Medical College of Wisconsin Global Health Efforts in Central America
Rural Primary Care and Resident Global Health Education
In collaboration with the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), Hillside Health Care International, established in 2004, operates as a faith-based facility providing health care to an underserved population. Several MCW staff physicians, nurses, and therapists return annually to provide rotating clinical care. MCW staff physicians also provide on-site global health resident education.
Pediatric Resident Global Health Education
Dr. Kaeppler supports the Pediatric Global Health Track which provides Pediatrics and Medicine/Pediatrics Residents with opportunities to develop and learn global health medicine at home and abroad. The partner in Belize is Hillside Health Care Clinic in Eldridgeville (near Punta Gorda).
Strengthening Emergency Care in Belize
Dr. Zosel is involved in strengthening medical toxicology at Karl Heusner Hospital.
Belize Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medical Services Consultation
Dr. Weston worked with BERT (Belize Emergency Response Team) to enhance their emergency services and with local emergency departments on medical knowledge, system based practice, and leadership skills.
Belize Ministry of Health, Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital-MCW Affiliation Agreement
Dr. Hargarten is the faculty lead for the affiliation agreement between MCW, the Belize Ministry of Health, and Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City, Belize. Signed in 2011, this agreement lays the groundwork for mutually beneficial educational opportunities and research partnerships between faculty, staff, physicians, residents, and students from all partners.
Strengthening Emergency Care in Belize
Dr. Sonnenberg and her team did didactic lectures with the physicians and nurses at Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital to help strengthen emergency care at the tertiary hospitals of Belize. The team also collected data about toxicology cases in Belize to allow toxicologists to provide future guidance on these cases.
M4 Elective in Belize
Dr. Hargarten leads an M4 elective in partnership with Hillside Health Care International. It includes outpatient clinic, mobile clinics into remote Garifuna, Creole, and Mayan villages, home visits, and community education programs.
Strengthening Trauma Care
Dr. Dodgion and Annette Bertelson, in collaboration with Dr. Hargarten and the Department of Emergency Medicine, have collaborated with Karl Heusner Hospital in Belize City to develop a plan to strengthen trauma care including implementing treatment protocols and increase ATLS training opportunities.
Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Non-communicable Diseases in Indigenous Populations
Dr. Egede and his team are focusing on the ways in which the social determinants of health have been shown to have an impact on the prevalence and management of a variety of non-communicable diseases. However, most of the research has been conducted in affluent populations, with very little done specifically in indigenous populations. Social determinants include conditions in which people are born, life, work, play, and age, and can be either protective or detrimental to health. As such, the goal of this project is to understand the role of culture, environment, social determinants, and genetics on the development, management, and care of non-communicable diseases in indigenous populations. This will be accomplished by collecting information from multiple indigenous populations to compare responses with minority groups in the United States, and to help understand the role of migration on health outcomes. Work will be conducted in Central America (Panama, Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Honduras) and East and Central Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda). The long-term goal of this research is to develop lifestyle interventions to improve health outcomes in indigenous populations.
Teletoxicology in Belize
Dr. Stanton is the pharmacy lead for the teletoxicology project in Belize. Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) is the referral hospital for the country of Belize. A collaboration between the KHMH Accident and Emergency (A&E) department and the Wisconsin Poison Center are in development to assist clinicians at KHMH in management of poisonings seen in Belize. KHMH has been collecting baseline data on poisoned patients including, but not limited to, alcohol, pesticides, and allergic reactions. Dr. Stanton's team gave lectures to the A&E and hospital staff on management of paraquat, salicylates, acetaminophen, and a general approach to a toxicology patient. The University of Belize is starting a baccalaureate program in pharmacy and Dr. Stanton's team met with administration from the school to discuss potential future research and education opportunities between KHMH and MCW.
Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Non-communicable Diseases in Indigenous Populations
Dr. Egede and his team are focusing on the ways in which the social determinants of health have been shown to have an impact on the prevalence and management of a variety of non-communicable diseases. However, most of the research has been conducted in affluent populations, with very little done specifically in indigenous populations. Social determinants include conditions in which people are born, life, work, play, and age, and can be either protective or detrimental to health. As such, the goal of this project is to understand the role of culture, environment, social determinants, and genetics on the development, management, and care of non-communicable diseases in indigenous populations. This will be accomplished by collecting information from multiple indigenous populations to compare responses with minority groups in the United States, and to help understand the role of migration on health outcomes. Work will be conducted in Central America (Panama, Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Honduras) and East and Central Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda). The long-term goal of this research is to develop lifestyle interventions to improve health outcomes in indigenous populations.
