Educational Partnerships
Our long-standing partnerships with the Medical College of Wisconsin and Global Health Corps are shaping the future of health care in rural Rwanda.
Emily Krueger training Health Builders' staff on Peripheral Arterial Disease
Health Builders exists because quality, reliable health care is not readily available in parts of rural Rwanda. Our commitment to our mission includes ensuring that every bit of progress we make toward our goals is sustainable. Through partnerships with accredited educational organizations, we not only address current challenges but also build up the capability to solve future ones.
Here are a couple recent highlights from our long-standing partnerships with the Medical College of Wisconsin and Global Health Corps.
Innovative Prevention Projects
As a part of our ongoing partnership with the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), Health Builders hosted two students from the end of May through June 2023. Each selected a unique pilot project to be implemented across 15 health facilities in the three districts supported by Health Builders.
PREVENTING AMPUTATIONS THROUGH TRAINING & MENTORING
Emily Krueger’s project focused on screening for Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), which can prevent complications such as amputation when detected early. As a part of the project, Emily trained 5 Health Builders staff and 45 nurses and doctors on the condition. The training included screening using 15 new Doppler ultrasound machines provided by MCW, and the effective management of PAD. This project was done in collaboration with Rwanda Biomedical Center and was the first in Rwanda to document the prevalence of PAD and its risk factors!
(Pictured right: Interns Emily Krueger and Alexa Wild with health care worker at Rwamagana Hospital)
“Thank you to the entire Health Builders team for being incredible hosts and making me feel like part of the team on this project. It was my pleasure to feel so welcome. I look forward to continuing the work!”
RAISING AWARENESS OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH THROUGH STORYTELLING
In Rwanda, despite the socio-economic development, young people still face enormous challenges, including the alarming rise in the rate of adolescent pregnancies. Alexa Wild, another student from the Medical College of Wisconsin, developed a unique digital story project to raise awareness about sexual reproductive health. Through working with youth peer educators, teen mothers, and health care providers, Alexa developed a story that will be used in fundraising and marketing for Health Builders' Adolescent Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights program.
Health Builders staff being trained on PAD by Emily Kruger (MCW Medical Student)
“My experience was nothing short of amazing, heartwarming, and mind opening. I’m so grateful that life led me to this internship experience. There are so many people I want to thank, but the entire staff at Health Builders, the staff at the Health Centers and District Hospitals we visited, the MCW Global Health Equity staff and Thompson family is a good start. I’m beyond excited to continue working on the project & product to support (and hopefully grow) the Youth Corners. After speaking with just three people, it’s already so clear that the Youth Corners have an impact that is quantifiable beyond numbers.”
Specialized Solutions & Emerging Leaders
Since 2010, Health Builders has worked in close partnership with Global Health Corps (GHC), which provides the organization with Fellows from a wide range of backgrounds. The GHC Fellows have experience in measurement and evaluation, general medicine, public health, nursing, software development, and other skills.
Health Builders is currently hosting two Fellows. Frank Mwale is a Software Development Officer who is working to digitize Health Builders’ Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) tool. The other Fellow, Alexandre Dukundane, specializes in Quality Improvement. He is acting as a Clinical Associate, supporting Nyabihu District to strengthen health systems there.
In addition to providing invaluable expertise in specialized areas, our partnership with Global Health Corps has also empowered emerging leaders who are passionate about health, justice, equity, and equality. In fact, a number of Fellows have been invited to stay on as staff after their fellowship year.
Immaculate Kyarisiima
Director of Programs and Development & Global Health Corps Alumnus
“It was a life changing moment for me to join Health Builders through the Global Health Corps fellowship. From providing direct patient care in public health facilities, I was able to navigate the other side of healthcare and I was given an opportunity to contribute but also to learn from the impactful programs at Health Builders, aimed at improving access to quality healthcare for the rural communities in need in Rwanda. Following the one year fellowship, I was retained at Health Builders where I have been given an opportunity to grow, to learn and to emerge into a capable leader.”
Looking ahead to the future means investing in the next generation of leaders, innovators, and dreamers. Health Builders’ partnerships with Medical College of Wisconsin and Global Health Corps make it possible to invite in new perspectives while staying on the cutting edge of health care solutions.
