eMagazine May 2023

May 2023 Volume 53 

NUVANCE HEALTH 

Global Health Program 

LARNER COLLEGE OF MEDICINE 

NUVANCE HEALTH AND THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT LARNER COLLEGE OF MEDICINE 

Global Health eMagazine 

“Don’t write your name on sand, waves will wash it away. 

Don’t write your name in the sky, the wind may blow it away. 

Write your name in the hearts of people you come in touch with. 

That’s where it will stay.” 

Unknown 

Editor; Majid Sadigh, MD 

Contributing Editor; Mitra Sadigh 

Creative Director; Amanda Wallace 

Cover Photo; Rose Schwartz

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Highlights 

Global Health 

eMagazine 

May 2023 

Highlights 

Reflections 

Art to Remind Us of 

Who We Can Be 

Reports from the Fields 

Global Local 

Hispanic and Latinx 

Communities 

Nursing Division 

Women’s Health 

Our Beautifuil Planet 

Article of the Month 

Among the Letters 

Congratulations 

Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 

Previous Issues of 

the eMagazine 

Written by Stephen Winter, MD 

Senior advisor at Nuvance Health Global Health Program 

The Impact of Our Program at Cho Ray 

Hospital, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam 

When 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 here again is really exciting. We have 

seen some amazing things that illustrate the impact 

of our program. Just a couple of examples. When I 

was last here, I taught the 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 

something perfect to implement in a resource constrained setting. To my delight 

during rounds in the ICU this week I see that they have fully embraced this new 

technique and are using it regularly. Another great example is to see what 

has happened with our Global Scholars. They have consistently emerged in 

leadership positions throughout Cho Ray Hospital, taking on positions, such as 

vice chair of the intensive care programs at Cho Ray Hospital and University 

Hospital and the head of external relations and international relationships at 

Cho Ray Hospital. It is clear that we have either been incredibly successful at 

choosing some of the best doctors here as global scholars or that experiences 

during the time they spent in the United States altered the trajectory of their 

careers towards success. I think it may be a bit of both. These are just a couple 

of examples of the impact of the program in one site, and says nothing about 

our impact in Uganda, Zimbabwe, and beyond. 

I just spent a full day meeting with the dean and faculty at the University 

Medical Center close by Choray 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 Choray. They consistently demonstrated a great deal of 

enthusiasm to be a part of our network. The bidirectional nature of our program, 

which brings their young faculty to America as our students come to Vietnam, 

has had a great impact, and is unique among most American-based global 

health programs. 

2 

Highlights continued on next page >>

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 


Written by Robyn Scatena, MD 

Executive Director, Patricia A. Tietjen, MD Teaching Academy 

Our Scholars Are Incredible 


Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 







Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



Dr. Stephen Winter and Dr. Robyn Scatena with leadership of University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 

Ho Chi Minh City, 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 COVID. Here are some examples: 

Dr. Tho, ID, will replace the wonderful Dr. Lan Phuong as head of external relations. 

Dr. Dai, ICU, will rise to vice dean for critical care at UMP while maintaining his 

clinical practice at Cho Ray. 

Dr. Nam, pulmonary, is developing into the first ILD 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 HCMC COVID experience 

and is looking to publish it—we got a sneak peak during our visit. He and Dr. 

Khoa are also working on a publication on the Cho Ray GH experience. They 

have already conducted a focus group and have coded the interviews. 

Drs. Tho, Nam, Dai and Huy (perhaps others as well) led clinical units during the 

HCMC COVID crisis. They set up a new hospital for all COVID patients and each 

3 


OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 

were 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 (rheumatologist) is a philanthropist as well as a 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 her state-of-the-art medical office in her home to patients who cannot pay. 

This is not leadership per se, but demonstrates the incredible heart we see in so 

many of our scholars. 

Dr. Khoa is studying for his masters in health professions education at BU. 

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 the 

scholars in continuing their learning about clinical education, interest in creating 

an educational series through the Teaching Academy – this will need to be coconstructed 

with a willing scholar, as above. 


Communities 







Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



Stephen Scholand (Arizona) 

4 


OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



Written by 

Wendi Cuscina, BS, CPM, PACT 

Policy Governance Manager Manager, Global Health 

Program Administrative Coordinator – Quality Certified 

Project Management 

UNGA-78 Science Summit 

Nuvance Health Global Health Steering Committee and 

United Nations Science Summit Strategic Planning Meeting 

Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 







Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



On April 18,2023, the Nuvance Health Global Health Executive Steering Committee 

met with Declan Kirrane, Chairman and Managing Director, UNGA-78 Science 

Summit. Representing Nuvance Health Global Health during this zoom meeting 

was Wendi Cuscina, Robert Kalyesubula, Sabrina Kitaka, Mariah McNamara, 

Majid Sadigh, Mitra Sadigh, Vincent Setlhare, and Nelson Sewankambo. 

After roundtable introductions, Declan informed the group the direction of this 

year’s UNGA session, scheduled for September 2023, will be focused on efforts 

to raise awareness of the UN SDGS (Sustainable Development Goals) and the 

challenges they are currently facing. 

Open dialogue and exchange of ideas included discussions around the 

cumbersome procedure for global health policymaking currently in effect, the 

delays from decision making to implementation, lack of reliable data collection 

from less developed nations, and regulations imposed on HIC in working 

collaboratively with global south nations. Additionally, engaging conversation 

took place regarding the need to break down barriers in licensure reciprocity and 

clinical experiences bi-directionally. Currently there exists a bias overshadowing 

medical science and health research for improved health delivery. 

The goal for UNGA-78 Science Summit is a multi-step plan – to raise awareness, 

influence decision and policy makers, improve data collection for the 

underrepresented nations, collaboration with the populations/groups that the 

policies will actually affect and finally communication. 

5 


OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 





Written by 

Wendi Cuscina, BS, CPM, PACT 

Policy Governance Manager Manager, Global Health Program Administrative 

Coordinator – Quality Certified Project Management 

Consortium of Universities for Global Health - CUGH 2023 

Global Health at a Crossroads 

Advocates for global health, 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 14th – 16th. 

Pre-conference special events sessions began on Thursday April 13th. 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 global health 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 global health – whether big or small, across the globe or 

across the neighborhood, whether through legal contract or simple handshake. 

Government, NGOs, private industry, faith-based institutions, medical and 

academia must form partnerships/alliances with like-minded ideals to achieve 

our goals. In general, public and political attention neglect to look at global 

health and preparedness. We need to make compelling statements that cannot 

be ignored – this way the things policymakers want to do may not be possible. 

Raising awareness of basic human rights is quintessential to establishing national 

and global health strength. 



Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



Dr. Khoa Duong and Wendi Cuscina 

6 


OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



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. Doctors 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, policy makers have historically made 

decisions for limited resource regions based on incomplete data and significant 

under representation of facts. This has produced policies that are ineffective or 

inappropriate to that region. 

Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 




Dr. Khoa Duong 

Dr. Khoa Duong, representing Nuvance 

Health, UVM and Cho Ray Hospital 

VietNam, had the privilege of a poster 

presentation at this year’s CUGH. The 

subject matter focused on faculty 

development, realized benefits and 

challenges, as well as the global health 

scholar experience. The culmination of 

his studies produced a result stating 

that the global health scholar gained 

greater medical education skills 

more than professional development 

skills. Future studies should explore 

how to further professional clinical 

development so that scholars can 

return to their home to sustain capacity 

building. 




Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



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 US as 1 in 4 countries that have moved backwards in advancing 

human reproduction rights and gender equality. The world looks to the US 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 educational levels. International Human Rights Laws as outlined in The 

Geneva Consensus are considered legitimate standards, regardless of whether 

governments want to acknowledge them. Society must hold decision makers/ 

policy makers, and governments accountable for all human health across the 

globe. 

7 


OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



INTERVIEW WITH 

Jeffrey Anderson 

Sr. Coordinator - Northeast 

AUC School of Medicine 

Global Health Elective: International 

Opportunities for Clinical Students 

Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 







Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 

Several years ago, AUC’s parent company, Adtalem Global Education, entered 

into a partnership with Nuvance Health to offer a Global Health elective to 

clinical students. Through that collaboration, many AUC students have gone to 

a variety of different countries to experience medical care in a new environment. 

The opportunity has been described as eye-opening and life-changing, and 

one that influences students well into their careers as physicians. 

With the 2023 elective dates underway, we sat down with Jeffrey Anderson, 

senior clinical coordinator, to learn more about the Nuvance Health Global 

Health Program and how students can apply. 

Traveling to a new country and entering a new culture is exciting but it can also 

be challenging. Nuvance Health provides comprehensive support to students 

both ahead of and during their travel to create a smooth transition. Before your 

elective, the Nuvance Health Global Health Program will provide education and 

training on issues typically encountered during your elective—things like prevalent 

tropical diseases, practical dilemmas, ethical issues and safety guidelines. They 

will also hold pre-departure orientation sessions to review the elective goals, 

curriculum, travel arrangements and site requirements. 

During the elective, you will meet with your clinical supervisor weekly to discuss 

different patient encounters and experiences. Some sites, including in the 

Dominican Republic and two of the sites in Uganda (Mulago and St. Stephen’s 

Hospitals) have a homestay model, which allows students to live and interact 

with their supervisor on a daily basis. You will also be required to keep a journal 

throughout your clerkship as a way of processing different events in the hospital 

and the community. This reflective writing helps students chronicle their journey 

and think deeply about their impact on an area and that area’s impact on them. 

Link to the Interview: 

Global Health Elective at the Adtalem Newsletters 



8

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



Reflections 

Reflections on My Rotation at Danbury 

Hospital ICU 

Written by Du Quoc Minh Quan, MD 

Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 







Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



As an observer in the Critical Care unit, I had the 

opportunity to participate in daily rounding and other 

activities of internal medicine residents, where I gained 

invaluable knowledge and experiences. In addition, 

over two months, I worked 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 faced 

by healthcare systems in low and middle-income countries. In addition, it has 

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. 

Here are some of my observations: 

The way one attending physician works with residents here has a significant 

advantage compared to our practice. One resident prepares each patient’s 

care plan, and the team will discuss it thoroughly. The physician makes the final 

decision, uniting all the group’s opinions. It keeps the plan in the right direction 

so everyone can easily follow the patient. 

Most of my new knowledge and insight come from the daily rounding. Under 

the physician’s supervision, we identify the patient’s problems and outline the 

plan for each. We go through the physiologic aspect, pathological changes, 

fundamentals of management, and current treatment guidelines. We actively 

discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches. 

I summarized many learning points every day and found them extremely useful 

for my practice. It helped me revise what I know, what I lack, and what needs to 

be learned. 

To have a clinical pharmacist in the ICU is the next exciting thing here. We 

don’t have this position at my hospital. Having a pharmacist watching for the 

medication prescribed, warning for interaction, and adjusting dosage in some 

conditions is extremely helpful to ICU doctors. It will be challenging, but I will 

convince my hospital’s head doctor for this role in each ICU department. 

9 

Reflections continued on next page >>

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 







Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



With Dr. Eric Jimenez and residents 

Currently, internal medicine residents will have 2-4 weeks in ICU. They practice 

in various departments but are not so advanced in critical care. As a graduate 

resident in critical care, I’m glad to help whenever the residents have a problem, 

especially with mechanical ventilation. We have conducted plenty of discussions 

and learned from each other a lot. 

Communication with a patient’s family is of paramount importance in critical 

care. When a loved one is admitted to the ICU, it is a stressful and emotional time 

for the family, who often feel helpless and overwhelmed. Communication with a 

patient’s family is of paramount importance in critical care. When a loved one is 

admitted to the ICU, it is a stressful and emotional time for the family, who often 

feel helpless and overwhelmed. 

Danbury hospital ICU is well set up for a meeting with the family. Here they have 

both open and private rooms for meetings and allow the family to be in the room 

with the patient. Doctors spend a lot of time talking with the family, helping them 

to be on board with the patient, encouraging them, and sharing sympathy. This 

can help to build trust and confidence in the healthcare team, and ensure that 

the patient’s family feels supported throughout their loved one’s critical care. 

10 


OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 




My Rotation in Cardiology at Danbury 

Hospital 

Written by Luis Castillo, MD from Heart 

Institute in Santo Domingo 

I felt welcomed and supported by everyone during 

my time at Danbury Hospital. Upon my arrival I was 

welcomed by Wendi Cuscina, the manager of the 

global health program, who showed me around 

the hospital, 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 department of cardiology including bedside rounding, and regularly attended 

clinics, rounds and sessions with the medical residents. I learned how to treat 

each patient holistically and establish a good relationship with patients’ friends 

and family. 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 more in the 

Dominican Republic. For instance, we see many patients with rheumatic fever 

and rheumatic valvular diseases in the Heart Institute in Santo Domingo. 

Delightfully I noticed that delivery of care is similar between 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 the opportunity provided. For me, this rotation was so 

beneficial. 




Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



Crane (Rose Schwartz) 

11 


OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 


The Heart and Soul of the Ugandan Youth Astound Me 

Written by Arezou Nazary 

PGY3 resident, CIFC Health Primary Care Internal Medicine Residency Program 


Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 







Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



From left to right: Arezou Nazary, Asima Mian, Alla Jusufi in St Francis hospital, Naggalama, Uganda 

But there’s also the flip side where I’m in profound awe of how these physicians 

think on their feet and are so incredibly innovative in an OR! In America, our 

surgeons are crazy about having their OR be perfect to their standards and 

packed with every little thing down to a T be exactly what they want, the Ortho 

doctor here not only was patient and waited two hours for the OR room/things 

to get going, but then when gloves or supplies are not to his liking and literally 

suction/tools during surgery not working properly he just comes up with things 

on the spot. It’s absolutely brilliant to see, and he does it all with such an amazing 

attitude and smile and energy with an enthusiasm to teach! 