Medical & Dental Care in Remote Areas
Dr. Virginia Kaperick collaborated with the International NGO to provide pediatric clinic services for “well child visits” and acute medical needs. This was a two one-week trips in February 2020 and February 2023, in two separate locations in remote areas of Guatemala. These locations had limited access to adequate medical and dental care.
Pediatric Bloodstream Infections
Dr. Kelly Graff implemented a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) panel coupled with antimicrobial stewardship in pediatric bloodstream infections in Guatemala.
Cervical Cancer Prevention
Dr. Broekhuizen is a consultant and teacher in partnership with Faith in Practice for cervical cancer prevention.
Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Non-communicable Diseases in Indigenous Populations
Dr. Egede and his team are focusing on the ways in which the social determinants of health have been shown to have an impact on the prevalence and management of a variety of non-communicable diseases. However, most of the research has been conducted in affluent populations, with very little done specifically in indigenous populations. Social determinants include conditions in which people are born, life, work, play, and age, and can be either protective or detrimental to health. As such, the goal of this project is to understand the role of culture, environment, social determinants, and genetics on the development, management, and care of non-communicable diseases in indigenous populations. This will be accomplished by collecting information from multiple indigenous populations to compare responses with minority groups in the United States, and to help understand the role of migration on health outcomes. Work will be conducted in Central America (Panama, Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Honduras) and East and Central Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda). The long-term goal of this research is to develop lifestyle interventions to improve health outcomes in indigenous populations.
MCW M-4 Elective: International Medical and Surgical Care
In this elective the students learn to diagnosis and treat illness and disease in rural clinics and care for patients ranging in age from infants to elderly. While most of the diseases seem ""medical"" some minor surgical procedures are performed as an outpatient in the clinic. Students also have the opportunity to work for a day in a public hospital and are therefore exposed to the health care system in Nicaragua. The NGO partner in Nicaragua and Central America is the Missionary Ventures International (MVI) with headquarters in Orlando, FL.
Adult Urologic Surgery
Dr. Langenstroer evaluates, diagnoses, and surgically treats urology diseases (mostly BPH and stone disease) in Honduras, as well as hosts Honduran urology residents for observerships at Froedtert Hospital.
Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Non-communicable Diseases in Indigenous Populations
Dr. Egede and his team are focusing on the ways in which the social determinants of health have been shown to have an impact on the prevalence and management of a variety of non-communicable diseases. However, most of the research has been conducted in affluent populations, with very little done specifically in indigenous populations. Social determinants include conditions in which people are born, life, work, play, and age, and can be either protective or detrimental to health. As such, the goal of this project is to understand the role of culture, environment, social determinants, and genetics on the development, management, and care of non-communicable diseases in indigenous populations. This will be accomplished by collecting information from multiple indigenous populations to compare responses with minority groups in the United States, and to help understand the role of migration on health outcomes. Work will be conducted in Central America (Panama, Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Honduras) and East and Central Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda). The long-term goal of this research is to develop lifestyle interventions to improve health outcomes in indigenous populations.
Living Hope International (LHI)
Dr. Hong is spearheading a project to provide medical support to a highly at-risk children in Puebla. LHI is established for rescued orphans from abuses such sex trafficking, sex abuse, violence, etc. MCW-PM&R and LHI worked together to purchase a full telemedicine unit which is set up at the Living Hope Clinic.
Outreach Clinics – Gait and Human Motion Analysis
Dr. Harris is the faculty lead for this activity which to date, that has set up 3 outreach labs that are being actively maintained to: a) support better orthopaedic and rehabilitative care of children with orthopaedic disabilities and b) to provide support for collaborative clinical research. Labs have been established at the Club Noel Children's Hospital in Cali, Colombia, Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Manila, and Shriners Hospital for Children in Mexico City. Each lab has a 3D motion analysis system that has been designed and validated for assessment of lower extremity kinematics during gait. This data is used for surgical and rehabilitative planning and follow up. Support for the labs is provided by the Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Engineering Center (OREC) which is part of the new Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering (MU/MCW) and a long-standing collaboration with the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at MCW.
