Education and Training Updates | March 2016
HCP continues to work with our local partners to expand opportunities for training and education, both internationally and domestically. Updates from Ethiopia and Ghana can be found below.
Dr. Dawit Gidey from Arba Minch General Hospital in southern Ethiopia is currently completing the first part of his cornea fellowship at Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology. When he finishes, he will be the only cornea surgeon in the region. Dr. Mandefro Sinteyahu from Bisidimo Hospital is also completing a 3 month pediatric subspecialty fellowship at Tilganga. As one of only 2 ophthalmologists in his region, he will be better able to provide much needed pediatric services in Eastern Ethiopia. Two nurses from Bisidimo Hospital, Munira Mohammed and Marta Yeshitela, also completed advanced surgical training in Nepal.
Dr. Tesfalem Hagos, a fourth year resident from Gondar University, was the first resident to participate in the new exchange program with Assaf HaRofeh Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel. Dr. Tesfalem spent 1 month in Israel observing with the retina department and working with local residents.
Another major component of HCP’s training program is ongoing mentorship with fellows once they have completed their formal training. Dr. Michael Richards (Duke University) returned to Ethiopia to work with Dr. Meseret Ejigu at Menelik II Hospital on advance oculoplastics procedures. During his 1 week, Dr. Meseret and Dr. Richards performed 17 surgeries over 5 days, most of the cases were majorly or uniquely complicated. Dr. Meseret is one of only a handful of oculoplastics subspecialists in Ethiopia, and has previously worked with Dr. Richards both in Ethiopia and in the United States.
Dr. Michael Brush (Group Health Permanente, Seattle, WA) returned to Ethiopia to teach a hands-on phacoemulsification surgical workshop at Jimma University. Dr. Brush worked with Drs. Sisay Bekele, Jafer Ababora, and Tsedeke Asaminew as well as several ophthalmology residents to learn this advanced cataract technique. Over 25 phacoemulsification surgeries were completed during the training workshop.
Dr. Scott Lawrence (Sight for Souls) also worked with Jimma University to conduct a hands-on Glaucoma surgical workshop. Working with several of Jimma’s ophthalmologists and residents, Dr. Lawrence has been teaching how implement minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS). The team completed over 6 MIGS during the week-long training.
HCP co-founder, Dr. Geoff Tabin also completed a week-long cornea and anterior segment training at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana. Dr. Tabin worked with Dr. Seth Lartey, KATH’s only cornea specialist, and also with the ophthalmology residents.
