and National 

Institute of Health Armenia forged a formal new alliance early in 

the year. Representatives of both institutions met via Zoom and 

communicated regularly beginning in October 2022, successfully 

resulting in a signed Memorandum of Agreement on January 10, 

2023. 

Written by Wendi 

Cuscina, MAS, CPM, PACT 

Manager of the Nuvance Health Global 



Health 


Both parties will collaborate to enrich their medical education 

programs in the context of GH and improve medical care through 

innovative approaches in education of our healthcare providers. 

Ms. Shushanik, the point person for business matters, is currently 

collaborating with Dr. Elina Mukhametshina on compiling a booklet 

that will provide valuable information on the facilities, culture, and 

dynamics in Armenia. Both Dr. Bazarchyan and Ms. Shushanik spent 

time in Danbury, CT attending the Nuvance Health GH Program’s 

Second Annual Conference in June. Soon, representatives from 

the Nuvance Health GH Program will arrange a short site visit to 

Armenia. 


Shushanik Isahakyan is the Head of the International Cooperation 

Department at National Institute of Health in Armenia. On May 22, 

2023, she arrived in Danbury for an official visit to the Nuvance Health 

Global Health (GH) Program. Shushanik has been instrumental 

in driving positive change in the healthcare sector through her 

involvement in local and international projects. During her stay, 

she visited Danbury and Norwalk hospitals, the GH Academy, and 

Sacred Heart University, and met with the leadership team to 

become acquainted with the program’s structure and key elements. 

Shushanik Isahakyan 

Head of the International Cooperation 

Department at National Institute of Health in 

Armenia, Armenia 

On June 5-6, Ms. Isahakyan, along with Dr. Alexander Bazarchyan, 

Director of National Institute of Health of Armenia, attended 

the Second GH Conference. These visits are part of our evolving 

collaboration with National Institute of Health of Armenia in efforts 

to establish a new program site. 

We look forward to our fruitful collaboration! 


105

Legacy Project 

Residents Fundraise for a School in Uganda 

In March-April 2023, three PGY-3 residents at Connecticut Institute For Communities—Alla Jusufi, Asima Mian, and 

Arezou Nazary—completed their Global Health (GH) electives at St. Francis Hospital, our partner site in Naggalama, 

Uganda. All three demonstrated exceptional engagement in clinical experiences and everyday clinical activities 

while forging meaningful connections with the local community. 

We want to highlight their outstanding efforts and success in raising $4250 for a small school in Uganda named 

Legacy. These funds supported the purchase of playground equipment, desks, backpacks, crocs (shoes), candy 

goodie bags, textbooks for teachers, white and colored chalk, and a mini-library with an atlas, dictionary, and fun 

reading books. 

Our heartfelt gratitude extends to everyone who contributed to this project. Your support has made a significant 

difference in the lives of these children and their community. They now have access to the basic necessities needed 

for success in school, paving the way for a brighter future. We are incredibly thankful for your support in making this 

possible. 

A special appreciation goes to Alla, Asima, and Arezou, the driving forces behind this endeavor. They have 

released a heartwarming video capturing the children at Legacy enjoying the newly acquired school supplies and 

playground. We invite you to take a moment to watch the video on their YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/ 

rcwqMy83_w0 and witness how each person can make a meaningful impact. 

Thank you for your support, generosity, and kindness. We take pride in such amazing participants in our GH Program. 

Legacy Project Video 


Pediatric Global Health Curriculum 

With the support of the Nuvance/University of Vermont Larner College 

of Medicine’s (UVMLCOM) Global Health (GH) Program, the UVMLCOM 

Pediatric Residency program rolled out a new GH curriculum in July 

2023. The three-year rotating curriculum is for all pediatric residents 

and is integrated into didactic, clinical, and experiential learning. Multiple 

pediatric faculty lend their expertise to teach about pediatric GH issues 

pertaining to newborn, child, and adolescent health and to share their 

experiences integrating GH into their careers. 

Written by 

Andrea Green, MD 

Professor of Pediatrics at the University 

of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, 

U.S. 

Among other topics, residents learn how to resettle a newly-arrived 

immigrant child in the clinical setting, make bubble Continuous Positive 

Airway Pressure (CPAP) in a workshop, and provide culturally safe and 

humble care in interactive didactic lessons. Medical student Zoe Nicozin 

was mentored and then taught a case-based Professor Rounds centered 

on her international adoption story and medical literature which was 

very well-received. Residents will also have the opportunity to complete 

electives abroad in their third year. 

Dr. Trina Thornburgh, who is bilingual in Spanish, is excited to spend 

her elective this coming summer in the Dominican Republic with the 

outstanding program at Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE). The 

Intercultural Development Inventory and a resident survey will be used to 

evaluate the resident GH curriculum. A poster outlining the Pediatric GH 

curriculum evaluation model was accepted for the UVMLCOM Teaching 

Academy’s Snow Season retreat and if selected will also be shown at the 

American Pediatric Program Directors annual meeting. 


107

Scholarly Activities 

Research Projects 

Ongoing Research Projects 

During 2023, members of the Nuvance Health Global 

Health (GH) team were involved in the following 

research projects: 

1. “Colonization and GH: Evaluation of a Virtual 

Educational Session” led by Majid Sadigh, Mitra 

Sadigh, and Dilyara Nurkhametova. 

2. “Creating a Decolonization Model in 

GH: An Evolving Practice” led by Majid 

Sadigh and Mitra Sadigh. 

3. “Creating a Decolonizing GH Curriculum 

in Undergraduate Medical Education: 

A Collaboration Among GH Leaders 

in High-and Low-to-Middle-Income 

Countries’’ led by Mary Shah, Joshua 

Matsiko, Shalote R. Chipamaunga Bamu, 

Samuel Luboga, and Hossein Akbari. 

4. “The Dynamic Nature of Medical Students’ 

Challenges During Clinical GH Electives Based 

on Students’ Weekly Reflections” led by Majid 

Sadigh, Dilyara Nurkhametova, Svanjita Berry, 

and Salwa Sadiq-Ali. 

5. “Essential GH Curriculum and Pedagogy in 

Undergraduate Medical Education” led by 

Majid Sadigh, Katherine Ferra Pradas, Benjamin 

Ssemata, Joshua Matsiko, Pamela Gorejena, 

Shalote Chipamaunga, and Stephen Scholand. 

Conferences 

Consortium of Universities for 

Global Health (CUGH) 2023 

Global Health at a Crossroads 

During the 2023 CUGH Conference, the Nuvance 

Health Global Health (GH) Program showcased its 

work through several poster presentations: 

Title: “Creating a Decolonizing GH Curriculum in 

Undergraduate Medical Education: A Collaboration Among 

GH Leaders and Medical Students in High- and Low-to- 

Middle-Income Countries” 

Presenter: Mitra Sadigh, Stony Brook, NY and Danbury, 

CT, U.S. 

Title: “Faculty Development Experience of Nuvance 

Health/University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine 

GH Program at Cho Ray Hospital, Vietnam” 

Presenter: Khoa Duong, MD, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 

Title: “GH Program for Vietnam’s Medical Students: Initial 

Attempt at University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho 

Chi Minh City” 

Presenter: Khoa Duong, MD, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 

6. “Transformation of GH Electives for Medical 

Students Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic” led 

by Majid Sadigh, Dilyara Nurkhametova, and Bulat 

Ziganshin. 

7. “Faculty Development Experience of Nuvance 

Health/University of Vermont Larner 

College of Medicine GH Program at Cho Ray 

Hospital, Vietnam” led by Majid Sadigh, Khoa 

Duong, Nam Nguyen, Uyen Tran, Phuong Hoang, 

Robyn Scatena, and Stephen Winter. 


Advocates for Global Health (GH) representing 

sixty-five countries across the globe converged into 

Washington, DC to speak and further their knowledge 

on healthcare equity. The Consortium of Universities 

for Global Health (CUGH) held its annual meeting at 

the Washington Hilton April 14-16. 

Pre-conference special events sessions began on 

Thursday, April 13. One of the most engaging and 

informative sessions I attended was “Breaking Down 

Barriers – Fostering Partnerships Between Academia 

and Policymakers.” This group of current and former 

members of Parliament, Senate, and Congress 

opened dialogue, collaboration, and exchange of 

ideas to successfully achieve political impact in GH 

based on science backed recommendations. To 

guarantee equity, reciprocity, diversity, and inclusivity, 

a multi-structural, multi-disciplinary approach must 

be implemented. 

All relationships are vital in collectively affecting 

GH, whether big or small, across the globe or 

across the neighborhood, through legal contract or 

simple handshake. Government, non-governmental 

organizations, private industry, faith-based 

institutions, healthcare, and academia must form 

partnerships and alliances with like-minded ideals 

to achieve our goals. In general, public and political 

attention neglect to look at GH and preparedness. 

We need to make compelling statements that cannot 

be ignored. Raising awareness of basic human rights 

is quintessential to establishing health nationally and 

globally. 

In my role as Manager and Administrator of Nuvance 

Health Policy Governance, I found the session 

“Closing the Gap: The Role of Mathematical Models 

in Global Infectious Disease Policy Setting” especially 

informative. Physicians and fellows from Harvard, 

John Hopkins, Washington State, and Nairobi 

Universities stressed the importance of factual data 

collection, embedding actual usage, experience, and 

collaboration with all group levels that the policy would 

affect to ensure effective change. Unfortunately, 

policymakers have historically made decisions for 

resource-limited regions based on incomplete data 

and significant under-representation of facts, resulting 

in policies that are ineffective or inappropriate to that 

region. 

Dr. Khoa Duong, representing Nuvance Health 

and University of Vermont in the U.S., and Cho Ray 

Written by 

Wendi Cuscina, MAS, CPM, PACT 

Manager of the Nuvance Health Global Health Program, 

U.S. 

Manager of Policy Governance for Nuvance Health 


Hospital in Vietnam, presented a poster at this 

year’s CUGH. The subject matter focused on faculty 

development, realized benefits, and challenges, as 

well as the GH Scholar experience. The culmination of 

his studies yielded that GH Scholars gained greater 

medical education than professional development 

skills. Future studies should explore how to further 

professional clinical development so that scholars 

sustain capacity building on returning home. 

Focusing on very current events, the Dobbs Decision 

was on prominent display at this year’s conference. 