The experience is wonderful, as mentioned we have scrubbed in and assisted 

on C-sections, calcaneal repairs, intramedullary tibial rod surgeries, and hip 

surgeries, that’s in addition to all the gen med cases. 

I took care of a girl this week with Sickle Cell Crisis with Acute Chest Syndrome. 

She was more worried about missing the school physics examination because 

she wants to be an engineer or doctor when she grows older. The heart and soul 

of the Ugandan youth astound me. Their resilience is aspiring. When we walk 

around, they are always smiling, saying hello, so extremely pleasant and kind. 

Which of course is why Alla, Asima and I are creating the Go Fund Me account to 

help the school off the palliative route. The youth of this country are special to 

us and we hope others see it too. 

The three of us definitely love Uganda. 

12 


OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 

Uganda is amazing! 

Written by Asima Mian 

PGY3 resident, CIFC Health Primary Care Internal Medicine 

Residency Program 

We went to visit a primary school with very limited 

resources in a small rural community. It was a humbling 

experience to be with children who were so happy 

and joyful despite not having the bare minimum needs in a school. After seeing 

that school and the hardships those children are going through to obtain an 

education, Alla, Arezou and I decided to raise funds to help the school out. We 

then went to Mulago Hospital in Kampala, had a hospital tour on Thursday and 

then joined the ID rounds Friday morning. I saw 4 patients with cryptococcal 

meningitis, 1 patient with toxoplasmosis and 1 patient with TB meningitis all in 

the setting of IRIS in HIV. These are diseases I do not routinely come across and 

seeing them being managed was a very educational experience. The teaching 

rounds in Mulago were excellent, we spent 3 hours rounding at the bedside with 

medical students and residents on these 6 patients. The rounds were informative 

and educational. 


Communities 







Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



Majid Sadigh (Wedding Dance) 

13 


OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 







My Eyes Are Open to the Small Wins in 

Medicine 

Written by 

Georgina A Todd MD Candidate | Class of 2023 

Ross University School of Medicine 

Being back in the hospital on rotations has made the 

return from Zimbabwe very real. I feel this overwhelming 

guilt using single use items in the hospital. Each 

patient that has contact precautions the entire team, 

attendings, residents and students, nurses, resp tech 

gown up in our disposable gowns and mask walk into the room look at the 

patient and walk out and throw it all in the trash. Juxtaposed with the clinic at 

Pari hospital where all the patients that were to be seen that day laid on the 

same washable sheet covering the exam table unless it was noticeably soiled 

with blood or other fluid. Prior to this experience I never thought twice about 

the wastefulness of single use items in our healthcare system; but throughout my 

elective I found myself only going into patient rooms if I had to in order to not 

waste resources. 

I also think I’m appreciating the little things more. I had a patient who spent an 

entire week in the ICU, his family and friends never left his side. If one person 

left another came to be with him, they worked in shifts even if he was sleeping 

someone was always there. Which was just so refreshing to see after being at 

Pari where visitors were only allowed during certain hours and patients spent 

most of the day alone, or trying to reach family members on a cell phone just to 

hear a familiar voice. Patients aren’t alone here; they have company fellowship 

and friends which has such a great impact on their health and recovery. It’s 

also nice that patients don’t have to die alone and family members don’t show 

up in visiting hours just to find that their relative is no longer with them. This 

experience has opened my eyes to the small wins in medicine that I have often 

missed, and has unlocked a new passion for global health that I didn’t know I 

had. I will be forever grateful. 

Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



Click here to visit the Nuvance Health Global Health Program 

COVID-19 Resource Center 

14

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 

Art To Remind Us 

of Who We Can Be 

Co-Editors: 

Mitra Sadigh 

and 

Elina Mukhametshina, MD 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 





During times of confusion, tribulation, grief, uncertainty, and despair, the arts 

enliven us by reintegrating the disjointed pieces of ourselves and replenishing 

them with clarity and hope. The arts remind us of our individual and collective 

potential to grow, evolve, and transform. They remind us of what and who we can 

be and what we can create. In this new section, we bring you works of art that 

have moved and inspired us. We encourage you to also share works that have 

inspired you. 

This month we are highlighting the art work of Kent Monkman. 

ABOUT THE ARTIST 

Kent Monkman 



Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



Kent Monkman’s Shame and Prejudice: A Story of Resilience takes you on a 

journey through Canada’s history. 

15 

Art continued on next page >>

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

The artist’s gender fluid, time-traveling alter-ego, Miss Chief Eagle Testickle, 

narrates the story through the lens of Indigenous resilience, from New France 

and Confederation, to the harsh urban environment of Winnipeg’s North End and 

contemporary life on the reserve. 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 







Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



Created as a response to Canada 150, this nationally touring exhibition features 

nearly 80 pieces, including Monkman’s own paintings, installations and sculptures, 

in dialogue with historical artifacts loaned from museums and private collections 

across Canada. 

Shame and Prejudice: A Story of Resilience 

Link to the Interview and Video 

Kent Monkman 

16 

Art continued on next page >>

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Here Are 40 Of The Most Striking Photographs, As Selected By 

All About Photo Magazine Awards 2023: “The Mind’s Eye” 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 




All About Photo is delighted to announce this year’s winners of All About 

Photo Awards 2023 - The Mind’s Eye, recognizing the best single images from 

photographers around the world. 

Visionary photographers from around the world, both professional and amateur, 

shared their unique perspectives and competed for international recognition as 

the next Photographer of the Year, $10,000 in cash prizes, and publication in the 

printed magazine ‘’Special Edition All About Photo Awards 2023’’. 




Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



Here Are 40 Of The Most Striking Photographs, As Selected By All About Photo 

Magazine Awards 2023: “The Mind’s Eye” 

Art continued on next page >> 

17

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 







Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



Friends 

Elton John 

Lyrics 

I hope the day will be a lighter highway 

For friends are found on every road 

Can you ever think of any better way 

For the lost and weary travelers to go? 

Making friends for the world to see 

Let the people know you got what you need 

With a friend at hand you will see the light 

If your friends are there then every thing’s alright 

It seems to me a crime that we should age 

These fragile times should never slip us by 

A time you never can or shall erase 

As friends together watch their childhood fly 









Link to the Video 

Friends; Elton John 

Link to the Lyrics 

Friends 

18

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



From Vietnam 


Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 







Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



The warmth and hospitality here is extraordinary. 

I can easily say that medical students’ experience has been extremely well 

organized, they are consistently matched with English-speaking mentors and 

they feel accepted and engaged in the things that they have done. We could 

find no area where they had complaints or unhappiness. I think much of this is 

due to the excellent organization and preparation from the training unit. 

I was impressed at the quality of education, environment and enthusiasm of 

the supervising doctors who are UMP professors (not all wards have UMP staff). 

