Global Health

Written by Matthew LeComte ’16
I heard a short lecture on a non-profit organization called Imaging the World (ITW), which is based at UVM. Dr. Kristen DeStigter, co-founder of the organization and interim chair of the Department of Radiology, outlined the organization’s mission: to provide access to high-quality ultrasound imaging in remote and underserved areas. In fact, they have been providing obstetrical imaging in parts of Uganda since 2012. But, how? Using low-cost, compact, rugged, portable ultrasound devices and existing cellular/internet connectivity, images are acquired in these remote or underserved areas and the data compressed and sent wirelessly to trained personnel in the U.S., who then interpret the images and communicate findings back to the field.

Written by Shannon Brady ’18
My first year of medical school ended on a Friday, and by Saturday I was on a plane flying over 7,000 miles across the world. After a year of feeling mentally drained from studying and the constant flood of e-mails and appointment reminders that comes with medical school, I was entering a month of virtually no electricity, running water or connection to the outside world. I was on my way to meet meet up with my cohort of around 35 medical students (including a nursing student and occupational therapy student) and six attending physicians in Chandigarh, India, for a Spiti Valley, Himalayan Health Exchange (HHE) expedition.

Written by Cordelia Ross ’16
I recently returned from a two-week trip to Guatemala where I, along with several UVM attendings and residents in pediatrics, anesthesia, ENT, and plastic surgery participated in a medical-surgical mission experience. In Nuevo Progreso, a small town approximately five hours from Guatemala City, our team of 50+ physicians, nurses, and trainees assisted in performing general, ophthalmologic, gynecologic, and plastic surgeries for one week.