Although too political and controversial to discuss in 

this forum, it should be known that the implementation 

of this process has categorized the U.S. as one in four 

countries that have moved backwards in advancing 

human reproductive rights and gender equality, which 

is especially problematic given that the world looks to 

the U.S. for leadership and direction. 

In conclusion, the true advancement of effective Global 

Public Health must embrace alliances, collaboration, 

and change on legal, political, medical, and education 

levels. International Human Rights Law as outlined 

in The Geneva Consensus is considered legitimate 

standards, regardless of whether governments want 

to acknowledge it. Society must hold decisionmakers, 

policymakers, and governments accountable for all 

human health across the globe. 


109

The Science Summit at the United Nations General 

Assembly (UNGA78) 

This past year, the Nuvance Health Global Health (GH) 

program made its second appearance at the Science 

Summit of the United Nations General Assembly 

(UNGA78), this time on two separate panels. The 

first, titled “Shifting Power Paradigms: Towards 

an Equitable Global Health Stewardship,” was 

moderated by Nelson Sewankambo, MD, Professor 

Emeritus at Makerere University of Health Sciences. 

Speakers included Hossein Akbarialiabad, MD MSc; 

Sabrina Bakeera-Kitaka, MBChB, MMED, FPID, PhD; 

Chiratidzo E Ndhlovu, M Med Sci(Clin Epi), FRCP; Mitra 

Sadigh; and Vincent Setlhare, MD, MBA. 

The second panel, titled “Optimizing Global Health 

Exchange Programs for Participants from Low-to- 

Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in High-Income 

Countries (HIC),” was moderated by Mitra Sadigh, 

Writer, Editor, and Researcher at the Nuvance Health 

/ University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine 

Global Health Program and fourth-year medical 

student at the Stony Brook University Renaissance 

School of Medicine. Speakers included Shalote 

Chipamaunga, PhD, MEd; Khoa Duong, MD MPH, 

MSc(HPE); and Tendai Machingaidze, MD, MDiv, 

MA(CE). 

The first panel was a comprehensive discussion 

examining power dynamics and decision-making within 

GH governance, emphasizing empowering LMICs 

and fostering bottom-up decision-making. Driven by 

the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 

(SDGs) principles, the panel aimed to demarcate 

health and science from political influence, using the 

lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic to 

promote critical discourse on equitable collaboration 

between LMICs and HICs, advocating for a shift in 

power dynamics and more democratic stewardship 

in international institutions. Based on the UNGA78 

theme of SDGs, the voices of LMICs were conjoined 

to focus global attention on the challenges that affect 

implementation of SDGs among the most vulnerable 

populations in LMICs while suggesting feasible and 

effective solutions. 

The second panel centered the experiences of 

individuals from LMICs hosted in HICs for GH 

rotations, contrasting the attention and structure 

Written by Mitra Sadigh 

Writer, Editor, and Researcher at the Nuvance Health 

Global Health Program and fourth-year medical student 

at the Stony Brook University Renaissance School of 

Medicine, U.S. 

given to individuals from HICs hosted in LMICs in the 

context of global discussion around how to achieve 

bidirectionality in GH exchange programs. Given the 

rules that prevent LMIC participants from conducting 

histories or physical examinations, accessing 

patients’ medical records, or sometimes even 

participating in clinical discussions, panelists shed 

light on the structural, personal, and cultural barriers 

that serve as barriers in achieving an optimal GH 

experience. Conducted in a “fireside chat” format, the 

panel was very well-received, encouraging audience 

participation and offering solutions for a more 

equitable path forward. 

We are grateful for another opportunity to challenge 

our program in new frontiers, deepen collaborations 

within our program and with the UNGA Science 

Summit, and participate in meaningful discussions in 

the GH arena. We thank Declan Kirrane, Chairman 

and Managing Director of the Science Summit at 

UNGA78; Pilar Gomez, Co-Chair Science Summit at 

UNGA78; Majid Sadigh, MD, Convenor at UNGA78 and 

Founding Director of Nuvance GH; and Swapnil Parve, 

MD, PhD, Co-Convenor at UNGA78 and Director of 

the Majid Sadigh, MD GH Academy. 


Peer Reviewed Publications 

Hussain M, Sadigh M, Sadigh M, Rastegar A, 

Sewankambo N. Colonization and decolonization 

of Global Health: which way forward? Glob 

Health Action. 2023 Dec 31;16(1):2186575. doi: 

10.1080/16549716.2023.2186575. PMID: 36940174; 

PMCID: PMC10035955. 

Link to the Article: https://www.tandfonline.com/ 

doi/full/10.1080/16549716.2023.2186575 

Kalyesubula R, Sadigh M, Okong B, Munana 

R, Weswa I, Katali EA, Sewanyana J, Levine J 

and Sadigh M (2023) ACCESS model: a step 

toward an empowerment model in Global Health 

education. Front. Educ. 8:1214743. doi: 10.3389/ 

feduc.2023.1214743 

Link to the Article: https://www.frontiersin.org/ 

articles/10.3389/feduc.2023.1214743/full 


111

To Dr. Robert Kalyesubula, 

President of the Uganda 

Kidney Foundation as well as 

President and Founder of the 

African Community Center 

for Social Sustainability 

(ACCESS), for receiving the 

Distinguished Service Award 

from the Uganda Kidney 

Foundation as well as being 

elected as President of the 

Uganda Society for Health 

Scientists. 

To Wendi Cuscina, Manager of the Nuvance 

Health Global Health program, for successfully 

completing her Master’s Degree Program in 

Applied Sciences, specializing in Global Health 

Planning and Management from Johns Hopkins 

University. 

To Dr. Khoa Duong for his 

graduation with a Masters in 

Health Professions Education 

from Boston University. 

To Dr. Swapnil Parve for successfully defending his PhD thesis titled 

“Hemodynamic and Cardiometabolic Relationship in Young Patients.” 


Global Health Electives 

2023 By the Numbers 

The year 2023 has been exceptionally productive, 

marking the return of the Global Health (GH) 

Program’s international activities to full capacity. Our 

medical students, residents, and faculty members 

traveled to six countries: the Dominican Republic, 

India, Uganda, Thailand, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe, 

collectively spending 348 weeks at international sites. 

Over fifty medical students from the University of 

Vermont Larner College of Medicine, American 

University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, 

and Ross University School of Medicine completed 

their GH Electives at our partner sites, totaling over 

300 weeks. Additionally, we resumed GH Electives 

for residents, five of whom completed rotations in 

Uganda, totaling twenty-four weeks. 

During their time abroad, our residents not only 

advanced their medical knowledge and clinical skills 

but also engaged in meaningful community activities, 

raised funds for local communities, and established 

valuable connections for the future, ensuring lasting 

impact. 

Twelve faculty members visited our GH sites, 

dedicating eighteen weeks to teaching courses, 

delivering lectures, and supervising students during 

the initial weeks of their GH electives. 

In 2023, Nuvance Health welcomed ten international 

faculty members, scholars, and residents from 

Written by 


Director of Operations at the Nuvance Health Global Health 

Program, U.S. 

Armenia, the Dominican Republic, Thailand, and 

Vietnam, totaling sixty-point-five weeks of training. 

This exchange reflects our commitment to bilateral 

collaboration, reciprocity, and capacity building in our 

partner sites. 

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our international 

GH partners for their hospitality and for providing 

an amazing and incredibly rewarding GH experience 

for our participants. We also thank faculty members 

at Nuvance Health for their dedication and effort in 

capacity building during visits to our partner sites and 

while hosting our GH Scholars in the U.S. 

113 NUVANCE ANNUAL REPORT HEALTH2023 

113

56 12 10 

medical students and 

residents participated 

in GHEs 

faculty members 

travelled to 

GH sites 

GH scholars 

completed clinical 

rotations at NH 

306 18 60.5 

weeks MS 

spent at GH sites 

weeks faculty 

members spent 

at GH sites 

weeks GH scholars 

spent at NH 

More detailed information about the Global Health elective can be found in the interview with our American 

University of the Caribbean / Ross University School of Medicine coordinator Jeffrey Anderson: 

https://www.aucmed.edu/about/news/ghi-international-opportunities-for-clinical-students 

114 

ANNUAL REPORT 2023

Global Health Electives - Overview 

NUMBER OF GHE PARTICIPANTS 

NUMBER OF GHE PARTICIPANTS 

AUC, 15 Students 

RUSM, 20 Students 

UVMLCOM, 16 Students 

Residents, 5 Residents 

20 

15 

10 

5 

0 

NUMBER OF STUDENTS PER DATE BLOCK 

18 

8 

7 

5 5 

4 

2 2 

BL1 BL2 BL3 BL4 BL5 BL6 BL7 BL8 

Zimbabwe, 5 Students 

DR, 5 Students 

India, 5 Students 

Thailand, 4 Students 

Uganda ACCESS, 2 

Students 

Uganda St. Stephens, 

3 Students 

Uganda Makarere, 7 

Students & Residents 

Uganda Naggalama, 9 

Students & Residents 

Vietnam, 16 Students 

JAN 1 - FEB 17, 2023 

FEB 19 - MAR 31, 2023 

APR 3 - MAY 12 ,2023 

MAY 15 - JUN 23, 2023 

JUN 26 - AUG 4, 2023 

AUG 7 - SEP 15, 2023 

SEP 18 - OCT 27, 2023 

OCT 30 - DEC 8, 2023 


115

Global Health Electives: Perspectives of Students at American University of 

the Caribbean (AUC) and Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) 

Upon completing the Global Health (GH) elective, we ask students to fill out a Final Evaluation Survey to share their 

feedback and reflections on their GH experience. In 2023, we received survey responses from thirty-five students 

from American University of the Caribbean/Ross University School of Medicine (AUC/RUSM) who completed their 

GH electives. Here, we share the survey results. 

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING BEST DESCRIBES YOUR 

MOTIVATION FOR TAKING THIS ELECTIVE? 

