Here are your June community updates:
- Upcoming Events
- Funding Opportunities
- Employment Opportunities / Fellowships
- Recent Publications
- Global Health Community Highlights
- Opportunities to Engage
If you have an item to include in a future newsletter, let us know! Please write to us at cghadmin@mgh.harvard.edu.
Upcoming Events
How to support the Uganda Color Run for Pediatric Cancer
The Uganda Color Run returns on August 3, 2024, in Mbarara, UG.
The Color Run for Pediatric Cancer is open to participants of all ages and abilities and typically draws over 1,000 runners and brings together numerous organizers, volunteers, health providers and community members alongside Hospital leadership and other VIPs who attend. The event is an opportunity to communicate about cancer detection, treatment and care in a positive and inclusive setting; print, TV, radio and social media coverage of the Color Run helps to spread this information to a broader community beyond participants.
The MGH Center for Global Health is proud to partner with our colleagues at MRRH to raise critical funds to advance and support pediatric cancer care in Uganda. Funds raised will be used for essential services and treatment-related expenses such as medicines, food, palliative care, and other gaps in patient care.
All donations will be matched by supporters of the MGH Center for Global Health.
A Partnership for a Shared Vision of Equity in Global Health
Friday, July 26, 2024
9 – 9:45 a.m. Eastern Time
Zoom (registration required)
Dr. Jessica Haberer, MD, MS , of Harvard Medical School and Professor Yap Boum II of the Institute Pasteur of Bangui will discuss their decade-long collaboration promoting global health equity through advocacy, mentorship, and empowering communities. They will present their new project, “The Village”, an AI digital platform connecting researchers, clinicians, and institutions worldwide without barriers. By facilitating cross-border connections, The Village aims to decolonize global health by giving communities access to diverse resources and empowerment to develop innovative, locally led solutions. Drs.
Haberer and Boum will reflect on the lessons learned from their long-standing partnership, including the key strategies and approaches that helped them to collaborate effectively and overcome challenges together. Dr. Louise C. Ivers will moderate the conversation.
This event is free and open to the public.
There will be no Global Health Grand Rounds in August. They will resume in September. In the meantime, you can view all past MGB Grand Rounds on Vitals as well as see a calendar of upcoming sessions.
Funding Opportunities
- Fostering Diversity in HIV Research Program – Trainees can apply by October 1, 2024 – Racial and ethnic diversity among HIV researchers is at a low and undesirable level. The Fostering Diversity in HIV Research Program is supported by the National Institutes of Health (R25MH119857) and designed to help overcome some of the barriers underrepresented in medicine/public health (URiM) trainees face, thus advancing their careers and enriching scientific discovery. The program provides structured mentoring to create a welcoming environment for URM trainees that promotes rigorous research. It involves formal didactics and community of practice events over the course of one year, as well as high quality mentoring tailored to each individual trainee and their stage of training. Up to $10,000 in funding is available to support research, as well as enable conference attendance, travel (if needed and possible), and open-access manuscript publication. Please see the program flier here. The program begins November 1, 2024. For more information, contact Jessica Haberer at jhaberer@mgh.harvard.edu or Lindsey Garrison at legarrison@mgh.harvard.edu.
- Identifying external funding opportunities with PIVOT – PIVOT is a library database that indexes funding announcements from government agencies, private foundations and nonprofits, and international sponsors. It contains information from disciplines including (but not limited to) medicine, the physical and social sciences, as well as engineering. For more information and to create your PIVOT account today, see this doc. An in-depth presentation is also available here. Amy Robb, Associate Director of Prospective Research and Funding Opportunities, Corporate and Foundation Relations in the MGH Development Office, is the facilitator of the PIVOT database.
- MGH Global Health Community Engagement Awards – These awards aim to improve health equity and support community-based projects, humanitarian opportunities and requests for specialized assistance from NGOs. MGH staff and faculty are eligible for the awards, and their collaborators from partner institutions are also eligible. So… do you have a community partner with whom you collaborate? This award funding could be quite strategically helpful to them. Learn more at the link above.