Teaching with Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education
Dr. Raquel Farias-Moeller collaborated with the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM) to provide lectures remote and in person.
Telemedicine extends orphaned patients
Dr. Lee is spearheading a project to provide medical support to a highly at-risk children in Puebla, Mexico. Esperanza Viva Rescue Orphanage: Living Hope International (LHI) is established for rescued orphans from abuses such as sex trafficking, sex abuse, violence, etc. there is a medical clinic that is operated by a RN who is trained in US. The clinic has full primary care set up as well as full dentistry. MCW-PM&R and LHI have worked together to purchase a full telemedicine unit it is now set up at the Living Hope Clinic.
Faculty and M4 elective involved in Nicaragua Mission
Dr. Hackbarth is the faculty lead for M4 elective where students learn to diagnosis and treat illness and disease in rural clinics and care for patients ranging in age from infants to elderly. Students have the opportunity to work for a day in a public hospital and are therefore exposed to the health care system in Nicaragua. The NGO partner in Nicaragua and Central America is the Missionary Ventures International (MVI). Drs. VanValin, LoGuidice, Nelson-Freund, Kraus are involved in the Nicaragua mission.
Clinical Care in Rural Nicaragua
Annually and in collaboration with Nicaraguan physicians and their Ministry of Health officials, Dr. Tassone provides orthopedic surgery consultations and clinical care to children in rural areas of the country. He travels with a multidisciplinary team including nursing.
Nicaragua Bridges to Community
Dr. Meurer is a member of the group International Bridges to Communities in which every even year the Unitarian Universalist Church West in Brookfield, WI arranges 2 brigades of church members and others to visit Nicaragua and build houses for local farming families for 1 week. There are opportunities for health care service too.
Global Medical Brigades
Dr. Bear prepares Marquette University undergraduate students for a medical/public health mission trip to Nicaragua during the fall semester. She also participates in a week-long medical/public health trip in January.
Orthopaedic Surgery
Dr. Schwab works with local orthopaedists to evaluate and treat children with special needs and adults with treatable orthopaedic needs.
Universidad Nacional Nicaragua-MCW Institutional Affiliation Agreement
Dr. Schwab is the faculty lead for the institutional affiliation agreement between MCW and the Universidad Nacional Nicaragua in Managua, Nicaragua. Signed in 2012, this agreement lays the groundwork for mutually beneficial educational opportunities and research partnerships between faculty, residents, and students from both institutions.
Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Non-communicable Diseases in Indigenous Populations
Dr. Egede and his team are focusing on the ways in which the social determinants of health have been shown to have an impact on the prevalence and management of a variety of non-communicable diseases. However, most of the research has been conducted in affluent populations, with very little done specifically in indigenous populations. Social determinants include conditions in which people are born, life, work, play, and age, and can be either protective or detrimental to health. As such, the goal of this project is to understand the role of culture, environment, social determinants, and genetics on the development, management, and care of non-communicable diseases in indigenous populations. This will be accomplished by collecting information from multiple indigenous populations to compare responses with minority groups in the United States, and to help understand the role of migration on health outcomes. Work will be conducted in Central America (Panama, Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Honduras) and East and Central Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda). The long-term goal of this research is to develop lifestyle interventions to improve health outcomes in indigenous populations.
Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Non-communicable Diseases in Indigenous Populations
Dr. Egede and his team are focusing on the ways in which the social determinants of health have been shown to have an impact on the prevalence and management of a variety of non-communicable diseases. However, most of the research has been conducted in affluent populations, with very little done specifically in indigenous populations. Social determinants include conditions in which people are born, life, work, play, and age, and can be either protective or detrimental to health. As such, the goal of this project is to understand the role of culture, environment, social determinants, and genetics on the development, management, and care of non-communicable diseases in indigenous populations. This will be accomplished by collecting information from multiple indigenous populations to compare responses with minority groups in the United States, and to help understand the role of migration on health outcomes. Work will be conducted in Central America (Panama, Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Honduras) and East and Central Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda). The long-term goal of this research is to develop lifestyle interventions to improve health outcomes in indigenous populations.