Interest in global health 

(n=35, 30%) 

Cultural immersion 

(n=27, 23%) 

Work in resource-limited 

settings (n=23, 20%) 

Interest in travel 

(n=21, 18%) 

Improve language skills 

(n=5, 4%) 

Visit country of family 

origin (n=5, 4%) 

GLOBAL HEALTH ELECTIVE SPECIALTIES 

Internal Medicine 

Infectious Disease/Tropical Medicine 13 

Emergency Medicine 

Surgery 

Obstetrics/Gynecology 

Radiology 

Neurosurgery 

Anesthesiology 

Community Outreach 

Dermatology 

Hematology 

Pediatrics 

Cardiology 

Family Medicine 

Neurology 

Oncology 

Orthopedics 

Palliative Care 

Psychiatry 

Rheumatology 

14 

8 

7 

6 

4 

3 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 


Listening to Students: GH 

Elective Post-Elective Survey 

Responses 

Clinical Experience 

This Experience Has Helped Me to Improve the Skills Required 

to Work as a Physician in Resource-Limited Settings 

Strongly agree (37.1%, n=13) 

Agree (51.4%, n=18) 

Neutral (5.7%, n=2) 

Disagree (2.9%, n=1) 

Strongly disagree (2.9%, n=1) 

I Was Exposed to a Wide Array of Clinical Cases 

During the Elective 


Agree (25.7%, n=9) 


Disagree (2.9%, n=1) 

Strongly disagree (0%, n=0) 

How Would You Rate Your Clinical Experience Overall? 

Excellent (51.4%, n=18) 

Very Good (17.1%, n=6) 

Good (22.9%, n=8) 

Poor (8.6%, n=3) 

Very Poor (0%, n=0) 


117

GH Elective Value and Overall Experience 

This Elective Experience Has Been of 

a Great Career Value 

This Elective Experience Has Been of 

a Great Educational Value 


Agree (22.9%, n=8) 


Disagree (0%, n=0) 



Agree (25.7%, n=9) 




How Would You Rate Your Overall Experience 

with this Elective? 

Would You Recommend This Elective 

to Your Colleagues? 

Excellent (54.3%, n=19) 

Very Good (22.9%, n=8) 

Good (22.9%, n=8) 

Poor (0%, n=0) 

Very Poor (0%, n=0) 

Yes (97.1%, n=34) 

No (2.9%, n=1) 


GH Elective Value and Overall Experience 

Please Indicate the Impact of Your Global Health 

Experience on Your Career Plans 

This Experience Has Helped Me to Improve 

the Skills Required for Cross-Cultural 

Communication and Cooperation 

Convinced me to include GH as the only career 

option (20.07%, n=7) 

Encouraged me to pursue a career in GH (71.4%, 

n=25) 

Discouraged me from pursuing a career in GH (2.9%, 

n=1) 

No impact (5.7%, n=2) 


Agree (45.7%, n=16) 



Strongly disagree (2.9%, n=1) 

Do You Think This Elective Experience Will Influence 

Your Practice of Medicine? 

Would You Visit Your Global Health Site 

in the Future? 

Yes (94.3%, n=33) 

No (5.7%, n=2) 

Yes (91.4%, n=32) 

No (8.6%, n=3) 


119

Student Insights: GH Elective Experiences 

What are your insights from the GH elective? 

“Anyone can make a difference. Exposure to challenges can have a huge impact. A little compassion goes a long way.” 

“Communication is the key to being a successful clinician.” 

“This was a very eye-opening elective. It taught me that as Americans we rely a ton on technology and definitely have 

great access to simple things like water and x-rays. It showed me that even in 2023, people are still dying from things that 

have cures but not the resources to treat. It has given me a better understanding and appreciation of what having access 

to resources truly means.” 

“Don’t go into it thinking you as a medical student are going to make a huge impact. Just take it as an experience to learn 

and grow personally and professionally.” 

“Every medical student in the U.S. should experience at least once what it is like to practice medicine in another country. 

This will only make them better physicians.” 

What were the most valuable aspects of this elective? 

“The cultural exposure, and the experience of medicine in a resource-limited setting. Most valuable was speaking with other 

students and physicians about life as a doctor in Vietnam.” 

“I learned how to practice medicine on a global scale with fewer resources and information available to me in a way that 

helped me become more proactive, think outside the box, and improve my medical skills.” 

“Being submerged in the healthcare system was an extremely valuable way to learn. I was able to see things and speak 

with native doctors to understand why things were occurring as they were.” 

Why will you recommend the GH Elective?: 

“It was life-changing. I don’t know how else to explain it. The opportunity to go to an entirely different medical system and 

practice medicine with all of my knowledge and be collaborative with the medical doctors in a different environment is 

synergistic for both myself and my new international colleagues.” 

“We must expose ourselves to other cultures in order to grow and expand.” 

“This elective was life-changing. There is no way you can get through a program like this and not become a better human 

and a better colleague/physician.” 

“This was a very valuable experience. The cultural immersion alone is priceless. Living and immersing myself in the local 

culture has given me a different perspective not only on medicine but also life. I definitely recommend that everyone 

attend this eye-opening experience.” 

“I feel that this elective provided so much insight into healthcare from another perspective. It helped create lifelong 

friendships and connections within India.” 


How will it influence your practice? 

“It reinforced my need to provide care for those with low resources and access to health. It taught me that there are many 

things that can be done with limited resources, and opportunities for finding new ways of doing things.” 

“I would like to pursue more opportunities such as this one, not only in my education but also in my future career. I am 

interested in healthcare equity.” 

“It will influence me to always look at patients from a cultural perspective and add that to their care.” 

“This experience will help me think outside the box when I am treating my patients and also be mindful of the resources I 

am using in their treatments.” 

“It gives me a new perspective on practicing medicine and allows for greater empathy, creativity, and compassion.” 

What will be the reasons to visit your GH site in the future?: 

“I would love to go back once I complete training so I can have a more meaningful impact on medicine in Zimbabwe.” 

“The connections made were deep and I hope to return with the proper resources needed for the community.” 

“I want to continue to help as well as reconnect with the people I now know.” 

“I loved the way the program is trying to help the community. There are so many projects in place that make a great 

impact. I want to go back and contribute more to it.” 

“Because of the experience, I now have family in India and at Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education & Research 

(DMIHER). Just to visit, to shop, to work, are all reasons I will continue to visit my GH site in the future.” 

“There was an American physician visiting the emergency room to help in the training of their residents because EM is a 

fairly new specialty. Would love to be able to do that in the future or just be able to be more of help once I have completed 

my training” 

“I have become friends now with some of the doctors there who I would like to see again in the future. There are also so 

many departments at Cho Ray Hospital. Six weeks was only enough time to pass through three departments. I would have 

loved to experience more.” 

“I plan to stay connected to the people in Wardha. I have potential research projects with Datta Meghe Institute of Higher 

Education & Research (DMIHER) that I will continue to pursue. Maybe this will bring me back one day in the future.” 


121

Global Health Reflections 

Global Local 

Soon, my time at the Larner College of Medicine at 

University of Vermont comes to a close and I begin a 

new adventure: internal medicine residency at Virginia 

Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, VA. I 

find myself reflecting on the role Global Health (GH) 

played throughout my medical school career and in 

my life so far, while becoming curious about how it will 

continue to be part of my training at VCU. 

I started medical school knowing I wanted to be part 

of GH, but was still formulating what that meant to 

me. From my time as a community health volunteer 

in the Peace Corps in Paraguay, I knew several things: 

I wanted to be based in the U.S., I believed in equal 

partnership, and, when I worked abroad, I ultimately 

hoped to develop a long-term relationship with one 

community to which I’d return over the years. 

The GH Program welcomed me from the onset of 

medical school. I was set to go to the Dominican 

Republic the summer after my first year, something 

I couldn’t have been more excited about. I couldn’t 

wait to see what GH from the medical perspective 

was like, as the Peace Corps had already given me 

a glimpse of GH from the public health perspective. 

Then COVID-19 came and everything changed. 

My trip to the Dominican Republic was canceled. No 

one, new or seasoned, in GH could travel easily as the 

pandemic raged. The leaders in GH around me who 

had previously looked abroad, looked inward to their 

local communities as they could no longer travel. Was 

it possible to address GH on a local level? 

I helped with flu clinics for migrant workers in Vermont. 

I took part in early discussions and projects of 

the Emergency Department Diversity, Equity, and 

Inclusion Committee at University of Vermont Medical 

Center as part of the New American Subcommittee. 

I helped develop a longitudinal GH curriculum to be 

Written by Jett Choquette, MD 

University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Class 

2023, U.S. 

included as part of the University of Vermont Larner 

College of Medicine (UVMLCOM) curriculum. I found a 

community in the GH Program, but still hadn’t found a 

project that blended my love of health and Spanish in 

the way I hoped. 

I moved to Connecticut for my clinical years of training 

(the third and fourth years of medical school) as a 

member of the UVMLCOM Connecticut campus 2023 

class cohort. I became connected with Elvis Novas, 

a leader of the Dominican Community Center (DCC) 

in Danbury, CT. The DCC is a non-profit that seeks 

to empower the Dominican community and other 

Hispanic/Latinx/Latino communities in the Danbury, 

CT area. Working together over the past two years, 

the DCC and I built a partnership between the Latinx 

community and the GH Program. As part of this 

partnership, we designed projects to promote health 

literacy. 

I was grateful for the kind welcome and dedication 

of the DCC members as our partnership blossomed. 

Earlier this spring, a new third-year medical student 

took over my role as the Community Liaison from 


the GH Program to the DCC, as my graduation was 

looming. The DCC is currently planning a summer 

youth leadership academy that will include a health 

literacy component. 

Despite the unexpected twist the COVID-19 

pandemic caused in my GH journey, I ultimately found 

my medical school GH home in Danbury, CT working 

with the DCC. The opportunity to collaborate with an 

important population within the community where 

I was training as a medical student resonated with 

me as especially important. I was glad that the GH 

Program was prioritizing local GH efforts. 

The importance of empowering Latinx people 

within the Danbury, CT healthcare system became 

increasingly evident as I spent more time in the clinic 

and hospital. Nuvance serves many Spanish and 

Brazil-Portuguese speaking patients. Danbury has a 

diverse medical community with many doctors, nurses, 

and other healthcare professionals who are native 

Spanish or Portuguese speakers—yet the challenges 

of communication across cultures and languages 

remains for many healthcare professionals, including 

myself, where Spanish and/or Portuguese are second 

languages. The challenge of using phone interpreters 

can delay care and cause confusion. Partnering with 

the local community, such as the DCC, gives the GH 

Program an opportunity to address the challenge of 

providing healthcare locally to people from all around 

the world. 