- MGH Center for Global Health Finish Line Grant (GHFLG) – Do you have a project that’s near completion? Do you need just a little more support to finish it? This grant program aims to serve as a catalyst for the completion of projects – as well as a way to support mentorship between MGH Global Health faculty and junior investigators and trainees. GHFLG awards can range from $500-$2,500 per award each year. They can be used to pay for protected time, childcare costs and more. See this document for more information and how to apply. Contact Lindsey Garrison at legarrison@mgh.harvard.edu with questions.
Employment Opportunities / Fellowships
- Global Non-Communicable Diseases Research Training Program (T32) – The GNCDRT, led by Jessica Haberer, MD, MS, brings together faculty from the MGH Divisions of Cardiology, Endocrinology, Pulmonology, and Hematology, to offer a formal research training program for global NCDs. Our goal is to help launch the research careers of early-stage investigators. This program provides a dedicated career development mentor and a research mentor for each trainee, didactic seminars, research training through coursework at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and a community of practice within the program and with other global health fellows. Training emphasizes the role of allyship and equity in global health research. Funding is for up to two years and awards cover salary, travel to professional meetings, some tuition costs, and other training-related expenses. See the program flier here. Applications accepted by December 13, 2024. Please reach out to the T32 Program Manager Lindsey Garrison with questions at legarrison@mgh.harvard.edu.
- AmeriCorps members – Immigrant Health / Asylum Clinic (Chelsea, MA) – Massachusetts General Hospital is recruiting AmeriCorps members for the MGH Center for Immigrant Health and the MGH Asylum Clinic. See the job description on LinkedIn.
CGH is hiring!
Recent Publications
Here is a selection of our community’s recent publications, alphabetized by first author. To share your published work in the next newsletter, please email cghadmin@mgh.harvard.edu.
- Castle, Alison C., Yumna Moosa, Helgard Claassen, Sheela Shenoi, Itai Magodoro, Jennifer Manne-Goehler, Willem Hanekom, Ingrid V. Bassett, Emily B. Wong, and Mark J. Siedner. “Prior Tuberculosis, Radiographic Lung Abnormalities and Prevalent Diabetes in Rural South Africa.” BMC Infectious Diseases 24, no. 1 (July 11, 2024): 690. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-024-09583-8 .
- Chac, Denise, Damien M. Slater, Yodeline Guillaume, Chelsea N. Dunmire, Ralph Ternier, Kenia Vissières, Stanley Juin, et al. “Association between Chlorine-Treated Drinking Water, the Gut Microbiome, and Enteric Pathogen Burden in Young Children in Haiti: An Observational Study.” International Journal of Infectious Diseases, July 6, 2024, 107165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107165.
- Gingaras, Cosmina, and Elizabeth Collins. “Combating Antimicrobial Resistance through Vaccines in Children from Low- and Middle-Income Countries—a Call for Research.” Journal of Tropical Pediatrics 70, no. 3 (June 1, 2024):
fmae009. https://doi.org/10.1093/tropej/fmae009. - Matthews, Lynn T., Manjeetha Jaggernath, Yolandie Kriel, Patricia M. Smith, Jessica E. Haberer, Jared M. Baeten, Craig W. Hendrix, et al. “Oral Preexposure Prophylaxis Uptake, Adherence, and Persistence during Periconception Periods among Women in South Africa.” AIDS 38, no. 9 (July 15, 2024): 1342. https://doi.org/10.1097/QAD.0000000000003925.
- Migisha, Richard, Geoffrey Chen, Winnie R. Muyindike, Taing Nandi Aung, Victoria Nanfuka, Nimusiima Komukama, Nomathemba Chandiwana, et al. “Regional Variation in Weight Change after the Transition to Dolutegravir in Uganda and South Africa.” AIDS 38, no. 9 (July 15, 2024): 1314. https://doi.org/10.1097/QAD.0000000000003888.