Contrasting to my Danbury inpatient pediatric experience when I was a student 

I was overwhelmed and impressed at the sheer number of cases, procedures 

and learning opportunities for those interested in pediatrics. The wards I think 

which would be the best for the students would be infectious PICU, hematology, 

nephrology and neurology/pulmonary. Discussing with Professor Nguyen I also 

asked him about timing the cohorts and it is possible that we time some two/four 

week rotations with the Vietnamese students in a way that they could meet a 

new group every two weeks or move with the same cohort of maybe 20 students. 

Joanna Moore 

19 

Reports continued on next page >>

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 







Photo News 

There is a significant interest in developing some kind of cultural program for the 

students. We have agreed that one strategy might be to pair our students with 

local Vietnamese medical students who are their peers in age and experience. 

Vietnamese students would get an opportunity to learn about American culture 

and practice English, with the expectation that they would become friendly 

mentors to the students with respect to Vietnamese culture, home life and social 

mores. We thought the students might get together at least once a week to go 

marketing, visit a historical site, meet families, and other kinds of activities that 

would evolve as the program evolved. There are still issues to be sorted out, 

such as how to recruit local students and pair them with our students, but there 

is significant interest in building a program that meets the goals that you have 

outlined. 

Stephen Winter 

It was such a pleasure to welcome the team from Nuvance Health to visit our 

Faculty of Medicine at UMP last week. 

We have discussed several issues regarding 

• The mutual understanding to create an exchange program for medical 

students of Nuvance Health to have placement with the OB / GYN and 

Pediatric departments. 

• The possibility of receiving UMP medical students sometime in 2024 

• The possibility to send fellows from UMP to teaching academy of Nuvance 

Health on interprofessional education and other program 

Duong Le 

International Relations Office 

Faculty of Medicine 

University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 

Calendar 

Resources 



20

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 







Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



Global Local 

Health Disparities within our Borders 

Section Editor: Ritesh Vidhun 

Strength of the Smartphone: Mobile 

Application for Improving Palliative Care 

Article Analysis 

Written by Ritesh Vidhun 

Pain medicine and palliative care are essential in 

21st century healthcare. It is viewed as an ethical 

responsibility that World Health Organization (WHO) 

member states must uphold. There are severe 

inequalities among countries in the Global North and Global South leading many 

providers and policymakers to come up with interventions that address the need. 

One such strategy is described in the piece by Harding et al., published in the 

Journal of Pain and Symptom Management in 2021. These researchers focused 

on designing and evaluating a mobile application (app) aimed at improving 

overall palliative care. They chose three sites for their program: The Institute of 

Palliative Care in Calicut, India; Hospice Africa Uganda in Kampala, Uganda; 

and Island Hospice and Healthcare in Harare, Zimbabwe. These locations were 

selected based on a specific set of criteria, ranging from access to the internet 

to a multidisciplinary healthcare approach. The study was divided into a series 

of objectives: “(1) Mobile Phone Application Codesign, (2) Application Usage, (3) 

Stakeholder Views, and (4) Proposed Refinements.” 

Prior to executing and evaluating their intervention, the development team worked 

in conjunction with local palliative care providers from family and professional 

settings in all three sites. They ensured that the essential features were included 

with a heavy focus on strong data collection, minimizing app content, and timely 

uploads to ensure efficient care. After the app was developed the researchers 

provided participants at each site with Android cell phones with the program 

already downloaded. Each site was composed of 25 community caregivers 

and 25 family caregivers who used the app once a week for six weeks. Prior to 

collecting data on patient care, the providers filled out a baseline questionnaire 

to build the data foundation. As information was acquired about patients, it 

was uploaded to a local computer and Excel file for later analysis. During this 

process some challenges came up, mostly related to accessibility. In several 

cases caregivers did not have strong internet connection or access to sim cards 

leading to delays in data upload and therefore, slower real-time patient notes. 

After the six weeks, researchers interviewed different providers using semistructured 

questionnaires. They prioritized discussions on app content, benefits, 

struggles, format, and usage. The data was then transcribed and coded with 

the main results outlined. 

21 

Global Local continued on next page >>

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 



The main evaluation tool was qualitative interviews and caregiver feedback 

broken down by objective. For all participants, despite some challenges a 

beneficial outcome was experienced indicating that the presence of the app 

was an overall good. There were specific improvements mentioned in the paper, 

such as shortening the symptom burden section or visually categorizing scores, 

to improve user friendliness. In terms of usage, main feedback surrounded privacy 

concerns with sensitive patient data. The large portion of the coded data 

relates to Objectives (3) and (4) with five main codes generated: “Advantages 

to using the app, disadvantages, influence of daily clinical and organizational 

practice, learning to use the app, and suggested improvements to the app.” 

The researchers noted that experiences were mentioned the most from the 

interviews to indicate the overall evaluation of the intervention. This study noted 

some limitations surrounding application in different settings but emphasized 

the need for expansion due to the initial overall benefits. 

It is clear that technology can have powerful effects in even resource-limited 

settings and these results underscore the need for increased development and 

implementation of outside-the-box interventions to address health disparities. 

If interested, please read through the piece cited below. 

Reference: 

Harding, R., Carrasco, J. M., Serrano-Pons, J., Lemaire, J., Namisango, E., Luyirika, 

E., Immanuel, T., Paleri, A. K., Mathews, L., Chifamba, D., Mupaza, L., Martínez, C. L., 

Zirimenya, L., Bouësseau, M.-C., & Krakauer, E. L. (2021). Design and Evaluation of 

a Novel Mobile Phone Application to Improve Palliative Home-Care in Resource- 

Limited Settings. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 62(1), 1–9. https:// 

doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.09.045 





Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



Proud Mom (Rose Schwartz) 

22

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 







Photo News 

Calendar 

Hispanic/Latinx Voices; 

Stories from our Community 

Section Editor: Elvis Novas 

Written by Elvis Novas 

Advisor for the Dominican Community Center and 

member of the Board of Directors of Housatonic Habitat 

for Humanity, Danbury, CT 

“I am very grateful for the privilege of being selected 

as editor for the column “Hispanic/Latinx Voices: 

Stories from our Community ‘’ of the Global Health 

eMagazine.” 

My desire for a better community has been the guide to introduce me to 

community work, specifically in the Hispanic/Latinx community. This experience 

has allowed me to see and treat people in our community with great human and 

professional values; men and women who just need a platform to share their 

stories and amplify the voices of others. 

Our vision for the column “Hispanic/Latinx Voices: Stories From Our Community” 

is based on the interest of making our people, culture, values, and points of view 

known and at the same time motivate our audience to be more interested in our 

community. 

With this, we seek greater visibility for our community, the opportunity for our 

people to expose their talents and abilities to communicate and for others to 

know our true stories. I encourage you to follow us each month as we feature 

inspiring stories from our Hispanic/Latinx community in the city of Danbury, 

Connecticut. Please feel free to send me your ideas or thoughts at enovas@ 

gmail.com. 