Partnerships like the DCC-GH Program allow our local 

health system to better learn from and involve local 

communities in healthcare improvement. It allows 

us to open a channel of communication where the 

exchange of ideas can flow both ways and the end 

goal of improving health for all becomes a mission 

that both the health system and the community own. 

I’ve been honored to take part in the development of 

the DCC-GH Program partnership. While I’m no longer 

the medical student on-the-ground helping the DCC, I 

remain connected to the DCC community. I can’t wait 

to see how our Danbury community continues to grow 

and evolve in the future. 


123

Enduring 

they say, within ourselves 

we carry 

a small cemetery 

we visit, from time to time 

to pray 

Written by 

Micaila Baroffio 



here, the more 

a silver nimbus stilled, restrained battered, not 

battering 

scarlet bonds severed 

floating 

freed, finally 

here, the father 

as statue snow crested, fallen 

bloom blooming through alabaster cracks the son, 

witnessed, 

facade 

crumbling 

here, the brother 

an old oak strangled 

from the inside, thorned needles creeping tumor 

pressing, pressing 

invading , insistent 

inevitable 

here, the child, 

a willow blossom drawn 

from its branch, into riffle, tide, torrent of voices, 

howling 

Willow mourning 

blossom 

drowning 

gravestones all 

here, enduring. 


Dominican Republic - Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE) 

Symphony of Perspectives: Harmony Found in Global Health Experience 

As I sit down to revisit the treasure trove of reflections from my 

Global Health elective in the Dominican Republic, I am overwhelmed 

by the depth of knowledge gained and the profound impact it has 

had on my outlook towards medicine and the world at large. This 

immersive experience has unraveled a multitude of layers, revealing 

fundamental truths and invaluable lessons that have left an indelible 

mark on my professional and personal ethos. 

Written by 

Bahareh Sharafi 

One of the most profound realizations that emerged from my 

reflections is the universal connectivity among humans, transcending 

geographical, cultural, and socioeconomic boundaries. Regardless of 

our origins or circumstances, our shared pursuit of basic needs and 

desires unites us as a species. This realization served as a poignant 

reminder that the essence of humanity lies in these common 

aspirations—a realization that has deeply informed my approach 

towards patient care and understanding the diverse needs of 

individuals. 

Ross University School of Medicine, Class of 

2024, Barbados. 

The contrast between fiscal perspectives in the Dominican Republic 

and the U.S. was stark. Despite significant material disparities, what 

resonated most was the pervasive positivity and resilience ingrained 

in the fabric of everyday life. It was awe-inspiring to witness an 

environment where material wealth wasn’t abundant, yet the richness of the human spirit prevailed. The streets 

were adorned not with opulence, but with genuine smiles and heartfelt greetings of “Walk with God” in Spanish—a 

testament to the profound wealth of their souls and the resilience that permeated their existence. 

This experience underscored the incredible value of embracing diverse cultures and perspectives. Navigating the 

intricacies of language and cultural nuances within a medical context was an enlightening journey. The opportunity 

to learn and adapt to a different cultural paradigm while delivering healthcare was both humbling and invaluable. 

It illuminated the importance of fostering cultural competence in medical practice, allowing for a more empathetic 

and holistic approach towards patient care. 

From a medical standpoint, the disparities in resources and technology were striking. The contrast between the 

abundance of medical supplies in the U.S. and the scarcity faced in the Dominican Republic was eye-opening. Basic 

essentials like gloves and hand sanitizer, often taken for granted in major hospitals in the U.S., were cherished as 

precious resources due to their scarcity. This experience deeply impressed upon me the significance of resource 

management and the need for innovative solutions to bridge these disparities. 

In summary, this elective has been a profound and enriching journey that has significantly shaped my perspective 

on medicine and the world. It has broadened my understanding of the interconnectedness of humanity, highlighted 

the importance of cultural immersion in healthcare, and instilled a profound gratitude for the resources and 

advancements available in medical practice. It has not only equipped me with a deeper appreciation for diversity 

and resilience but has also ignited a fervent commitment to promoting equitable healthcare access and embracing 

cultural diversity in my future practice. 


125

India — Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education & 

Research (DMIHER) 

It’s hard to believe that I just completed my last week here in Wardha. 

The excitement, the adjustment, the learning, the accustomation to 

the culture, all packed within six weeks yet representing a lifetime of 

teachings. My final week has been spent between writing my case 

report, working in the medical Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and bidding 

adieu to the friends I made here. 

Written by 

Monica Dhiman 


2024, Barbados 

I started each day with Dr. Shourya and Dr. Srinivas in morning rounds, 

soaking in any new clinical experiences and education possible. We 

had a rare admission this week: Japanese Encephalitis. I hadn’t even 

heard of this disease until now, but it is found quite prominent in the rural 

agricultural regions of Japan and Uttar Pradesh, India. The patient is 

a young male in his thirties who presented with a fever and viral illness 

symptoms just two weeks before. However, late confirmation of 

diagnosis and having rare complications, the patient was already too 

far gone when he arrived at our ICU. His Magnetic Resonance Imaging 

(MRI) and CT results showed almost total obliteration of the midbrain 

with no discernible difference between sulcus and gyrus; a sure sign of 

a point from which there is no return. 

We knew there was nothing that could be possibly done to help the 

patient. He was only breathing with the control of a ventilator, and 

brain reflexes were non-existent. Within the next few days the patient’s 

family said their good-byes and I was again reminded of the fragility of 

humans and how limited we are within the depths of medicine. Seeing 

a patient so young who was put in this state by a mere mosquito bite 

brings upon a burden of mixed feelings and questioning of why such 

things happen that are so out of our control. But as we all know, it’s the 

pain we carry as medical professionals. 

No matter how difficult the cases have been to witness, I am beyond 

grateful for what this rotation has given me. I’ve formed connections 

with residents and faculty that will last for years to come. I’ve been 

able to surround myself with the people and culture of Wardha. I am 

thankful. I never thought I would be sad leaving, but I am. I’ll use the 

memories and teachings I’ve learned in my everyday life back home, 

and hope to continue my role in Global Health throughout my future 

as a medical professional. 


Thailand — Walailak University 

Quite a lot of what I have experienced here so far is similar to what I 

see in the U.S. on a daily basis. We live in a town with a grocery store, 

restaurants, and a couple hospitals close by that provide very good 

care. The hospital we round in is very developed, and in some ways 

better than American hospitals; however, it was only opened in the 

last two years and is quite empty as it is still building itself up. This is in 

contrast to many other Thai hospitals where every bed is constantly 

full, and people have to sleep on the ground, hallways, and elevators. 

Every specialty is under one large roof, including veterinary care, 

dental care, primary care, and emergency care, to name a few. 

However, being new, the hospital still lacks physicians and staff, and 

so it sees fewer patients. 

Written by 

Ian Minearo, MD 



The students here are just like the students back in the U.S., which is 

no surprise because people often are similar wherever you go. Being 

in a more urban, industrialized area, students come from middle 

to upper-class backgrounds, go out on weekends, share gossip, 

date around, and feel detached from the traditions and religions of 

their elders. Yesterday, we went to the big temple in the area (Wat 

Phra Mahathat) and participated in a ceremony with the first-year 

medical students in which we wrapped a golden cloth around the 

temple in honor of the Buddha. None of the students could tell us the 

history, why it was being done, or seemed to care about it. Though it 

was a nice ceremony, the youth couldn’t care less about an ancient 

tradition they know nothing about, just as in the U.S. 

Right: Ian Minearo with the surgical team during his 

Global Health elective at Walailak University 

Next page top: Stephen Scholand, MD; Jonah 

Levine; Ian Minearo; and Rebecca Chavez en route 

to Thailand 


127

However, the differences in culture are slowly peeking 

through the similarities that have been so present during 

my time here in Thailand. In many places, mostly outside 

the urban and city environments, there is a level of 

poverty beyond what you may see in the U.S., although 

in certain parts of the U.S., it is similar to a degree that is 

despicable and disappointing. We went to the beach with 

local medical students and drove through a community of 

Muslim people living in metal shacks. They did not have 

any grocery stores nearby, or access to clean water. It was 

something out of a travel documentary. They were not 

forced to live there. Unlike in the U.S., the major religions— 

Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam—all live peacefully and 

respectfully together. However, they did not have the 

means to live another way, and it was strange passing 

them by in the students’ luxury cars with my resources 

that were at least ten-fold theirs. 

Part of me feels that I am not getting an authentic view 

into Thai culture because I have only seen the urban and 

city environments, and often those environments are 

similar across the world. However, another part of me 

feels that I am just looking for examples to fit the heuristics 

I have created in my head of what I expect Southeast 

Asian culture to be like from what I have viewed through 

documentaries, YouTube, and Western media. Coming 

here, I was expecting much more noticeable differences 

than what I am seeing now, but I have also only seen a 

sliver of Thailand so there is much more I probably am 

not seeing that I don’t know about. There will always be 

so much more to learn, and I will not have the chance to 

experience it. 


Uganda 

Karamoja: A Land Out of the World and My 

Most Invaluable University 

Karamoja, a very remote place where neither colonial powers nor 

the Ugandan government could control over past centuries, is home 

to a unique lifestyle. This area is technology repellent. There is little 

connection with the outside world. Sugar, salt, and oil are not used 

in the villages for cooking, while they still use wild grains. I traveled 

to the villages and warrior camps to further understand the culture. 

All individuals—women, children, elders, and even warriors—only 

consume one meal daily. 

Written by 

Hossein Akbarialiabad, MD 

Faculty member at the Nuvance Health 

Global Health Academy, Danbury, CT, 

USA, and senior fellow at St George and 

Sutherland Clinical School, UNSW Medicine, 

Sydney, Australia 

. 

In villages, all families regardless of income have one meal per day 

together, all consisting of wild grains and beer from local grass. 

The only piece of advanced technology in this society were AK-47 

firearms to protect their cows. Further shocking was that people do 

not have mirrors. They only recognize their faces while looking at 

the water. When we were taking selfies together, villagers did not 

understand that it was their face in the picture. 

Prior to my journey, I studied Karamoja, 

learning basic vocabulary and what (not) to do. 

Surprisingly they call our car “moving house” 

and the helicopter, “big bad” in their local 

tongue. When it comes to medicine, only local 

interventions were present and people have 

never seen manufactured pills. The children 

stared at me while practicing their local customs 

and fashion. At one point, a child touched 

me, yelled and scurried back to her mother, 

screaming, “Mzungu! Mzungu!” meaning “White 

person! White person!” in their local language. 

