60% more Africans die from cancer than from malaria, and this number of deaths is expected to increase almost 70% by 2030. To combat these alarming statistics, the Rwandan Ministry of Health is prioritizing timely access to cancer diagnosis and treatment for the people of Rwanda no matter where they live. In 2019, Wang and his colleagues, along with BIO Ventures for Global Health, focused on improving the country’s cancer patient referral system by establishing an inter-hospital communication system and supporting Rwanda’s Biomedical Center’s (RBC’s) implementation of the Rwanda Cancer Strategy.

“This experience not only expanded my knowledge beyond my role in IT, it improved my understanding of oncology and taught me how to work in a different cultural environment. Although, the theory is sometimes easier than the reality. It’s the end goal of improving cancer care for patients in Rwanda that motivated us every day.”
— Nan Wang

“The fellowship program was a life-changing opportunity that allowed me to immerse myself in a multicultural health-care project. With our hands, hearts and minds, through our talent and skills, in collaboration with non-governmental organizations, we were able to make a difference for communities in need. In addition, this valuable program gives us the opportunity to expand our perspectives and gain a better understanding of health care challenges, so we can inspire others and continue looking for new ways to positively impact those we serve – the patients.”
— Juliana Soto

“Professionally, the Fellowship provided me with improved confidence in my own abilities. I realized how much my expertise in planning and scoping complex work as well as my communications skills were valued by my NGO partner. More broadly, it became clear to me as I looked closely at the communities the NGO serves, that regardless of geography, the health issues are often the same. It’s just the packaging that’s different. Curious empathy goes a long way toward understanding other cultures. It allows you to begin to see analogies and respect how others live.”
— Kindra Helderle

Studies show that nearly 40% of African children under the age of five are malnourished. Working with PanAfricare, Martinez Olivares and his teammate assessed the effectiveness of interventions implemented in Senegal to fight acute malnutrition in children under the age of five, babies who are breastfeeding and pregnant women. Martinez Olivares and his team supported PanAfricare in assessing their health service to identify areas of improvement and roadblocks that prevent children and women from having access to such interventions.

“I had wanted to join the Fellowship since I first heard about it many years ago, but being a father of 2 little boys, I just couldn’t afford to be away from home for three full months. The virtual format in 2021 opened the possibility for me to finally participate in the global fellowship. This unique opportunity to help women and children in Senegal was extremely humbling and rewarding.”
— Cristian Martinez Olivares

1 in 15 South Africans are affected by a rare disease. Makhene and her team — in partnership with Rare Diseases South Africa (RDSA) — worked to develop a comprehensive patient registry software system that will support each step of the patient experience from enrollment to monitoring of patterns. This will help provide effective data analysis functionality for identifying treatment patterns, promoting feasible-disease specific data interrogation and inform future research and advocacy programs.

“This experience challenged the way I think and utilize my medical skills and knowledge. I learned how to integrate medicine, IT and data. The virtual environment pushed me to become an even more dependable team player. I learned to be more proactive, creative and a better communicator. Seeing the project come to life was very exciting and it is so motivating to know that our project makes a difference in the lives of those impacted by rare conditions.”
— Mmamotsa Makhene

“The opportunity to participate in the fellowship — to do good for others and grow at the same time — was like nothing else I’ve ever done.  This program provides an experience to engage with new cultures, visions and perspectives. As an alumnus of the program and mentor to fellows, I take pride in the way the fellowship strengthens participants as leaders and makes a lasting impact in communities around the world. It is something each of us will remember forever.
— Wilson Beltran

“My fellowship experience has been pivotal in more ways that I knew possible, both personally and for the organization I supported. Having the NGO I worked with reach out years after to proudly share how they are taking the foundation we laid to make incremental changes to their organization is very satisfying and shows how the fellowship transcends time and has a lasting impact. The fellowship ignited a desire in me to openly seek out opportunities to support and lead in unconventional ways and to continuously engage at a personal level in order to affect change within communities.”
— Angèle Bell