Welcome to the UCSF Center for Global Nursing (and Advanced Practice)

at the Institute for Global Health Sciences.



In this newsletter, you can expect to find opportunities, events, and other information about UCSF nurses, advanced practice providers, and our global partners working toward global health solutions.

Wishing our CGN community a happy and healthy holiday season! We are deeply grateful to our community, each of our members, and our global partners. We look forward to fostering even stronger collaborations with each of you in 2026!

Our incredible team of diverse and accomplished faculty bring unmatched expertise in global nursing and advanced practice. We are honored to showcase their work and leadership as they help shape the future of nursing worldwide.

Registration is now open for

CGN's 2026 Clinical Global Scholars Program

April 20 – May 1, 2025 (on-site dates in Kenya; does not include travel dates)

The CGN Clinical Global Scholars Program offers nurses, nurse leaders, and Advanced Practice Providers an immersive global learning experience through CGN's longstanding partnership with nursing teams in Eldoret, Kenya. The program includes a two-week immersion program that pairs each UCSF Scholar with a nurse collaborator in Kenya, creating a meaningful opportunity for bedside learning, clinical exchange, leadership development, and shared quality-improvement work rooted in social justice, ethical global engagement, cultural humility, and bidirectional partnership.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Last applications accepted January 1st or when the program is full.

These photos offer a glimpse of the April 2025 trip to Kenya and the strong partnerships that continue to grow through this program.

On November 12, the Center for Global Nursing hosted an exciting Lunch and Learn with Dr. Edna Tallam-Kimaiyo. PhD, RN, MPH, CGNC. 

Joined by faculty, staff, students, and global health leaders, Dr. Tallam-Kimaiyo delivered an engaging and insightful presentation on Nursing Leadership in Global Health. She shared insights from her extensive experience as a nurse leader and educator, highlighting the pivotal role nurses play in advancing health outcomes and shaping health policy at both national and global levels.

Dr. Edna Tallam-Kimaiyo’s presentation offered a comprehensive overview of Kenya’s nursing workforce, underscoring the country’s significant progress in strengthening nursing education, enhancing clinical practice, and expanding pathways for global nursing leadership. She highlighted the importance of investing in advanced practice nursing to build a more resilient and skilled nursing workforce capable of improving patient outcomes and strengthening health system efficiency. Her remarks encouraged colleagues to reflect on how global partnerships can enhance professional development and elevate the voices of nurses in global health decision-making.

The session concluded with an engaging discussion on the future of global nursing leadership, offering attendees practical insights and actionable strategies to advance nursing practice and influence health systems worldwide.

On Thursday, November 13, the UCSF Institute for Global Health Sciences (IGHS) celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a day of thought-provoking reflection, shared learning, and inspiration with a diverse array of esteemed global health leaders, as we advance global health sciences and create a healthier and more equitable world. The celebration honored the Institute's longstanding collaborations with partners from more than 80 countries, deans from all four UCSF schools, innovative researchers, passionate health professionals, and dedicated global health professionals and changemakers across disciplines.

The UCSF Center for Global Nursing (CGN) was proud to welcome Dr. Edna Tallam-Kimaiyo, PhD, MPH, RN, Head of Community Health at AMREF International University, CGN’s Global Nursing Advisory Council Member, and Faculty Leader for the UCSF Certificate in Global Nursing Program, for the celebration. She participated in a distinguished panel alongside leaders from Malawi, Mexico, India, the United States, and Kenya, moderated by Dr. Address Malata, FAAN, PhD, MSc, Vice Chancellor of the Malawi University of Science and Technology and the 2024–2025 UCSF Presidential Chair. The panel reflected on key messages that resonated and explored strategies for advancing global health.

Dr. Tallam-Kimaiyo emphasized the importance of amplifying the voices of nurses, fostering meaningful partnerships, promoting community ownership, and advocating for increased resources to enhance health systems. She also emphasized the importance of collaboratively building national systems, understanding local and regional political contexts and landscapes, utilizing available resources, and ensuring that community voices inform decision-making. Her message highlighted that the future of global health is promising when we act now, collectively and intentionally.

The Center for Global Nursing hosted an informational booth featuring hands-on demonstrations of the World Health Organization’s Emergency and Critical Care skills. Participants practiced essential life-saving techniques, including bag-valve-mask ventilation and the safe and effective use of oxygen systems and bubble CPAP for infants. Led by CGN members Michele Mullin and Kim Branciforte, the interactive station equipped healthcare professionals with practical, evidence-based skills and underscored the importance of accessible clinical education in strengthening global health capacity.