Some of the other children came and touched 

me as if making sure I was of the same species. 

After I somewhat adjusted to this new environment, I noticed a pure sense of humanity. I had a lovely stay thanks 

to Paul, my guide, and translator, who taught me how to grind the grains with rocks, cook the food using wild grains, 

and make baskets for storage using branches of local trees and grasses. I enjoyed being in a place where there 

was no arrogance or self-centrism. The head of the village was sleeping on the floor at midday under the shadow 

of a tree while others were talking in a session-like meeting, an image now ingrained in my mind. Another notable 

observation was that men do not wear underwear; adults cover themselves with a special cover that I even used 

on my regular clothes while boys do not have a cover at all. 


129

In warrior camps, men above the age of seven have one meal consisting of milk and blood from the cows. That one 

meal is enough for them, as they believe it makes them strong. Further surprising is the lack of a roof. Even their 

cows, goats, and cattle had ceilings, but people did not. During one particular night there was heavy rain, yet the 

warriors kept sleeping. Puzzled, I asked my translator what their plan was, to which he responded, “Nothing! We are 

happy that the rain is coming. It helps us provide food for our cattle so we do not run away! We are happy!” And they 

kept sleeping as the rain continued. 

During my time at the warrior camps, I had opportunities to speak with locals. I was curious about how much 

knowledge they have about the rest of their country and the world. Essentially, they had no understanding of the 

outside. For instance, they were unaware of the current president and the existence of the COVID-19 pandemic. As 

a result, I was not allowed to use masks as it could be a source of misinterpretation and show disrespect. 

One night in the warrior camp as we gathered around the fire, I wanted to better understand this society and the 

extent to which they were isolated. I was struggling with how exactly to inquire about this respectfully. I began by 

asking them some fundamental questions, such as whether the earth is a sphere. An older man told me that up until 

a few years ago when he met individuals from other parts of Uganda, he thought that the Karamojans were the only 

tribe in the entire world. I was stunned and asked myself if I have any beliefs that are similar. It was one of the most 

important lessons I gained from my trip to Africa. 

From my time in the slums of Katange in Kampala, Uganda’s capital, I thought that a roof and family were enough 

to be happy. In the refugee settlements on the border of Uganda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of 

the Congo I found you can be happy and dance even in harsh conditions with a maximum of one meal per day. But 

in the warrior camps of Karamoja I found that one can savor life without even a camp or a ceiling. Humanity can 

overcome all challenges, adapting to each environment in its own special ways. 


Uganda — African Community Center for Social 

Sustainability (ACCESS) 

My sixth week in Uganda for the Global Health elective has been 

nothing short of enlightening. Overall, it has been an incredible 

experience, one that has left me with a sense of hope and the belief 

that the goals we’ve set are indeed reachable. The mission and 

values of the African Community Center for Social Sustainability 

(ACCESS), the organization I’ve been working with, have become 

deeply ingrained in my understanding and I’m determined to spread 

the word and provide continual support. 

Written by 

Annaërolande Charles 



The journey has not been without its challenges, as we encountered 

some unexpected hardships along the way. For instance, we 

experienced a three-day stretch without electricity and accessible 

water. These were stark reminders of the everyday realities faced 

by the community we were serving. It made me appreciate the basic 

amenities we often take for granted in our daily lives. 

As the elective came to a close, I found myself in a bittersweet state of 

mind. On one hand, there was excitement in the prospect of returning 

to my normal life in the U.S., with all its conveniences and comforts. 

On the other hand, there was a tinge of sadness in leaving behind the 

vibrant community that had become like family during my time here. 

The sense of hope we’ve provided to this community is something I 

am determined to keep alive. I want to continue supporting ACCESS 

and spreading awareness about its mission and values. It is crucial 

that more people understand the incredible work being done here 

and offer their support, whether through donations, volunteering, or 

sharing the organization’s story. 

Leaving the community has given me a renewed sense of purpose, 

and I am committed to helping the people and the organization 

even from afar. The experiences and relationships forged during this 

elective will stay with me, serving as a reminder of the impact we can 

make when we come together to improve the health and well-being 

of those in need. 


131

Uganda — Mulago Hospital 

stories were true and how much was an exaggeration. 

“It was all true,” I thought to myself as I stood in the 

breakroom of the Family Medicine Department after 

watching the first ninety minutes of the oral exams, 

still in shock and envy that the oral exam was only 

nine minutes of discussing Family Medicine principles 

and applying them to a clinical encounter they 

encountered during electives. I watched as the staff 

enjoyed tea and pancake-like treats as they greeted, 

smiled, laughed, and engaged in sharing stories. I felt 

like I was at a social gathering rather than work, which 

was jarring but refreshing. 

Written by Benita Ashu 

Ross University School of Medicine, Class of 2023, Barbados 

Stop and Enjoy 

When I got to my seat and settled in for the long flight 

from New York City to Nairobi, I turned to my right to 

greet my neighbor. I was pleasantly surprised when he 

mentioned he was Ugandan and going back home to 

Uganda. In my excitement, I interrogated him about 

his culture and his experience in the U.S. With pride, he 

gushed about the local dishes like the famous mashed 

banana dish known as matoke, bars that never close, 

and the laid-back lifestyle of his people. 

I asked him to elaborate on the laid-back lifestyle. 

He discussed how he would typically go to work and 

socialize for an hour before working for a few hours. 

Then he would take an hour or two for lunch and 

go home when he used to work in Uganda. I stared 

incredulously which elicited a smile. He went on to 

discuss working in the U.S. He reminisced, “the first time 

I worked a full shift in the U.S. I thought to myself... this 

must be the slavery they were talking about.” A loud 

laugh erupted from me as he described his struggle 

to adjust to the American work ethic. Enraptured, 

I asked for details while wondering how many of his 

Thus, I settled in to quietly spectate as the staff 

conversed, until two of the staff pulled me in a 

conversation to discuss the differences between 

medical school, family medicine, and examinations 

in the U.S. and Uganda. It was interesting to note key 

differences: 

(a) Medical school in Uganda is an undergraduate 

rather than graduate program like in the U.S. 

(b) The equivalent of applying to a three-year or 

longer residency in the U.S. to specialize is one year of 

internship and a few years of work experience before 

applying to a graduate program with the medical 

specialty of interest. 

(c) Family Medicine is special or “elective” while it is a 

mandatory key rotation at my school. 

(d) Family medicine here involves having the family 

involved to some extent because treatment and 

expenses are usually covered by the family rather 

than the individual unlike in the U.S. 

(e) Family medicine in Uganda involves managing 

resources, assessing patient fears and expectations, 

and identifying the social as well environmental 

factors; the rough U.S. equivalent is the assessment of 

the social determinants of health, which typically falls 

into the domain of Public Health and may be applied 

as needed if relevant to the patient. 


As we continued to compare the 

differences, someone announced 

the break was over. As I walked 

out with my preceptor to resume 

watching exams for a few hours 

before a long lunch, I felt energized 

and relaxed which was rare for me 

to feel in the U.S. I was typically alert, 

motivated, busy, and typically tired 

until I left the clinic, class, or hospital 

where I could relax and recharge 

at home. The idea of relaxing and 

recharging during a work break 

was unimaginable. Until now. 

Now I can imagine it and I will 

continue to enjoy this laid-back 

work style that seems bizarre 

to me, as an American, because 

frequent breaks and short work 

hours means less work is being 

done; however, this work style has 

resulted in less stress for me. In fact, 

I have had more time to address 

my mental health which was often 

an afterthought in the U.S. 

Thus, while in Uganda, I will do as 

the Ugandans do: stop and enjoy 

the moments and the people. I 

hope to continue this in some form 

back home to avoid the burnout 

rampant in medical students and 

medical professionals in the U.S. 


133

Uganda — St. Francis Hospital Naggalama 

Joining the Outreach Palliative Care team was my first experience 

with palliative care. On our ride out to visit patients, the attending we 

were traveling with answered our questions, allowing for us to explore 

a side of medicine we had not engaged with before. As we moved 

from patient to patient, the theme of suffering and the goal of trying 

to reduce it continued to resurface. Suffering is a universal experience 

and impossible to determine a value or magnitude for it. Throughout 

the day, it was difficult to not see how this suffering was magnified 

by so many easily accessible aids that were unavailable for so many 

patients in Uganda. 

Written by Ryan Trus, MD 



. 

While poverty, barriers to medicine, financial hardship, and access to 

food and water are present globally, the pervasiveness and severity of 

the absence for these determinants of health with each of our patients 

forced a recognition of the relativity of suffering. I was not able to 

move my mind away from how commonplace items like comfortable 

chairs or appropriate clothing would have such a dramatic impact on 

the quality of life for someone in their last days. And this is only looking 

at this disparity from an end-of-life perspective without addressing 

the countless factors that make these progressive and fatal diseases 

go untreated. 

I felt a feeling of frustration arise as I looked around me. Everyday items that are taken for granted by so many 

have minimal barriers for people from one country yet require monumental efforts to install the infrastructure just 

to access in another country. What are the factors on a local, national, and global level that lead to such a divide? 

What are the local, national, and global steps that must happen to provide equitable access and quality of life? 

How can these changes be made not just stable, but self-sustainable? I won’t pretend to have any idea of what 


the answers to these questions are. These issues that are found globally are far beyond the scope of any singular 

individual involved, yet paradoxically, rely entirely on the cumulative impact of individual action. I hope that with 

time and intentionality, I will gain a greater understanding of how to navigate these disparities and the pathways 

towards minimizing them. For now, I will try to be as open minded as possible, holding myself accountable for 

preconceived ideas and biases as I learn and participate with what is around me. 


135

Written by Anmol Singh 

American University of the Caribbean, Class 

of 2023, Sint Maarten 

Reaching Out for Outreach 

I was excited about starting this week because I 

was going to experience the general surgery clinic. 

Given my interest in the field, I was looking forward 

to learning and growing. Dr. Chris was an excellent 

teacher who made sure to loop me into any patients’ 

conversations that were spoken in Ugandan language. 

Due to the small patient volume, I was only able to see 

about ten patients. We did end up booking a case 

for this upcoming week, and Dr. Chris invited me to 

join it which I am looking forward to. 