Resources 



23 

Latinx continued on next page >>

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



Husky for Immigrants 

Written by Najely Clavijo 

Najely Clavijo is a 22-year-old undocumented 

and unafraid community organizer and Immigrant 

Rights Advocate with CT Students for a Dream. 

She was born in Ecuador and raised in Spain. 

Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 







Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



She came to the US when she was 13 years old and graduated from Danbury 

High School in 2018, she now attends Naugatuck Valley Community College 

where she studies computer science. 

She worked closely since 2015 with the Afford to Dream Campaign, a campaign 

now turned into law in 2018 that provides financial aid to undocumented 

students in the state of CT, now she is working on the current campaign, Husky 

for Immigrants, a campaign that is fighting to open access to healthcare to 

immigrant families. Her current role as the Danbury Organizer allows her to help 

in the current campaigns while building youth leadership in Danbury. 

CT Students for a Dream, alongside the HUSKY for Immigrants Coalition that is 

composed of immigrants’ rights community organizers, health care advocacy 

organizers, community leaders, healthcare providers, faith leaders, unions fighting 

for access to health care and health coverage for CT’s immigrant population. 

In Connecticut, undocumented immigrants are unable to access healthcare 

coverage. They can’t buy into AccessHealth CT, are not eligible for Medicaid or 

Medicare, and private insurance companies are either too expensive or outright 

reject applications from undocumented individuals. 

Without health care coverage, many individuals delay seeking care until their 

condition requires emergency department visits or hospitalizations. Chronic 

health issues that could be easily managed or treated, such as diabetes and 

heart disease, develop into more serious and expensive conditions. 

Last year, over 400 health care providers signed on to a letter in support of 

expanding eligibility for HUSKY, Connecticut’s Medicaid program, to include 

undocumented members of our community. The CT legislature passed a bill in 

response which provides HUSKY care to all children ages 0-12, regardless of 

immigration status, and pregnant people for prenatal and postpartum care. 

A recent study concluded that passing legislation to expand CT’s HUSKY 

Health program to all CT residents would have substantial benefits to the 

state, reducing the insured rate in undocumented immigrants from 57% to 39%, 

reducing uncompensated care costs for Connecticut’s hospitals by $63 million, 

and reducing CT Emergency Medicaid costs (approximately $15 million in 2021). 

24 

Latinx continued on next page >>

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

This 2023 legislative session, we ask healthcare providers, and the community to 

urge our lawmakers to support a state budget that funds an expansion of HUSKY 

eligibility to immigrants up to age 26, regardless of immigration status, the fight 

is not done until we get access for all immigrants in CT. 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 







Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



25

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 







Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



Section Editor: 


Catherine G Winkler, PhD, MPH, APRN-BC 

Director of the Nuvance Health Global Health Program Nursing Division 

Strengthening Healthcare Systems 

Written by 

Catherine G Winkler, PhD, MPH, APRN-BC 

Director of the Nuvance Health Global Health 

Program Nursing Division 

Strong healthcare systems are needed for all people to achieve timely access 

to quality healthcare to promote, restore and maintain health. Improving 

healthcare systems In the USA as well as on a global level requires administrators 

and healthcare leaders to take a hard look at the delivery of care, the cost of 

care, the timeliness of care and “the caring” in healthcare. 

After the pandemic, change has been necessary on behalf of all healthcare 

providers in the delivery of care, the content of care and the timeliness of that 

care. Front line providers needed to don extra gear, change protocols, use 

resources differently and reprioritize their work with staff levels low and with care 

complicated by isolation and uncertainty. 

Patients and their families also needed to make ongoing changes since the 

pandemic by making careful decisions about if they should seek care, when 

to seek care, how to seek care, and from what source in what venue would 

accessing this care be possible. 

Healthcare systems and administrators have changed too – but it requires more 

effort because they need to recognize problems and develop strategies, quick 

responses, and activities to allow providers to do their work effectively, and to 

sustain positive changes now through the next pandemic or crisis. Healthcare 

organizations and their leaders need to meet the needs of their staff and the 

patients that they provide healthcare to every day. 

Delivery of care needs to be available and timely. Often with large healthcare 

systems that span across a state or states that have set themselves up with 

service lines designed to manage expensive disease states such as orthopedics, 

or cardiovascular care - lose sight of what services their communities need that 

may be lost leaders financially but are vital to the local people such as pediatric 

services or primary care. A shift should happen to review the community needs 

and then a plan about how to access it. Does it make sense to have telemedicine 

visits, clinic, or home visits? Then once decided, look beyond the hired call service 

that may pick up the call in 30 seconds but still struggles to get a patient seen 

within a month. Community connectivity is needed to ensure that in addition to 

26 

Nursing continued on next page >>

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 







Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



service lines that rapid response, urgent care, emergency care, and primary care 

are offered and accessible locally. Where is the care in healthcare? 

Care needs to be cost-effective but should also be safe and convenient for the 

patient that needs an outpatient procedure. Perhaps a cholecystectomy can 

be done same day, but in thinking about the secondary consequences of that 

surgery and the issues with urinary retention or symptom management – does it 

seem like a good idea to have the 75 year old patient need to follow up on Friday 

evening after the procedure in the ED as their only course of action available to 

have a urinary catheter placed or ongoing nausea treated? This happens often, 

and patients bear the burden of an ED visit with the associated health risk and 

cost. Where is the care in healthcare? 

Patients who are 10 minutes before going into surgery should not have to find 

their credit card in their clothes that have already been placed in the pre-op 

locker to pay an out-of-pocket expense to the hospital before they are wheeled 

into the OR. Perhaps this could have been considered the week before so that 

the frightened patient is not further troubled. After that the same restructuring 

of finances would make sense without asking the parents of a sick child going in 

at 5 in the morning for an invasive procedure to also pay for the estimated cost 

of care. Where is the care in healthcare? 

Communication and transparency need to be either reinstated or developed 

post pandemic. With the primary care physician replaced in the hospital 

setting by hospitalist and intensivist along with specialist- skilled nursing facility 

physicians - then without timely communication and perfect electronic medical 

records that are secure and available-important information is lost, gaps in care 

occur and patients and the families suffer the consequences. A phone call or an 

in-person visit is best and should be done in addition to information provided in 

a patient portal. Some patients have 5-10 portals they need to manage and still 

data is missing or lost. Access to care and coordination of that care needs to be 

done across platforms and locations. Where is the care in healthcare? 

Environment of care needs to be upgraded with more privacy, that’s accessible 

space to meet the needs of a child, a person who uses a wheelchair, or a person 

with blindness or a hearing deficit and with resources and clean areas available 

to promote a patient’s independence, confidence, safety, and health while 

enabling front line healthcare providers to do their work. 

Healthcare administrators need to support the advancement of science with 

time for providers to conduct research, review literature and consult with 

colleagues. The interconnectedness of the world requires administrators and 

leaders to strengthen partnerships with colleagues across the world, as well 

as down the street and around the corner to improve public policy, encourage 

advocacy, and work on screening, health promotion and disease prevention. 