- Ngonzi, Joseph, Brenda Ainomugisha, Onesmus Byamukama, Wilson Tumuhimbise, Josephine Asiimwe, Arnold Kamugisha, Moses Ntaro, Grace Nambozi, and Lisa Bebell. “Transition to Motherhood and Lived Experiences of Teenage Mothers Delivering in Kasese and Bundibugyo Districts, Western Uganda.” Cureus 16, no. 7 (n.d.): e63985. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.63985.
- Perkins, Jessica M., Bernard Kakuhikire, Charles Baguma, Meredith Meadows, Raphael Abayateye, Justin D. Rasmussen, Emily N. Satinsky, et al. “Water Treatment Practices and Misperceived Social Norms among Women Living with Young Children in Rural Uganda.” The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, July 9, 2024, tpmd230723. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.23-0723.
Global Health Community Highlights
Nurse leadership training with Ugandan partners wraps up
TOP ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: Hanifah Nantongo, Raymond Tumwesigye, Jannat Kasozi, Rhina Mushagara; BOTTOM ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT:
Annet Kembabazi, Mary Sebert
For the fourth time, the Center for Global Health Nursing Program had the pleasure of hosting our Ugandan partners from MUST and MRRH for a 10- day leadership training. This year, we welcomed three nurse faculty members and two Global Health Collaborative (GHC) members.
The training program included both didactic sessions and clinical observations at MGH. Raymond Tumwesigye observed MGH nurses for two days in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and spent one day in the medical unit. Dr. Jannat Kasozi, PhD, focused on observing nurses in the mental health program, while Hanifah Nantongo learned about policies and practices from the Infection Control Team. To further develop leadership skills in Uganda, Annet Kembabazi, MSC , from GHC and Hanifah Nantongo from MUST participated as trainers for the program.
On their first day, the team visited the MGH Institute of Health Professions (IHP) IMPACT Practice Center, which brings together students from various health professions to learn, practice in interprofessional teams, and deliver essential free care to the community. They also attended two educational sessions for students in the advanced nursing program.
Additionally, during the Global Health Community Meeting on July 23, Dr. Kasozi presented her research on HIV and mental health, having recently earned her PhD from MUST.
During their summertime visit, the team enjoyed whale watching in the Boston area, where they saw many whales and white sharks. They also attended a lovely BBQ with lawn games hosted by CGH Administrative Director Kate Bell, MPH, and her family.
Dr. Elizabeth Collins served as Visiting Faculty at UGHE
In February and March, Dr. Elizabeth Collins, MD, MPH, DTM, a Pediatric Hospitalist from Mass General Brigham, visited the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) in Rwanda to teach along with physicians Dr. Dana Hassneiah, Dr Gordon Green, and Dr. Lisa Schwartz in the Introduction to the Practice of Medicine Course and participate in the White Coat Ceremony for the MBBS Class of 2028. While working there in the hospital, they happened upon the team of American mosaic artist Laurel True, who was creating a breathtakingly beautiful and gigantic kapok tree mural with local mosaic artists, in honor of the late Dr. Paul Farmer .
Dr. Collins said, “as our group of UGHE Visiting Faculty visited the beautifully designed hospital, we noticed that the hospital spaces lacked any toys or colorful decorations for the children. We physicians then wondered how we could change that. Meeting Laurel gave us our answer: adding mosaic art to the children’s areas!”.
Dr. Collins then commissioned mosaic works of art in the Pediatric Oncology Ward, Pediatric Ward, and adjacent hallway and patio areas, with pieces featuring the beautiful lilies of Rwanda, many (white, orange, yellow, and red) that can be seen throughout the hospital and UGHE campuses and along the streets, sidewalks, and fields of the country.
She returned to UGHE in June to teach the Sr. Pediatrics Clerkship and host a drawing session for the pediatric patients at Butaro District Hospital.