I spent the rest of the week learning with the Palliative 

Care Team as it was their last few days of outreach. 

This experience was life-changing. Dr. Diamond and 

Dr. Eison do an incredible job seeing patients. We 

saw five patients, each unique in their own sense. 

Outreach days meant driving an hour to each home 

and spending at least an hour or two with each 

patient. Hopeful to learn, I accompanied the team. 

On meeting the first patient, I could already tell this 

was going to be an emotionally challenging day. She 

was a 60-year-old woman who had suffered a stroke, 

with continuing weakness in her right arm and right 

leg to the point of transient paralysis. The attendings 

diagnosed her with potential Post-Stroke Pain 

Syndrome. She was taking tramadol for pain. 

Tramadol addiction is a huge problem due to it being 

sold over-the-counter at every pharmacy in the 

area. We went through the process of adjusting her 

medications and explaining the hows and whys to her 

and her 18-year-old daughter who was already doing 

a wonderful job taking care of her mother, and was 

thankful for the explanations. We educated them on 

the importance of the patient being outside since 

she only went outside her house twice a week for 

meals. This experience had moments of culture shock 

coupled with overwhelming emotions of not being 

able to help as much as I could with the resources we 

have in the U.S. 

We ended the day on a wholesome note. They visited 

a patient they had seen the week prior—a man with 

diabetic ulcers and foot, who uses a wheelchair—to 

get an update since they had adjusted his medications 

and started topical morphine for the ulcers. He 

greeted us with a smile and reassured the doctors 

that he was compliant with his medications, and does 

not feel as much pain as he did a week ago. Seeing 

everyone cheer up and hang onto this success story 

reminded me of why we do what we do. 

Dr. Diamond and I spoke about humanism in medicine 

and how tough it can be to hold onto this side of 

us in certain areas of medicine such as surgery or 

emergency medicine. I asked her how she and the 

team cope with some of the not-so-successful 

patient cases, and she responded that it was because 

of patients like this man with diabetes that she hangs 

onto little victories. 

“You have to hang onto the humanistic side of you. I 

see you already struggling with it and questioning it, 

which means it has not left you yet. Just keep working 

to make sure it never does.” – Dr. Diamond. 


Uganda — St. Stephen’s Hospital 

Haiku Reflection 

FOOD 

Heaps of peels outside 

Matoke at every meal 

“Not a meal without” 

THE MARKET 

New and old combine 

Excitement for passionfruit 

Seen at the market 

Written by Ella Ansell 



HOME 

Wanting to help more 

Allowed to help with dishes 

It is home for now 

THE COW 

Can it go downstairs? 

Three of us see it tumble 

We call for some help 

They phone for more help 

9 men to force it to stand 

I ask is this help? 


137

Zimbabwe, University of Zimbabwe Faculty of Medicine 

and Health Sciences 

Butterflies 

No matter how much reading and mental preparation 

you do before starting a Global Health (GH) elective, 

there are, unsurprisingly perhaps, some things you 

can’t prepare for. After only two days on the wards 

at Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare, there have been 

many times where I have thought to myself “If we just 

had XYZ, this would be easier.” 

For a woman who had recently given birth with 

tachycardia and shortness of breath: “If we just 

had CT angiography, we could quickly rule out 

pulmonary embolism.” For a woman presenting with 

left hemiparesis and hypertensive emergency: “If we 

had emergent CT, we could differentiate hemorrhagic 

versus ischemic.” For a man who was seen for 

mysterious symptoms in the Kaposi Sarcoma clinic 

who had been feeling ill for so long that he told us, 

“I just want to stay at home and die,” but who could 

not afford the histopathology for a skin punch biopsy: 

“how much does histopathology cost anyway and is 

there no way to get this test covered?” 

Our first night on call, we were a bit surprised to see 

a consultant with a Butterfly portable ultrasound. We 

gravitated to the patient’s bedside to watch the scan. 

“You have these at home?” the consultant asked. We 

confirmed that we use Butterfly quite a bit at home. 

“Well maybe you can bring us some more the next 

time you come?” Whether this was said in jest or in 

seriousness, it was difficult to tell. Either way, at that 

point I had butterflies in my stomach. Could we bring 

Butterfly units with us the next time students rotate 

here? Should we have brought something with us this 

time? 

I know for a fact that there are approximately ten 

Butterfly kits in University of Vermont’s Dana Library 

available to students at any given time. I know this 

because I have checked one out twice myself. For 

one month at a time, I was able to bring the kit home 

and practice scanning my friends. But other than the 

two hours I spent scanning over the course of the 

month, the Butterfly sat neatly packed away in its 

Written by Keara Lynn, MD 

University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Class 

2023, U.S. 

bag in my apartment. A perfectly useful tool, essential 

to diagnosis and management decisions, totally 

portable, totally functional, just sitting around. 

Students on our team wandered over to the patient’s 

bedside to see what was going on. One student 

mentioned she had never used a portable ultrasound 

machine. The butterflies in my stomach were guilt, and 

also sadness. Does the University of Vermont really 

need ten butterfly kits sitting in the library? There is 

never a waiting list to take one out. Could we get away 

with five, or even three kits instead? Can we justify this 

excess in the name of medical education? 

One of our professors mentioned to us this week that 

resuscitations in Zimbabwe look a lot different than 

they do in high-resourced countries. She mentioned 

“before you rush to resuscitate the patient, you should 

look in the resuscitation cart to see what tools you have 

available so you can make a decision about how to 

proceed.” This is not something I have had to consider 

up until now. I understand deeply that the purpose of 

GH is the exchange of information and to learn from 

each other so we can best take care of patients in 

any practice environment. I understand that a one- 


time gift of resources is not sustainable GH. But I have 

learned so much during my first two days in the clinical 

environment and people have gone so far out of their 

way to help me that the exchange of information feels 

unequal. So now I am wondering: what do I have to give 

in exchange? 

Fourth-year UVMLCOM students Charlotte Gemes, Keara 

Lynn, and Micaila Baroffio outside the medical school 

Beautiful trees outside Parirenyatwa Hospital 

Fourth-year UVMLCOM students: Micaila Baroffio, Keara Lynn, and Charlotte Gemes at Nyanga National Park in Eastern 

Zimbabwe 


139

This week, medical students of the University of Zimbabwe returned 

from the holiday and started their clinical rotations again. We had 

a larger team, but it was great to understand what they expected 

of medical students and what our role should look like. There were 

a lot more teachings to learn from. I noticed there is a perception 

that Georgina and I, coming from North America, would know more 

than the medical students here. I sometimes feel the pressure from 

the expectation of knowing every answer which, most of the time, I 

do not. 

Written by Nahal Torabi 

American University of the Caribbean, Class 

of 2023, Saint Maarten 

I like to remind the medical students and doctors-in-training I have 

become friends with that they are better trained and know a lot 

more than us. I truly believe the doctors here are better physicians, 

have more knowledge, and practice in more detail than what I have 

seen in the U.S. This is because they rely on their clinical examinations 

to determine the diagnosis rather than on laboratory tests that are 

so readily available to us, but not to them. I have observed many 

thorough physical exams looking for clinical signs that I have not 

learned about. In the U.S., we learn not to assume what our patient’s 

diagnosis is because it creates a bias to confirm that diagnosis, so 

we do a full investigation. In Zimbabwe, we are told to confirm the 

most common diagnosis in the differential by doing specific physical 

examinations and treating patients. If they do not get better, they 

will do further investigations. Of course, this makes sense in a setting 

with such limited resources, but it has definitely been eye-opening! 


Vietnam, Cho Ray Hospital 

Burned Bodies, Lost Souls 

I started out the week so grateful for this opportunity to be in 

Vietnam. It is a beautiful place, and I can’t get over how polite 

everyone is. During the week I visited the Vietnam war museum, and 

was absolutely horrified by what I saw. The terror that was evoked on 

the Vietnamese people was heartbreaking. I then wondered why the 

Vietnamese people are not hateful toward Americans, and why we 

still were shown grace and kindness. In the U.S., our education does 

not doesn’t go into details about the devastation and destruction 

that the U.S. brought to Vietnam. I was appalled by what I learned. I 

tried to put into words what I saw at the museum, but I found it hard 

to do. I decided to write a poem to express those thoughts. 

Written by 

Alexanderia Williams 



Burned bodies, Lost souls 

Target practice for American goals 

Why Agent Orange? 

Why watch them burn? 

Humanity is lost 

At what cost 

A smile remains 

The people were still 

Progression in the eyes of oppression 

The people will move 

Vietnam will move 

I’m so thankful to learn more about this pivotal time in history. It has 

encouraged me to do a deeper dive into the history of this country 

and that of many others. 


141

I am sitting in my hotel room with the window open, hearing the birds 

chirp, smelling the air, and seeing the hospital from my window. My 

first week in Saigon has been fascinating and overwhelming at the 

same time. The city moves at a very quick pace, with a constant fluid 

movement of people going from one place to another. The unceasing 

of cars, scooters, and people on-the-go is unusual for me. I grew up 

in a quiet town in Orlando, where the streets and shops are closed 

and quiet after a certain hour. This is most definitely a shift in pace. I 

am handling it well being that I have always been appreciative to see 

how other cultures exist in their respective countries. 

Written by Olivia Warren 

American University of the Caribbean School 

of Medicine, Class of 2023, Sint Maarten 

I think the most interesting thing I have seen thus far is how authentic 

Vietnam is. The people, the food, and how people live here is very 

different. For example, I commonly see families eating together 

and all sharing the same meal during lunches and dinners. Common 

dishes include noodles, rice, and vegetables, which has been a large 

adjustment for me as well. Eating together as a family has made me 

appreciate the dinners I have at home with my own family members. 

My time in the hospital has been eye-opening as well. I was in the 

Emergency Department the first two weeks and from day one I 

experienced shock in how different healthcare here is compared to 

the U.S. Providers here are very resourceful. For example, witnessing 

nurses drawing blood, they utilize a rubber glove as a tourniquet 

versus the usual tourniquet used in the U.S. I found that to be an 

absorbing moment for me. Patients are sick or often victims of a bad 

motor scooter accident. Often they are in critical condition, but the 

resources are not always available to provide them with care. 

The way providers here utilize what they have in a multidimensional 

way is something I will carry with me for the rest of my medical career. 