There are major changes in patterns and trajectories of health, disease, and 

aging and to improve and sustain change, healthcare leaders must adapt now 

to the changing world to ensure that the care is reinstated in healthcare and 

that it is sustainable. 

27

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Women’s Health Education 

Section Editor: Sarah Cordisco, RN 

Staff Nurse at the University of Vermont 

Female Genital Cutting; Part 2 

Written by Lauren Coritt 

MD Candidate Class of 2023 Larner College of Medicine 

lauren.coritt@med.uvm.edu 

Only through collaboration can we work towards ending harmful traditional 

practices. 

Global Local 


Communities 







Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



The language providers use is important. For example, FCG is also referred to 

as female genital mutilation (FGM), a term that some consider inflammatory 

and stigmatizing and creates resistance from the community because they feel 

their culture if being vilified. In a survey of 432 Somali migrants over 87% of them 

reported being subjected to hurtful comments regarding FGM during a healthcare 

visit. This is unacceptable. As healthcare providers it is our job to provide an 

open and judgment free environment where patients feel comfortable disclosing 

their health concerns. Any act, whether deliberate or not, that impedes this goal 

is a disservice to our patients. 

Cultural humility is an invaluable trait to have when working with diverse patient 

populations. A lot is going on in the exam room; the patient is an amalgamation 

of generations of race, class, ethnicity, cultural norms, and patterns of family 

origin. A culturally humble provider must be able to assess their own culture, race, 

28 

Women’s Health continued on next page >>

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 







Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



ethnicity, gender, and class in relation to the patient and assess how their own 

background contributes to their biases. Providers should focus on acceptance 

of a diverse range of health beliefs, be knowledgeable of their culture of the 

population they are treating and practice respectful engagement. So how do we 

have a conversation with a patient about traditional practices while respecting 

their culture but also operating within the ethical and legal mandates of our 

practice? 

In Canada the Sexuality Education Research Center (SERC) began the Ourselves, 

Our Daughters project to promote harm reduction for sexual and reproductive 

health issues. Their first goal was to understand the community’s view on 

FCG. Community members were interviewed either in gender-segregated 

focus groups or as individuals. Thematic analysis of the data was conducted 

and presented to the groups before another round of analysis was performed 

with incorporation of community feedback. Researchers learned that often 

women were not knowledgeable about the long-term impacts of FGC, they 

often thought complications were due to an evil spirit or a curse rather than 

consequences of the procedure. The SERC then developed special training 

materials for the community to educate them about the anatomy/physiology 

of female internal organs and topics relevant to women’s reproductive health. 

Women reacted by expressing regret over their past decisions, while others had 

been aware of anti-FGC campaigns, and others did not view FCG as harmful. 

Based on the results of their research SERC providers underwent briefings that 

helped them to lose the us v. them, freedom v. oppression dichotomies; providers 

began to think about traditional practices on a continuum which ultimately 

allowed providers to build trust with their patients. In Switzerland community 

providers partnered with professional and amateur actors to create plays about 

the harms of certain traditional practices. The purpose of the play was to raise 

public awareness without accusation or judgment and foster discussion after 

the play was performed. 

These examples show us a path to how to have these difficult conversations. 

The first step is acknowledgement. Providers need to acknowledge and validate 

patient experiences and learn to listen to the patient with an open and nonjudgmental 

ear. Physicians who participated in formal global health programs 

during residency felt they were more prepared to treat refugees and immigrants 

with non-Western health beliefs. They reported improved clinical practice 

behaviors such as use of a medical interpreter instead of a family member and 

were more likely to follow the best practice guidelines for treating immigrant/ 

refugee population and were more open to asking about alternative medicine/ 

cultural practices. 

Culture and tradition often hold significant weight in the community. For 

change to occur it must be negotiated at the community level. Many cultures 

are hierarchical so providers could consider working with community leaders 

to begin to change attitudes toward harmful traditional practices. The path of 

change lies with our ability to hold open and honest discussions. Community 

members must feel heard and not feel judged. Only through collaboration can 

we work towards ending harmful traditional practices. 

29

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 





Our Beautiful Planet 

Section Editor: 

Dilyara F. Nurkhametova, MD, PhD 

Director of Nuvance Health Global Health Electives Program 

for AUC/RUSM 

This new column exhibits the beauties of our planet earth 

and our everyday destructive actions against it. We are 

witnessing Earth undergoing a profound transformation. 

In this recently launched section, we appreciate the gems 

of our planet while raising awareness of climate change. 

We invite our global health community to share photos, 

videos, inspirational resources, and stories. We want to 

hear from you how climate change affects people and 

health in your part of the world. 

Global governance for pandemic prevention and the wildlife trade 



Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



In this viewpoint Gallo-Cajio et. al. (2023) discuss the need for the explicit 

institutional arrangement about zoonotic spillover prevention focusing on 

improving coordination across four policy domains, including public health, 

biodiversity conservation, food security, and trade. 

Read the full text here 

30 

Planet continued on next page >>

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 






Policy on climate change and health 

The Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME), representing national 

medical associations across Europe, released Policy on climate change and 

health. In this policy they introduce measures to reduce the carbon footprint of 

the healthcare sector and how to make it more sustainable without compromising 

patient safety or care. 

Upcoming events 

Integrating Public and Ecosystem Health Systems to Foster Resilience: 

Identifying Research to Bridge the Knowledge-To-Action Gap 

Date TBD in May (virtual) 

This webinar will discuss key messages and perspectives on how to advance 

policy and practice based on the proceedings of a National Academies workshop 

focused on integrating public and ecosystem health to foster resilience and 

bridging the knowledge-to-action gap. 

Register via this link 

MSCL Colloquium: Constructive Climate Communication from the Audience 

Perspective: Promises, Challenges, and Pitfalls 

Date: May 16, 2023 (virtual) 

Prof. Dr. Imke Hoppe will discuss the concept of ‘solution-based journalism’ for 

the field of climate communication with a perspective on audiences and will 

discuss potentials and limitations of the approach. 

Read more about the event here, register here 


Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



Click here to visit the 

Nuvance Health Global 

Health Program 


31 


OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Big Picture. Natural World Photography 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 


Three polar bears searching for any meat that hasn’t yet been picked over 

by the other scavengers of the high Arctic. 

By 2019 Big Picture Wildlife Finalist Daniel Dietrich @danieldietrichphoto 






Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



“Midnight Oil,” 2019 Big Picture Art of Nature finalist Mac Stone @macstonephoto 

32 


OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 

2019 Big Picture Aquatic Life Finalist Florian Ledoux @florian_ledoux_photographer 


Communities 






Two scientists wearing reflective 

protective gear collect samples 

of liquid lava on the Cumbre 

Vieja volcano in Spain. It’s so hot 

here that flashlights won’t work. 

By Arturo Rodríguez 

@arturorguezdotcom 


Photo News 

Calendar 

Check out BigPicture 

on Instagram @ 

bigpicturecomp 

Resources 



33

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



Article of 

the Month 

A Cree Artist Redraws HistoryWith humor and fantasy, Kent 

Monkman disrupts clichés of Native victimhood at the Met. 