Dr. Corey Bills, MD, University of Colorado, and Dr. Rebecca Silvers, DNP, APN, CPNP, Director of the UCSF Center for Global Nursing (CGN), delivered the keynote address at the fourth annual UCSF Building a Career in Global Health Conference about their primary care to intensive hospital setting collaborations as leaders of the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centres on Emergency, Critical, and Operative Care. This enriching two-day event on November 7 and 8 offered a series of lectures, interactive workshops, and meaningful cross-disciplinary networking opportunities for participants to explore actionable strategies for achieving success in domestic and international global health settings

In addition, Dr. Edna Tallam-Kimaiyo, PhD, RN, MPH, CGNC, contributed her insights on global health career pathways and the evolving landscape of global health in a panel discussion led by Dr. Address Mauakowa Malata, FAAN, PhD, MSc. The panel discussions shared lessons learned and empowered attendees to build impactful, equity-driven careers in global health.

CGN Director, Dr. Rebecca Silvers visited partners at Lao Friends Hospital for Children in November to launch our new American Academy of Pediatrics' ICATCH Grant (2025–2028) with Principal Investigator, Emergency Nurse Leader, and CGN Global Advisory Member, Maly Chittaphai.

This three-year project enhances the identification and stabilization of critically ill children at the only pediatric referral hospital in northern Laos, serving over 45,000 children annually.

This work builds on a decade of partnership with LFHC and reflects CGN’s commitment to advancing nursing leadership, health equity, and high-quality emergency care for children across northern Laos.

UCSF Center for Global Nursing Member, Travel Awardee, and Lead Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and Transitional Care Unit at UCSF Benioff Children's West Bay Hospital, Melissa Lincks, MS, PNP-AC, co-led a multidisciplinary simulation training for nurses and physicians serving patients at Mulago National Referral Hospital’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Kampala, Uganda. The multidisciplinary simulation facilitated interprofessional collaboration and strengthened pediatric emergency, critical, and operative care, clinical skills, thereby enhancing health for the region’s most vulnerable children. 

While in Uganda, Melissa Lincks, MS, PNP-AC, also joined an inspiring cohort of more than 50 surgical and anaesthesia fellows, faculty, and collaborators from eight countries for the UCSF Center for Health Equity in Surgery and Anesthesia (CHESA) Fellowship Program Retreat. Melissa shared insights on Clinical Training Lessons and the power of collaboration in advancing health equity. Melissa also highlighted how CGN fosters collaboration and facilitates shared learning. The cohort of surgical and anesthesia professionals celebrated their shared accomplishments, strengthened cross-country connections, and felt empowered to collaboratively advance health equity, enrich training environments, and build more sustainable surgical systems.

Dr. Charisse Ahmed, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor with the UCSF School of Nursing, CGN Global Nursing Research SEED Awardee, and Faculty Leader for the UCSF Certificate in Global Nursing Program, collaborated with colleagues in Zambia to co-lead trainings for Ikhaya (“A Place Called Home”), a non-governmental organization that supports children and adolescents who have experienced sexual abuse, violence, and trauma. The team is piloting a randomized trial of a church-based mental health intervention for young women who have experienced violence. Guided by community-partnered participatory research methods, the intervention was co-created by a community-based research advisory group that Dr. Ahmed established in 2023. The members of the advisory group were invited to join the research training as research assistants, demonstrating a meaningful model of community engagement and capacity building in global mental health.

Register for CGN's December 2025

Global Nursing Impact Series

Nurses and advanced practice providers play a pivotal role in improving global population health. CGN's Global Nursing Impact Series offers a platform to highlight their leadership and impact in advancing health equity and to promote collaboration on these initiatives. Each session will feature a 20-minute presentation by invited speakers, followed by a Q&A.*

Use the link below to register for CGN's upcoming Global Nursing Impact Series on

Tuesday, December 9, 2025, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. PST (4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. CET)

*The series is open to all UCSF faculty, students, staff, global partners, and professionals interested in the field of global health.

Register Now!

2026 CGN Cultural Humility Course Dates

CGN’s Introduction to Cultural Humility Course offers a foundational exploration of cultural humility within the contexts of nursing, advanced practice, and global health sciences. The course supports nurses and Advanced Practice Providers in recognizing personal bias, understanding how power and privilege shape clinical encounters, and building skills to foster more equitable, respectful partnerships in all settings.

This course is open to all nurses and Advanced Practice Providers, whether or not they are participating in CGN’s global programs.

2026 Course Dates: Feb. 9th, April 7th, Oct. 20th, Nov. 10th

All courses will be held virtually from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. PST.