I am grateful for my first week here. I am learning a lot in the hospital 

and witnessing so much! It has been humbling thus far. I am excited 

for the weeks to come. 


War Remnants Museum 

Written by Sarah Kohl 



Earlier this week, we went to the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi 

Minh City. Walking in, I slightly jokingly asked the others how guilty 

we’re going to feel as Americans after this. For me, the “Vietnam” war 

has always felt super distant: a war of our grandparents’ generation. 

I knew about some of its horrors, like the carpet bombing and use of 

Agent Orange but it was hard to imagine the extent. Embarrassingly, 

I had never heard of the My Lai Massacre. I feel like that war was such 

an awful part of our history and it’s not acknowledged as much as 

it could be. After learning more about the atrocities that happened 

to the Vietnamese people, I was sickened and shocked that I hadn’t 

heard the U.S. take more responsibility. 

The War Remnants Museum mostly included photographs taken 

during and after the war. I was surprised how graphic the photos were: 

pictures of bodies being dragged behind tanks, children screaming, 

beheadings, phosphorus gas victims, congenital abnormalities, and 

so much more. I don’t get squeamish easily, but there were times 

when I felt quite sick to my stomach. Seeing how some human beings 

can treat other humans and dehumanize them completely. 

One picture especially stuck with 

me. It is not particularly graphic, 

but the emotion was so palpable. It 

depicts about ten children running 

down a road away from phosphorus 

gas. The main subject of the photo 

is a girl who is probably about eight 

years old, completely nude, sobbing 

and screaming as she runs. The pain 

she is feeling, both emotional and 

physical, just comes off the wall and it 

hit me like a wave. I can’t imagine ever 

feeling that level of fear and anguish 

and I hope I never have to. 

One of the exhibits focused on the effects of Agent Orange. I found that exhibit really interesting for several 

reasons. First, I learned that the long-term and congenital effects of dioxin poisoning are seen through several 

generations. There were deformities seen in the fourth-generation after exposure to Agent Orange. There were so 

many different types of congenital abnormalities that I had never seen or heard of which was fascinating from a 

medical perspective. 

While in that exhibit, there were a few children running around, commenting on how “weird” the people in the pictures 

looked. I was really conflicted about having kids in that museum. On the one hand, it is important to expose kids to 

history at a young age and not hide away the horrible things that have happened in the past. But also, I think they 


143

need to have the emotional capacity and enough maturity to be able to see those pictures and understand their 

meaning. 

One of the exhibits focused on the effects of Agent Orange. I found that exhibit really interesting for several 

reasons. First, I learned that the long-term and congenital effects of dioxin poisoning are seen through several 

generations. There were deformities seen in the fourth-generation after exposure to Agent Orange. There were so 

many different types of congenital abnormalities that I had never seen or heard of which was fascinating from a 

medical perspective. 

While in that exhibit, there were a few children running around, commenting on how “weird” the people in the pictures 

looked. I was really conflicted about having kids in that museum. On the one hand, it is important to expose kids to 

history at a young age and not hide away the horrible things that have happened in the past. But also, I think they 

need to have the emotional capacity and enough maturity to be able to see those pictures and understand their 

meaning. 

Sitting from left to right: Dr. Mariah McNamara, Sarah Kohl 

(UVMLCOM MS1), Kristyne Drozdz ( RUSM MS4), Kevin Ito 

(UVMLCOM MS1) 

Sarah Kohl in the Operating Room after a live donor kidney 

transplant during her Global Health electives in Cho Ray 

hospital, Vietnam 


Photo Gallery 

Asima Mian, MD at a local market, Uganda 

Asima Mian, MD; Sister Jane Frances, and Arezou Nazary, 

MD at St. Francis Hospital, Naggalama 


145

Left to right: Arezou Nazary, MD; Asima Mian, MD; Simon Otin; and Alla Jusufi, MD in St. Francis Hospital, Naggalama, Uganda 

“My day out in the market 

(fresh display of Rangoli colors)” 

Photo by Monica Dhiman, RUSM Class of 2023 

Playground made for the children who visit the hospital outpatient 

department, India 

Photo by Monica Dhiman, RUSM Class of 2023 


Dr. Taksande showing students the 

proper readings of an echo, India 

Photo by Monica Dhiman, RUSM 

Class of 2023 

“My cute little patient Arnav and his 

mother,” India 

Photo by Monica Dhiman, RUSM 

Class of 2023 


Photo by Calista Moses, RUSM Class of 

2023 

The group after finishing their second week working on the Tropical Medicine Unit at Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, 

Vietnam 

Left to Right: Luc Tran, Deniz Dolun, Lois Rotuno, Ethan Green, Daniel Wells, and Tariq Islam 


147

Global Health eMagazine 

This year marks another successful chapter in the series of publications in the Global Health (GH) eMagazine. In 

2023, we proudly presented nine issues, culminating in a special edition dedicated to the Youth Academy for Latinx 

Leaders project. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all contributors whose invaluable efforts have made the 

eMagazine a resounding success. Special thanks are extended to our dedicated Section Editors, who invested 

their time and expertise delivering compelling and inspirational content. 


Global Local Global Mental Health Hispanic/Latinx 

Ritesh Vidhun Darshani Parekh 

Communities 

Elvis Novas 

Voices of Ugandan 

Students 

Joshua Matsiko 

Nursing Division 

Catherine Winkler 

Women’s Health 

Education 

Sarah Cordisco 

Our Beautiful Planet 

Dilyara Nurkhametova 

Innovation and 

Technology 

Swapnil Parve 

Art to Remind Us of Who 

We Can Be 

Mitra Sadigh 

In conjunction with the transformative changes in our GH Program, we are excited to announce the evolution of 

the GH eMagazine. In the coming years, we aspire to introduce a new vision and format for our regular publication, 

elevating it to the next level as the GH eJournal. Please see below our proposed framework in regard to establishing 

the GH eJournal. 


149

Transitioning eMagazine to Global Health eJournal & 

Newsletter 

About: Global Health (GH) eJournal & Newsletter is a publication from the GH Program/Academy at Nuvance 

Health, produced through a collaborative effort with colleagues and contributors from around the world. 

Aims/Focus and Scope: GH eJournal & Newsletter is an open-access journal with the aim to serve as an 

inclusive platform and to be a voice of people all around the world. Our mission is to empower communities 

and contribute to health equity globally. The primary focus of the GH eJournal & Newsletter includes GH 

Education, Health Disparities and Health Equity, and Decolonization of GH. 

GH eJournal 

The following article types will be published 

under the eJournal section: 

• Editorial 

• Comment 

• Viewpoint/Opinion 

• Correspondence 

• Perspective 

• Mini-Review 

• Case Report/Case Presentation 

• Letter from the Field 

Newsletter 

The following article types will be published 

under the Newsletter section: 

• News 

• Highlights 

• Spotlight 

• Reflections and Art-Based Submissions 

• Blog-Posts 

• Article of the Month 

• Video of the Month 

• Congratulations 

• Welcome 

• GH Family 

• Photo News 

• Resources 

Editorial Team (current) 

Editor-in-Chief – Bulat A. Ziganshin 

Executive Editor – Dilyara F. Nurkhametova 

Associate Editors: 

• Tendai Machingaidze 

• Mitra Sadigh 

• Stephen Scholand 

Creative Editor – Amanda Wallace 

Editor Emeritus – Majid Sadigh 

Section Editor, Global Local – Ritesh Vidhun 

Section Editor, Global Mental Health – Darshani Parkeh 

Section Editor, Hispanic/Latinx Communities 

– Elvis Novas 

Section Editor, Voices of Ugandan Students 

– Joshua Matsiko 

Section Editor, Nursing Division – Deb Hewitt 

Section Editor, Women’s Health Education 

– Sarah Cordisco 

Section Editor, Our Beautiful Planet 

– Dilyara Nurkhametova 

Section Editor, Innovation and Technology – 

Swapnil Parve 

Section Editor, Art to Remind Us of Who We Can Be – 

Mitra Sadigh 


Financial Disbursements/Accountability 

The Nuvance Health Global Health (GH) Program 

embraces bidirectional learning and training for 

medical students, residents, and faculty alike. Thanks 

to the generosity of our donors, the program has been 

able to fund this mission through various avenues and 

pathways. 

Over sixty-five participants, consisting of medical 

students, residents, and faculty representing 

Nuvance Health, University of Vermont College of 

Medicine (UVMLCOM), American University of the 

Caribbean/Ross University School of Medicine, 

and Connecticut Institute for Communities (CIFC) 

traveled to our sister sites in the Dominican Republic, 

India, Thailand, Uganda, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe. 

Transportation, which includes roundtrip airfare and 

ground transportation in-country, accommodations 

including meals, licenses and cultural events totaled 

$175,251.00 USD. 

In the true spirit of bi-directional learning, Nuvance 

Health hosted nine scholars (residents/faculty) to the 

U.S. for periods of four to six weeks. Transportation 

and accommodations cost $33,505.00 USD. 

Many of our affiliate sites find exceptional medical 

students who possess the passion for GH as well as 

excel academically. We are asked to sponsor these 

students and provide financial aid. For 2023, the GH 

Program sponsored ten students and paid $21,634.00 

USD in tuition assistance. 

Additionally, the program offers financial support to 

our affiliations so that they may improve upon their 

medical education, medical equipment, diagnostic, 

and treatment options. Nuvance Health has 

contributed $26,905.00 USD during 2023. 

As part of our affiliation with higher learning and in 

joint collaboration with the UVMLCOM, Nuvance GH 

sponsors an intense three-day Bridge course for 

UVMLCOM medical students. Several well-renowned 

guest lecturers were invited to attend and speak on 

topics such as rabies, intercultural learning, careers 

in GH, climate change, and decolonization of GH. 

Two Bridge courses were held in 2023, February, and 

November. The total cost of these educational Bridge 

sessions was $8,216.00USD. 


Written by 


Manager of the Nuvance Health Global Health 

Program, U.S. 


Health 


August 2023 brought the opening of the Majid Sadigh, 

MD GH Academy: a brick-and-mortar building that 

will be the home for scholars to pursue joint Masters 

Degree, explore and expand their knowledge in GH 

studies, be the base of operations for the creation of 

pre-recorded video lessons as well as “live” lectures. 

Current expenditures, including the first cohort of 

Joint Masters Degree participants, are $150,266.00 

USD. 