Highlights 

By Holland Cotter 

New York Times; Dec. 19, 2019 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 







Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



Kent Monkman’s painting “Welcoming the Newcomers” in the Great Hall of the Metropolitan Museum 

of Art. Credit; Aaron Wynia for The New York Times 

Coonskin caps for Christmas! I was a kid in mid-20th-century America. The 

biggest cultural event I can remember from early childhood was Walt Disney’s 

gigantic popular “Davy Crockett: Indian Fighter” on TV. The first installment of a 

serial, which debuted on Dec. 15, 1954, it was basically about the exploits of a 

Tennessee backwoods gun-for-hire, and promoted nostalgia for the days when 

the Wild West was “won” from indigenous peoples. A verse of the theme song, 

which was everywhere on the radio, went: 

Andy Jackson is our gen’ral’s name 

His reg’lar soldiers we’ll put to shame 

Them redskin varmints us Volunteers’ll tame 

‘Cause we got the guns with the surefire aim 

Davy, Davy Crockett, the champion of us all! 

Andy Jackson was, of course, Andrew Jackson, seventh president of the United 

States, whose 1830 signing of the Indian Removal Act led to the Trail of Tears, and 

34 

Article continued on next page >>

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 


whose portrait now hangs, at the request of the 45th and sitting president, in the 

Oval Office of the White House. 

All this came back to mind when I saw “The Great Hall Commission: Kent 

Monkman, mistikosiwak (Wooden Boat People)” at the Metropolitan Museum of 

Art. The second in a continuing series of contemporary works sponsored by the 

Met, it consists of two monumental new paintings by the Canadian artist Kent 

Monkman, installed on either side of the museum’s main entrance in the soaring 

Great Hall. 

The paintings are pretty stupendous. Each measuring almost 11 feet by 22 

feet, they are multi-figured narratives, inspired by a Euro-American tradition 

of history painting but entirely present-tense in theme and tone. And both are 

unmistakably polemical, suggesting that with this and other commissions — 

an earlier one, sculptures by the Kenyan-born artist Wangechi Mutu, is still in 

place on the museum’s Fifth Avenue facade — certain winds of change could be 

blowing through the Met’s art-temple precincts. 

Mr. Monkman, 54, is one of Canada’s best-known contemporary artists, and 

one who has stirred controversy on his home ground. Of mixed Cree and Irish 

heritage, he has made the violence done under European occupation, to North 

America’s first peoples, a central subject of his work. 

Link to the Article 

A Cree Artist Redraws History With humor and fantasy, Kent Monkman disrupts 

clichés of Native victimhood at the Met. 






Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



35

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 




I received my copies of the GH Annual Report and wanted to let you know how 

pleased I am with the finished product! The layout is pleasing, and the stories 

are compelling. I was so happy to see photos of students with whom I’ve worked 

from both schools, and it adds a level of personal accomplishment for me being 

able to play a small part in their professional journeys. 

I appreciate it 

Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 

All my best, 

Jeff 

Jeffrey B. Anderson 

Regional Clinical Coordinator, Northeast 


Global Local 


Communities 







Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



Global Health Academy (Majid Sadigh) 

36

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 


To Dr. Du Quoc Minh Quan 

“The 21st Youth Science & Technology Conference for Medicine ‘’ was held on 

Nov. 2-4, 2022 at HaNoi Medical University. 

Dr. Quân, one of the global health scholars from Cho Ray Hospital in Vietnam, 

was awarded the 2nd prize for his research topic “Left ventricular overload in 

patients supported with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation” - 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 







Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



Click here to visit the Nuvance 

Health Global Health Program 


37 

Congratulations continued on next page >>

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 


Congratulations to Swapnil Parve for successfully defending his Ph.D. 

thesis titled “Hemodynamic and Cardiometabolic Relationship in Young Patients”. 

The dissertation council voted unanimously (20-0) in favor of awarding Swapnil 

Parve Ph.D. in Cardiology. 


Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 







Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



Saadi Hospital Shiraz, Iran (1978) 

38

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



From CUGH 

Photo News 

Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 





Dr. Andrea Green, Dr. Amalia Kane, Dr. Katie 

Wells 

Dr. Nakanjako, Dr. Khoa, Wendi Cuscina, and 

Derrick Abila 



Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



Dr. Nakanjako 

Dr. Khoa Duong 

39

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 







Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



Calendar of Events 

Nuvance Health 

April 01: CIFC residents, Dr Arezou Nazary and Dr Asima Mian started their GH 

elective in Naggalama, Uganda 

April 01-02: Finalized the global health diaries with Mitra Sadigh and Amanda 

Wallace 

April 01-02: Finalized the global health eMagazine with Mitra Sadigh and 

Amanda Walace 

April 03: Meeting with Wendi Cuscina, the manager of the global health program, 

to review the program of the Second Annual Nuvance Health Global Health Day 

April 03: Talking to Dr. Robert Jarrett in respect to a new resident coming from 

Dominican Republic to Danbury Hospital for cardiology rotation 

April 03: Academic Service Line Meeting 

April 03: Meeting with Dr. Dilyara Nurkhametova, the assistant director of the 

global health program to review multiple agenda 

April 03: Meeting with the manager of the Ethan Allen Hotel in preparation of the 

second annual global health conference 

April 03: Debriefing meeting with Wendi Cuscian, the manager of the global 

health program 

April 03: Meeting with Dr. Bulat Ziganshin to discuss his role in the global health 

day and future responsibilities at Nuvance Health 

April 04: Meeting with Wendi Cuscian, the manager of the global health program 

to discuss the itinerary of the global health day in early June 

April 04: Meeting with a professional photographer to recruit for the global 

health day 

April 04: Ruggles Research Institute Fifth Year Anniversary Luncheon 

April 05: Meeting with Dr. Elina Mukhametshina and Dr. Mariah McNamra, the 

associate director of the global health program at UVMLCOM to discuss the 

content, topics, speakers, and facilitators of the educational program on 

Monday June 05. 

