Message from the Executive Director

Twenty years ago this month, I left Chicago to begin a new chapter at MUSC. Coming from a city shaped by diverse neighborhoods and cultures, I wondered what I would find in Charleston. I was delighted to discover a vibrant global community that has grown far beyond what I could have imagined.

Today, MUSC’s international community represents more than 60 countries, bringing new perspectives to our classrooms, advancing scientific discovery and providing critical care across South Carolina. Our students and faculty also extend MUSC’s impact around the world through research, education and lasting partnerships.

The world continues to change, sometimes in ways that feel uncertain. Yet I remain inspired by the passion, generosity and commitment of our people. Reflecting on the Center’s beginnings 14 years ago, I am reminded that our greatest impact has always come from the relationships and shared sense of purpose that connect us across borders.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Ellis

Executive Director ‌

MUSC Center for Global Health

Top Story

Building a sustainable defense against antimicrobial resistance in Tanzania

MUSC residents, faculty, and pharmacist in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Submitted photo

By Adam Wise

Antimicrobial resistance is a global healthcare challenge, but its consequences are particularly significant for health systems working with limited resources. As bacteria and other microorganisms become resistant to the medications used to treat infections, clinicians can face fewer effective treatment options, creating additional burdens for patients and health systems worldwide.

For Krutika Hornback, PharmD, the challenge has also been shaped by personal experience. Born and raised in India, Hornback has long been interested in global health and the ways differences in resources and health care infrastructure affect patients and clinicians.

Now, as infectious diseases and antimicrobial stewardship clinical pharmacy specialist at MUSC Health and as an affiliate assistant professor in the MUSC College of Pharmacy and an, Hornback is putting that perspective into practice through a collaboration with Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

A photo of Michaela Close, M.D., and colleagues during a global health project in San Salvador.

Student and Trainee Travel Grant Applications Due Friday

Applications for Center for Global Health Student and Trainee Travel Grants are due this week!

Annually, CGH offers opportunities for international travel grants in low and middle-income countries of up to $2,000 each to MUSC students and resident trainees. The goal of each award is to assist recipients in furthering global health research or training projects in low- or middle-income countries. Travel awards cannot be used to support conference attendance.

Deadline to Apply: Oct. 9, 2026, at 5 p.m.
Earliest Notice of Award: Nov. 6, 2026

MUSC Faculty Can Now Apply for Global Health Mentor Travel Grants

The MUSC Center for Global Health offers international travel grants of up to $2,000 each to MUSC faculty leading groups of MUSC students to low- and middle-income countries for education, research, or service-learning programs. Funds must be used within 12 months from the date of the award. The goal of the awards is to assist recipients in providing mentorship to students in furthering global health research or training projects in low- and middle-income countries.

Deadline to Apply: Oct. 30, 2026, at 5 p.m.
Earliest Notice of Award: Nov. 6, 2026

The Post and Courier: MUSC students, professors work to close access gap to wheelchairs in Uganda

CHARLESTON — A small group of pediatric physical therapists has been slowly making a difference overseas in improving access to wheelchairs and mobility devices in Uganda.

Dubbed the Ugandan Wheelchair Project, the group from the Medical University of South Carolina have provided about 400 wheelchairs to children and adults in recent years.

Student Activities Fair

Thank you to all of the students who visited the CGH booth at the student activities fair in September!

Other Upcoming Opportunities

Charleston Asian Food Festival

Student Mom Wellness Group

CUGH Virtual Global Health Week 2026

October 27–29, 2026

Virtual Global Health Week is CUGH's annual series of interactive online sessions, bringing together leading voices and thinkers to address today's urgent global health challenges. More than a dozen sessions, held over three days are free, open to the public, and will inspire conversation, debate, and practical solutions for this moment in global public health.

Sessions will tackle AI governance in global health; lessons in pandemic preparedness from experts in the Ebola response; the future of health financing, including what countries are learning as they navigate new arrangements with the U.S. government; leadership and equity in global public health; challenges for today’s health workforce; the role of academia in shaping the future of the field; and leveraging communications strategies to translate science and research into action.

Newsletter Submissions

Do you have a MUSC global health news item to share that you'd like to include in a future edition of this newsletter? Please email your submissions to global-health@musc.edu.

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