UNE strengthens partnership in Ghana with hands-on outreach, research and education symposium

When University of New England students, faculty and staff members depart Logan Airport on July 29, 2011 for Ghana, they will embark on much more than a transatlantic health exchange; they will be strengthening an important health, research and academic collaboration between two countries and two universities. 

The Ghana Health Partnership (GHP) was established as a formal program in spring 2010 to improve the health of the people of western Ghana through development and implementation of collaborative research, education and training programs with local and international partners.

Its partners include the University of New England, University of Cape Coast (UCC), Ghana Health Service (GHS), Ghana Health Mission, Inc. (GHM) and the Institute for Public Health and Water Research (IPWR).

The partnership grew out of a long-established health outreach program between UNE's Westbrook College of Health Professions and the U.S.-based Ghana Health Mission, Inc.

Close to 100 students and faculty from across all UNE Colleges have participated in five exchanges since 2008, providing direct care services, community health education and other unique programs in urban and rural communities in the Sekondi/Takoradi regions of western Ghana.

Research

The UNE Center for Community and Public Health (CCPH), which conducts research, demonstration and planning studies throughout the U.S. and abroad, houses the partnership at UNE. The partnership through CCPH submitted three research grants over the past year‚Äîone on chronic disease and two on maternal and child health-system strengthening. 

Interprofessional Participants

The 21 UNE students and faculty participating this summer comprise an interprofessional group of physicians, physician assistants (PA), pharmacists, nurses, physical therapists and dental hygienists, as well as undergraduate medical biology majors. 

Also joining the group is UNE alum Kathleen Keller, PA-C, a 2009 PA graduate who says, "I had the extreme honor of going to Ghana as a PA student, and it continues to shape my daily practice. I am very much looking forward to going again. I found the experience quite humbling and full of valuable learning experiences."

The Ghana Health Service Western Region Director, Dr. Linda Vanotoo, as well as three GHM nurses, a dentist and an ophthalmologist, will join the team in August.  Cataracts, river blindness and trachoma are common eye conditions in the region.

Donated Medical Supplies

UNE volunteers have gathered 225 pounds of medical supplies donated by Portland-based Partners for World Health, which the team will use and distribute at the health mission in Sekondi.

Academic Symposium

In November 2010, leaders from the University of Cape Coast and Ghana Health Partnership traveled to Portland, Maine to participate in Ghana Health Week, a week of informative meetings, presentations, and faculty/student exchanges, combined with cultural events such as African drumming and dancing.

On August 10-11, they are collaborating once again for an academic symposium, but this year will gather in Ghana at the University of Cape Coast’s oceanfront campus.

The 2011 symposium will focus on research and educational strategies that advance the work of the partnership, and the plenary session is entitled, ‚ÄúExcellence in Higher Education Across Borders.‚Äù Additional topics include: 

  • Sustainability of Chronic Disease Practice Innovations in Low Resource Communities
  • Models of Change for Improving Maternal and Child Health in Rural Communities
  • Water and Sanitation ‚Äì Advancing Water Research That Impacts Health Status
  • Sharing Evidence-Based Strategies for the Care of Rheumatologic Disorders
  • Problem-based, Case-based Learning Teaching Methodologies ‚Äì Lessons Learned and Shared from the University of Cape Coast
  • Simulation Strategies to Introduce, Model and Educate Complex Health Situations
  • Collaborative Strategies for Teaching, Implementing and Sustaining Cultural Understanding Within a Cross-Cultural Partnership
  • Student Presentation on the Ghana Health Mission

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.