April 05: Meeting with Mrs. and Dr. Jarrett, the president and the founder of 

the Heart Around the World and Dr. Dereck Deleon, the CAO to discuss the 

engagement of this NGO with NIH in Armenia 

April 05: Meeting with Dr. Rama Vidhun, the pathology department residency 

40 

Calendar continued on next page >>

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 







Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



program director at Danbury Hospital to learn about the possibility of hosting a 

scholar for a rotation in pathology department 

April 05: Meeting with Dr. Shalote R. Chipamaunga Bamu, a faculty of medical 

education at Zimbabwe University, to discuss her participation at the second 

global health day 

April 05: Meeting with Wendi Cuscina to discuss logistics of the global health 

day 

April 05: Dr Mariah McNamara and Dr Elina Mukhametshina met to discuss Global 

Health Day planning 

April 06: Meeting with the CME leadership to learn about possibility of making 

the global health lecture series and the global health conferences accredited 

by CME 


Wallace 

April 10: Meeting with Dr. Stephen Scholand to learn about his recent travel to 

Thailand 

April 10: UVMLCOM Global health leadership meeting 

April 10: Meeting with Dr. Bulat Ziganshin to discuss his future plans 

April 10: Meeting with Dr. Dilyara Nurkhametova to discuss plans for the global 

health day 

April 11: Meeting with Dr. Elina Mukhametshina to discuss the content of the 

educational program on June 5th, the second day of the second annual global 

health conference 

April 11: Meeting with Dr. Stephen Winter to learn about his experience in Vietnam 

and other agenda 

April 11: CIFC resident, Dr. Alla Jusufi completed her GH elective in Naggalama, 

Uganda 

April 12: Meeting with Dr. Christopher lehrach, chief physician officer at Nuvance 

Health to discuss structure and content of the global health program 

April 13: Meeting with Andrea Rynn, the director of public relation to discuss the 

global health day in early June 

April 13: Meeting with one of the 3rd year medical students from UVM interested 

in global health 

April 13: Meeting with the coordinator of UVMLCOM to discuss the date of the 

next global health bridge 

April 14: Dr Mariah McNamara and Dr Elina Mukhametshina met to discuss Global 

Health Day planning 

41 


OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 







Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



April 15: Meeting with one of the global health academy faculty to discuss his 

level of involvement as a volunteer in the academy. 


Wallace 

April 18: Lecture on Ebola Virus Diseases at SHU 

April 18: The Nuvance Health Global Health Executive Steering Committee met 

with Declan Kirrane, Chairman and Managing Director, UNGA-78 Science Summit 

April 20: Meeting with Dr. Dereck DeLeon, CAO and Wendi Cuscina, the manager 

of the global health program to discuss the partnership with NIH, Armenia 

April 20: Lecture on Ebola Virus Diseases at SHU 

April 21: INEC meeting; Discussion around fundraising and the 2nd global health 

conference 

April 21: Meeting with Dr. Robyn Scatena to discuss recruitment of an academic 

director for the global health academy and structure and function of the Global 

Health Academy Executive Committee 


Wallace 

April 24: Weekly debriefing meeting with Wendi Cuscina 

April 24: Meeting with Dr. Asghar Rastegar to discuss the future of the global 

health at Nuvance Health 

April 24: Weekly debriefing meeting with Dr. Dilyara Nurkhametova, the assistant 

director of the global health program 

April 24: Meeting with Dr. Majd Soudan, the chief resident of psychiatry 

department at Nuvance Health and Dr. Elina Mukhametshina to discuss global 

mental health elective 

April 24: Monthly Academic Service Line Meeting 

April 25: Meeting with the members of compliance office 

April 26: Discussion of summer students and other participants in global health 

elective with Reverend Samuel Luboga 

April 26: Preparation session to a meeting with Catalyst magazine photographer 

with one of the members of the NVH foundation 

April 26: Meeting with Elvis Novas to discuss the future direction of the global 

health program in partnership with Latinx community 

42 


OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 







Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



April 27: Meeting with Dr. Oltikar to discuss the infrastructure of the global health 

academy 

April 27: Meeting with Dean Karen Daley to discuss Dingle’s project 

April 28: Meeting with Dilyara Nurkhametova to discuss the global health 

conference 

April 28: Meeting with Elina Mukhametshina to discuss her participation in global 

health conference 

April 28: Discussion of summer students and other participants in global health 

elective in Thailand with Dr. Stephen Scholand 

April 29: Meeting with a medical resident from Kenya interested in global health 

April 29- 30: Finalized the global health diaries and eMagazine with Mitra Sadigh 

and Amanda Wallace 

UVMLCOM 

April 06: Dilyara Nurkhametova met with Audree Frey to go over grading process 

in UVM platforms 

April 10: Global Health Leadership Team meeting 

April 18: Meeting with UVM student to discuss upcoming GH elective 

April 24: First GH pre-departure session for UVMLCOM MS1 students in preparation 

for summer GH electives 

April 24: Global Health Leadership Team meeting 

AUC/RUSM 

April 3: Touch base meeting with Dr Elina Mukhametshina 

April 3: Two AUC/RUSM students started their GH elective in Mulago hospital, 

Kampala, Uganda 


April 12: Meeting with Svanjita Berry, Salwa Sadiq Ali, Amanda Herrera to discuss 

reflections project 

April 19: Touch base meeting with Dr Elina Mukhametshina, AUC/RUSM GH 

electives, GH Day discussion 

April 20: Meeting with Dr Elina Mukhametshina to work on the application 

package for AUC/RUSM medical schools for the year 2024 


43

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Resources 

Global Health 



Highlights 

Reflections 


Who We Can Be 


Global Local 


Communities 







Photo News 

Calendar 

Resources 



Yale Medicine 2008 

Photos and Reflections 2021 

Global Health & the Arts 

Nuvance Health and UVMLCOM Global 

Health Website 


Nuvance Health and UVMLCOM Annual 

Report 2020 

AUC/RUSM Annual Reports 

Cases and Reflections from Mulago 

Climb for a Cause 2018 

Climb for a Cause 2019 

Ebola: Sequences on Light and Dark 

Global Health Annual Reports 

Global Health Conference 2019 Photos 

Global Health Conference 2019 Videos 

Global Health Conference 2019 Book 

Global Health Diaries and Newsletters 

2017-2018 

Global Health Diaries and eMagazines 

2018-2019 

Global Health eMagazines 2020-2021 

Global Health Diaries 2020-2021 

Global Health Reflections & Photos 2017 

and 2018 

Global Health Reflections & Photos 2019 

Ethical Dilemmas book 

Global Health at WCHN Facebook 

Ho Chi Minh City and Cho Ray Hospital 

The Homestay Model of Global Health 

Program video 

Kasensero Uganda 

Nuvance/MakCHS Global Health 

Information Center Booklet 

Paraiso and the PAP Hospital 

Photographs from Uganda, by 

photojournalist Tyler Sizemore 

Presentations By Global Health Scholars 

Previous issues of the Global Health 


Program Partners 

Publications 

Site Specific Information 

Tropical Medicine Booklets (101, and 

202) 

Tropical Medicine Spanish 101 

Tropical Medicine Courses 

The World of Global Health book 

The World of Global Health Video 

Words of Encouragement 

UVM Larner College of Medicine Blog 

Participant Guide in Global Health, 

Thailand 

Cho Ray International Student Handbook 

DRC Facing a New Normal 

Coronavirus 2019 Important clinical 

considerations for Patients & Health 

care Providers 

Interviews 

A Connecticut Doctor in Africa, by 

journalist Mackenzie Riggs 

Majid Sadigh, MD Interview Regarding 

Ebola in Liberia (Video) 

My Heart Burns: Three Words Form a 

Memoir (Video) 

Two UVM Docs Combat Ebola in Liberia 

(Article) 

44

eMagazine May 2023

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?