PHOTOS: MBBS Class of 2028 classmates under the Kapok Tree after their first IPM pediatric physical exams; pediatric patients draw and color flowers to inspire the mosaic murals for the Pediatric Wards of Butaro District Hospital; a day lily on the UGHE campus; the MBBS Class of 2028 with new white coats and stethoscopes pose in front of a bed of lilies before heading to Butaro District Hospital to perform physical exams.
Hannah Delorey to transition to new role within MGB
After almost 2 years as a Project Coordinator with the MGH Center for Global Health, Hannah Delorey, MPH, will be transitioning to a Project Specialist role with the Ambulatory and Quality Safety Team at Mass General Brigham. Hannah’s last day at CGH is Friday, August 9th.
Hannah successfully planned all of the Center’s events, managed CGH awards, supported onboarding processes, and provided comprehensive administrative support to all CGH faculty and staff.
CGH is currently hiring for a new Project Coordinator. For a job description and to apply, please see this link .
CGH Communications Coordinator Jacki Huntington to leave role
After more than a year working part-time for the Center for Global Health, Jacki Huntington, MS , will be leaving the Communications Coordinator role in mid-August. Her last day at CGH is August 16th. She has enjoyed getting to know the global health community. She leaves after having launched this very newsletter and the “CGH in a Minute” video, helping implement new MGB brand guidelines across CGH communications, and maintaining and experimenting with the Center’s social media strategy. Apart from CGH, she is building an international storytelling studio called
Strange Luck and is in production on her first feature-length film as a director – a hybrid documentary about aging and femininity as told through hand model Adele Uddo’s life story.
CGH is currently hiring for a new Communications Coordinator through Bulfinch Temp Hiring Services. For a job description and to apply, please see this link .
Opportunities to Engage
Mentoring the Mentors Workshop
October 28th and 29th, 2024
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Eastern Time
Registration required
The 2-day in person workshop features didactic and interactive sessions on practical tips for mentoring, including sessions on the meaning of mentorship, leadership styles, emotional intelligence, distance mentoring, team-based mentoring, individual development plans, funding sources for mentoring efforts, time management, and teaching work-life balance to mentees. The workshop also features approaches to overcome barriers related to being an early career investigator from an underrepresented medicine background (e.g. microaggressions and unconscious bias) and how to be anti-racist as a mentor.
Eligibility:
Investigators who are currently mentoring early career researchers are eligible. There is a focus on HIV researchers, but all are welcome. Institutional affiliation does not need to be within the Harvard system. Limited funding is available for domestic travel support for the meeting.
Please contact Lindsey Garrison for more information: legarrison@mgh.harvard.edu
- Mass General’s Hispanic Psychiatry Clinic is continuing to grow. They are accepting referrals for monolingual Spanish-speaking patients who receive primary specialty care at MGH. PCPs can refer patients for psychopharmacology services via the PTIS Epic referral, or contact the clinic at 617-643-7998.
- We are building a global health library in our office. Feel free to stop by, check out a book and please add books to the list here.Some suggested topics to get you thinking include: diversity, equity and inclusion, global health, leadership and decolonizing global health. We’re excited to see your picks!
- Do you have Boston area accommodations (a guest room, perhaps) that you can offer to our international collaborators traveling to Boston for short-term stays? If you’re able to host, please complete this REDcap survey.
- Interested in becoming a Global Health Affiliate or Associate? Learn more here.
Do you engage in global health work or want to find ways to get involved?
Complete the MGH Global Health Annual Survey today!
Click here or on the QR code to complete the REDcap survey.
Keep in Touch!
All past issues of this monthly newsletter are available on our website. Just click here, or on “Stories” under “NEWS & EVENTS” on the Center for Global Health website.
If you want to include a news item, opportunity or anything else in a future monthly newsletter, you can reach us at cghadmin@mgh.harvard.edu.