Finally, and definitely not least, Nuvance Health 

sponsored the second GH Conference in Danbury, 

Connecticut. Over seventy-five distinguished guests 

from nine countries attended, representing various 

learning institutions, healthcare facilities, non-profit 

organizations, and non-government organizations. 

Subject matter for lectures and breakout sessions 

included Creating an Empowerment Model in GH, 

Mentorship/Women in Leadership, Advocacy and 

Local/Global work, Mental Health, and Research and 

Publication. The total cost for the conference was 

$90,200.00 USD. 

As of this date, December 15, 2023,the Nuvance 

Health GH Program has spent $505,977.00 USD to 

support and further our mission for healthcare equity 

around the globe. 

151

Directory 

GLOBAL HEALTH (GH) 

LEADERSHIP 


Andrea Green, MD 

Deborah A Hewitt DNP, MBA, RN 

Menoo Jarrett 

Robert Jarrett, MD 

Grace Linhard 

Mariah McNamara, MD 

Elina Mukhametshina, MD 



Mitra Sadigh 

Robyn Scatena, MD 


Mary Shah, MLS, AHIP 

Laura E. Smith, MScBMC 

Amanda Wallace 


Stephen Winter, MD 

Bulat Ziganshin, MD, PhD 

EXECUTIVE BOARD OF 

THE MAJID SADIGH, MD 

GH ACADEMY 

Anne Lise Almira 

Grace Linhard 

John Murphy, MD 

Aparna Oltikar, MD (Chair) 

Nelson Sewankambo, MBCH, MMed 

Eva Trefz 

Bulat Ziganshin, MD, PhD 

Directors and Coordinators 

NUVANCE HEALTH AND 

U.S.-BASED PARTNERS 

1. Wendi Cuscina, MAS, CPM, PACT 

Manager, GH Program, Nuvance Health 

2. Randi Diamond, MD 

Site Co-Director, St. Francis Naggalama 

Hospital, Uganda 

3. Howard Eison, MD 

Site Co-Director, St. Francis Naggalama 

Hospital, Uganda 

4. Christina B. Gunther, Ed.D. 

Director, GH Programs, Sacred Heart 

University 

5. Elina Mukhametshina, MD 

Associate Director, GH Program for AUC/ 

RUSM, Nuvance Health 

6. Dilyara Nurkhametova, MD, PhD 

Director of Operations in GH, GH Program, 


7. Swapnil Parve, MD, PhD 

Manager, Majid Sadigh, MD GH Academy 

8. Majid Sadigh, MD 

Founding Director, GH Program, Nuvance 

Health/UVMLCOM 

Founding Director, GH Academy, Nuvance 

Health 

9. Mitra Sadigh 

Writer and Editor, GH eMagazine, Nuvance 

Health 

10. Robyn Scatena, MD 

Associate Director, GH Program at Norwalk 

Hospital, Nuvance Health 

11. Stephen Scholand, MD 

GH Academy Faculty Member, Nuvance 

Health 

12. Laura E. Smith, MScBMC 

Coordinator of UGE at Danbury Hospital, 


13. Amanda Wallace 

Creative Director, GH Program, Nuvance 

Health 

14. Stephen Winter, MD 

Senior Advisor, Nuvance Health 

15. Bulat Ziganshin, MD, PhD 

Executive Director, GH Academy 

Director, GH Program, Nuvance Health/ 

UVMLCOM 

THE ROBERT LARNER, MD COLLEGE 

OF MEDICINE AT THE UNIVERSITY 

OF VERMONT 

16. Krista Buckley, MD 

Departmental director of global mental 

health, UVMLCOM GH Program 

17. Anne Dougherty, MD 

Course Director for Global Women’s Health, 

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 

UVMLCOM GH Program 

18. Andrea Green, MD 

Departmental director of GH in Pediatrics, 

UVMLCOM GH Program 

19. Naomi Hodde, MD 

Department of Medicine, UVMLCOM GH 

Program 

20. Amalia Kane, MD 

Departmental director of GH in Family 

Medicine, UVMLCOM GH Program 

21. Judith Lewis, MD 

Departmental director of GH in Public 

Health, UVMLCOM GH Program 

22. Mariah McNamara, MD, M.P.H. 

Associate Director, GH Program for 

UVMLCOM 

23. Katie Wells, MD 

Course Director for GH Bridge, UVMLCOM 

GH Program 

ADTALEM (AUC/RUSM) 

24. Kimberly A. Kirkland, Psy.D. 

Senior Associate Dean, Student Affairs, 

American University of the Caribbean 


25. Seeth Vivek, MD 

Associate Dean of Clinical Sciences, Ross 

University School of Medicine 

26. Christopher Bellone 

Assistant Director of Hospital Support 

& Partnerships, Ross University School of 

Medicine 

27. Jeffrey B. Anderson 

Sr. Coordinator - Northeast, AUC School of 

Medicine/RUSM School of Medicine 

ARMENIA 

28. Alexander Bazarchyan, MD, PhD 

Director - National Institute of Health of 

Armenia 

29. Shushanik Isahakyan, BA, MA 

Head of International Cooperation 

Department at the National Institute of 

Health of Armenia 

BOTSWANA 

30. Vincent Setlhare, MD, MBA, MFamMed, FGL 

Associate Professor of Family Medicine 

and the Head of the Department of Family 

Medicine and Public Health, University of 

Botswana 

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 

31. Marcos Nuñez, MD 

Dean, Medical School, Universidad 

lberoamericana (UNIBE) 

32. Loraine Amell de Abreu, PhD 

Dean, International Relations, UNIBE 

33. Paola Romanace Garcia 

Coordinator of student exchanges, UNIBE 

34. Carolina Altagracia Valdez 

Academic Coordinator, School of Medicine, 

UNIBE 

INDIA 

35. Abhay Gaidhane, MD, PhD 

Dean (Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College); 

Director, School of Epidemiology & Public 

Health at Datta Meghe Institute of Higher 

Education and Research (DU), Sawangi 

(Meghe), Wardha 

36. Syed Zahiruddin Quazi, MD, PhD 

Director of Research and Development; 

Associate Dean of GH at Datta Meghe 

Institute of Higher Education and Research 

(DU), Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha 

37. Shweta Parwe, MD, PhD 

Site Coordinator (Allied Health Sciences), 

Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education 

and Research (DU), Sawangi (Meghe), 

Wardha 

38. Priyanka Nimje 

Administrative Officer (GH) at Datta Meghe 

Institute of Higher Education and Research 

(DU), Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha 

PUERTO RICO 

39. Jesus Casal, MD 

Associate Professor of Medicine, University 

of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, Chief 

of MICU, VA Caribbean Care System in 

Puerto Rico, Director of the Sleep LAb at 

Auxilio Mutuo Hospital 

40. Ricardo Fernandez, MD 

Chief of Pulmonary at the Hospital 

Municipal de San Juan, Director 

of Pulmonary and Critical Care fellowship 

program and Chief of Pulmonary at Auxilio 

Mutuo Hospital in San Juan 

THAILAND 

41. Auemphon Mordmuang, MD, PhD 

(Dr. Prym) 

Assistant Professor, School of Medicine, 

Walailak University 

42. Lunla Udomwech, MD 

Assistant Professor, School of Medicine, 

Walailak University 

43. Chuchard Punsawad, PhD 

Associated Professor, Dean, School of 

Medicine, Walailak University 

44. Fareenah Jehsani 

Secretary, Center for International Affairs 

(CIA), Walailak University 

45. Atthayaporn Choomai, MD 

Chairman of Infectious control committee, 

Thasala hospital, Thailand 


UGANDA 

46. Isaac Kajja, MD, PhD 

Head of the International Office and Deputy Principal, 

Makerere University College of Health Science 

47. Susan Byekwaso, MM 

Coordinator, International Programs, Makerere University 

College of Health Sciences 

1 2 3 4 5 6 

7 8 9 10 11 12 

48. Robert Kalyesubula, MD, PhD 

Founder, ACCESS 

49. Estherloy Katali, Msc.IT 

Site Director, Managing Director, ACCESS 

50. Samuel Luboga, MD, PhD, DSci 

Director, Uganda Partnership St. Stephen’s Hospital, GH 

Information Center, and Homestay 

13 14 15 16 17 18 

51. Sr. Jane Frances Nakafeero 

Director, St. Francis Naggalama Hospital 

52. Catherine Nakibuule, MD 

Director, GH Program, St. Stephen’s Hospital, Kampala 

19 20 21 22 23 24 

53. Norah Namirembe 

Assistant Coordinator of the International Office at Makerere 

University College of Health Sciences 

54. Simon Otim, MD 

Director, St. Francis Naggalama Hospital 

25 26 27 28 29 30 

VIETNAM 

55. Tran Van Vu, MD 

Head of Training Department of the Training Center, 

Vice Head of Nephrology Department 

31 32 33 34 35 36 

56. Vo Ngoc Anh Tho, MD 

Head of International Affairs, Cho Ray Hospital 

57. Uyen Tran, MD 

Site Coordinator, Cho Ray Hospital 

58. Prof. Vuong Thi Ngoc Lan, MD, PhD 

Dean of Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and 


59. Pham Le Duy, MD, PhD 

Head of the Office of International Relations and Research 

Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and 


37 38 39 40 41 42 

43 44 45 46 47 48 

60. Duong Duy Khoa, MD, MSc 

Head of Medical Elective Abroad, Faculty of Medicine, 

University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City 

61. Nguyen Minh Ky, MD, MSc 

International Relations Office, Medical Elective Abroad, 

Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at 

Ho Chi Minh City 

49 50 51 52 53 54 

ZIMBABWE 

62. Chiratidzo Ellen Ndhlovu, MMedSci, FRCP 

Director, GH Program, University of Zimbabwe Faculty of 

Medicine and Health Sciences 

55 56 57 58 59 60 

63. Fiona Makoni, MD 

Acting Dean, University of Zimbabwe Faculty of Medicine and 

Health Sciences 

64. Julia Mudokwenyu 

Program Coordinator, Academic Secretary, University of 

Zimbabwe Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences 

61 62 63 64 


153

154 ANNUAL REPORT 2023 

“Alla Jusufi with Kids at St Agnes Catholic Boarding 

School in Naggalama”


Global Health Program 

THANK YOU

AnnualReportGH2023

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