Register Now!

2026 Community Meetings and Journal Club

Join CGN's Community Meetings and Journal Club to participate in an open forum for nursing professionals to connect, collaborate, and engage with the latest developments in global health nursing. Our meetings are held virtually and are open to all members of the global nursing community, whether you are currently engaged in global health work or looking to expand your knowledge and network. Be a part of the conversation and help drive meaningful change in global health nursing! 

1CE provided.

*The series is open to all UCSF faculty, students, staff, global partners, and professionals interested in the field of global health.

2026 Meeting Dates: Tuesday Feb. 10th, March 17th, Oct. 6th

All meetings will be held virtually from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. PST.

Funding and Global Opportunities

Are you working with a global health organization and need to fund your own visa or flight? CGN is committed to supporting our members as they engage in meaningful global health work. Apply now to qualify for up to $1500 in travel costs, and take the next step in your global health journey!

Qualtrics Application Process:

1. Complete the application questionnaire
2. Provide an invitation letter to work abroad
3. Attach your CV or resume for up to $1500 in travel costs



Applications are evaluated based on the project's sustainability and efforts to collaborate with local partners.

This Year's Focus: Technology-Enabled Care

The UCSF Leadership Institute is offering up to $20,000 for nurses, clinicians, researchers, and educators who aren't afraid to challenge the status quo and reshape healthcare. The Institute is looking for projects that harness the power of AI, digital tools, and technology platforms to revolutionize how we deliver and manage care. Think big. Think bold. Your project might explore:

• Telehealth innovations that break down access barriers
• Health apps and wearables that empower patients
• Informatics and analytics that drive smarter decisions
• Evidence-based practice implementations that save lives
• Workflow transformations that give clinicians time back for what matters most

Who Should Apply?

This fund celebrates nursing leaders who are passionate about advancing clinical excellence, elevating public health, and championing equitable access. Nursing leaders who recognize the intersections between academia and practice, between research and real-world impact, and between cutting-edge technology and compassionate care.

Eligible applicants: UCSF campus and UCSF Health staff and faculty, plus UCSF students and alumni.

Mark Your Calendar

• December 22, 2025: Application deadline
• January 15, 2026: Award notifications
• February 1, 2026: Project launch
• June 30, 2026: Project completion
• July 2026: Present your findings at our Colloquium (and inspire the next wave of innovators!)

Questions?

Email leadershipinstitute@ucsf.edu to discuss your ideas and to help craft a winning proposal.

The Imagine Fund exists because UCSF and Marilyn P. Chow, BSN, MSN, PhD, believe in the power of nursing innovation to transform healthcare. Your idea could be the next breakthrough.

Pediatric Volunteer Opportunity in Laos

Lao Friends Hospital for Children (LFHC) is the only hospital in northern Laos that provides specialty pediatric care, offering free services to underserved families in the region. It focuses on improving access to essential health services while supporting sustainable healthcare through training local providers. Volunteering offers a meaningful way to contribute to the hospital's mission and make a difference in children's lives.

Lao Friends Hospital for Children accepts applications for medical and nursing volunteers throughout the year. All individuals interested in volunteering should be able to spend two months at LFHC during their first visit. Anyone interested is welcome to send their resumes to hr@fwablaos.org.

Reminders

Center for Global Nursing Membership

Become A CGN Member

We want to identify those committed to being a part of the UCSF Center for Global Nursing (& Advanced Practice) and prepared to join our global partners in collaborative initiatives. We look forward to having all those faculty, staff, and interested students become core members of the CGN.

Please take the survey below to identify your interest in the Center for Global Nursing (& APP) membership. Membership requirements:

1. Interest and/or Expertise in Global Health (including health equity)
2. Education & Training, including our Cultural Humility course (see registration information above) and Global Health 101x (more information on how to register in the attached survey)

Highlight Your Achievements

Share Your Achievements with CGN

We are excited to highlight your achievements in our newsletters, on social media, and on our website.

Have you been involved in global partnerships, earned a new degree, published research, or accomplished something noteworthy this past month? We want to hear about it!

Please email Anisha Rao (anisha.rao@ucsf.edu) to share your achievements and let us shine a spotlight on your contributions at home and abroad.

Follow us on social media!

We are now sharing our updates in real time on

Instagram and Linkedin, follow along here:

Please send all global nursing/APP announcements and shout-outs to our email: Globalnursing@ucsf.edu

We would love to celebrate with you and include these in our upcoming newsletter.

Feel free to refer colleagues interested in receiving our newsletter or those with inquiries about the Center to our website.