Global Health Initiatives

NEW! Global Oncology Course

New course MPHY 5000: Introduction to Global Oncology provides an introduction to global oncology in the areas of medicine, physics, and engineering. Regional differences related to epidemiology, social factors, health policy, resources/access to cancer care, global organizations, clinical trials, and the use of AI in medicine will be explored through faculty lectures, journal clubs, and student presentations. The course is open to Penn graduate and undergraduate students and is coordinated by Stephen Avery, PhD, Principal Investigator (PI) of the Global Medical Physics Training and Development Program (GMPTDP).

Global Medical Physics Training and Development Program (GMPTDP)

The Medical Physics Graduate Programs pioneers new global health initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa through the innovative Global Medical Physics Training and Development Program (GMPTDP). Sponsored by a three-year Penn Global Research and Engagement Grant, with supplemental funding from the Department of Radiation Oncology and the School of Engineering and Applied Science, this novel program aims to enhance students' clinical skills in an international context; develop a greater appreciation of the factors that impact the health, education, and quality of life of communities in sub-Saharan Africa; strengthen partnerships for education and research between the US and Africa; and provide global career opportunities. The GMPTDP features an international clinical practicum experience in Ghana for students and a global health invited speaker series.

GMPTDP Co-PIs Dr. Stephen Avery and Dr. Shannon O'Reilly with Dr. Elsie Kaufmann, Head of Bioengineering at the University of Ghana

Drs. Shannon O'Reilly and Stephen Avery with Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, CEO of Peace & Love Hospitals, and breast cancer survivors in Kumasi, Ghana

(L to R): MPGP student Ila Farhang; Dr. Francis Hasford, medical physicist at the University of Ghana; Dr. Stephen Avery, PI of the GMPTDP; and MPGP student Ellen Park at the 2023 Global Health Catalyst Summit at the University of Pennsylvania

Global Clinical Practicum: Ghana

The Global Medical Physics Training and Development Program offers a clinical practicum in Ghana, the first-of-its-kind in medical physics graduate education. Selected students have the opportunity to complete this five-week, funded clinical training experience over the summer. Students participate in a cultural and program orientation before departure, and then rotate through four hospitals in Accra and Kumasi. During their experience, students learn about global health-related topics, complete a clinical project related to AI to improve clinical workflow, and participate in excursions with students from the University of Ghana to fully immerse in Ghanian culture.

Student recaps of the Program

MPGP students with chief medical physicist Dr. Eric Addison and staff from Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana

Treatment and imaging modalities at clinical practicum sites in Accra and Kumasi, Ghana include conventional Linac, CT, fluoroscopy, brachytherapy, simulator. Pictured: cobalt-60 experience

MPGP students present their research at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana

Dr. Shannon O'Reilly and MPGP students enjoy a cultural outing in Accra, Ghana

Global Health Invited Speaker Series

Through the Global Health Invited Speaker Series, Penn hosts renowned clinicians and scholars from departments of radiation oncology at teaching hospitals in Ghana. Students have unique opportunities to meet with guest speakers to learn about the opportunities and challenges of radiation oncology and cancer care in Africa.

Invited speakers include:

Dr. Verna Vanderpuye, Radiation/Clinic Oncologist at the National Center for Radiotherapy Oncology and Nuclear Medicine at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and the University of Ghana; Professor, Department of Oncology at Queens University in Kingston, Canada

Global Health Invited Speaker Dr. Verna Vanderpuye lectures on "The Future of Radiation Oncology in Africa" to the Department of Radiation Oncology

Dr. Verna Vanderpuye discusses her journey to a career in radiation oncology and pressing challenges to healthcare delivery in Ghana and West Africa with MPGP students

Dr. Eric Addison, Chief Medical Physicist & Senior Lecturer at the Oncology Directorate, Physics Division at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana

Dr. Eric Addison, Global Health Invited Speaker, presents "Capacity Building in Medical Physics for Radiation Therapy and Cancer Control: Collaborative Efforts in Ghana" to the Department of Radiation Oncology

Dr. Eric Addison with MPGP students during a lunch discussion about medical physics and Ghanian culture

Global Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Project

Medical Physics Graduate Programs students initiated virtual peer-to-peer dialogue sessions with medical physics students in Ghana to share academic and clinical experiences and discuss issues impacting global health. The project's aim is to identify educational differences between the US and Ghana and their translations to healthcare inequities through open and intellectual dialogue. Students intend to collaborate on research projects and provide feedback to enhance the new clinical practicum in Ghana through this student-managed communication line.