Global Health Events at the Medical College of Wisconsin

“Every human being wants to be understood and appreciated.” This was the message emphasized during this experiential learning event. From July 11 – July 12, 2023, a group of 18 Medical College of Wisconsin faculty, staff, and students traveled north to the Lac Du Flambeau Reservation to learn about indigenous ways and understand the historical trauma in Native American communities and the pathway to healing. This two-day professional development event offered MCW colleagues the opportunity to grow together and learn the indigenous ways, histories, and cultural values of the Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe to develop a deeper understanding of Indian country.

This culturally immersive experience was organized in partnership between MCW’s Epidemiology & Social Sciences Division, the Office of Global Health, the Indigenous Institute Teaching Learning, Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council (GLARCH), and Family Circles Professional Development Training with the Ojibwe Community. It was facilitated by Dr. Brian Jackson, Dr. Alton Sonny Smart and Doreen Wawronowics. Dr. Jackson is an Assistant Professor in Epidemiology & Social Sciences at MCW and a member of the Lac Du Flambeau Ojibwe Tribe in Northern Wisconsin. Dr. Smart and Ms. Wawronowics are tribal elders who shared their wisdom and knowledge of indigenous ways with the group.

Provost and Executive Vice President, Dr. Kerschner shared his continued support “The professional development session, Understanding Historical Trauma in Native American People, is an incredible example of the power of connection that occurs when rooted in cultural understanding. I applaud the organizers for their efforts to create a transformative experience that prioritized listening and authenticity. I am humbled by the overwhelming attendance from a variety of leaders, faculty and staff. In partnership with our indigenous communities, important collaborations embody the best of MCW.”

Learn more about Summer 2023 on the Lac Duc Flambeau Reservation with the Ojibwe by reading the Executive Summary Report. Please feel free to contact Dr. Laura Cassidy, Associate Dean for Global Health, Professor of Epidemiology and Social Sciences with questions or comments (lcassidy@mcw.edu). Due to the success of this event, the team will be planning other opportunities to engage with the Ojibwe community.

View the executive summary report (PDF)

The MCW Office of Global Health hosted a two-day virtual meeting on September 29-30, 2020 to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on midwestern university's global health programming. It's notable that 35 academic institutions were represented amongst its registrants.

Day 1 highlighted the impact of COVID-19 on women locally and internationally. This event was co-hosted with MCW's Center for the Advancement of Women in Science and Medicine and the Council for Women's Advocacy. Day 2 academic institution global health leaders gave mini presentations on the impact to student global heath programming and faculty's global engagement, and how leadership has leveraged its visibility.

This is the 7th annual meeting of this esteemed regional group. In 2014, we originated this group along with the University of Illinois Chicago to ensure we were connected to our Midwestern peers in global health administrative roles and to share best practices and leverage collaborations.

DAY 1

Impact of COVID-19 on Women

Since the founding of the Women in Global Health - Midwest Chapter, we incorporate a chapter meeting alongside the larger meeting.

• Watch the meeting replay video
• View the presentation slides (PDF)
• View the conference's executive summary (PDF)

DAY 2

Impact of COVID-19 on Global Health Programming

The format of this meeting brings us back to the original reason we convened initially -- a discussion of university administrative global health leaders sharing with one another their successes and challenges so we may have an exchange of ideas and processes that informs our individual efforts.

We have developed three prompts for each university/college global health entity to respond to and present. Please elect one representative from your institution to present. The template slide deck is attached.

Mini presentations: Impact of COVID-19 on the university’s global health programming

1. How is global health now increasingly recognized?
2. How did your global health educational and research activities change?
3. How have you leveraged its emphasis among your leadership?

Institutions will present in alphabetical order and as we receive confirmations, a time slot will be assigned. You do not have to commit to virtually attend the entire meeting and we will record the meeting for further dissemination and review.

• Watch the meeting replay video
• View the presentation slides (PDF)

The Office of Global Health is part of the Network for the Prevention of Gun Violence in the Americas. The global burden of gun violence accounts for more than 250,000 deaths worldwide, and half of these deaths occur in just six countries – all in the Americas. This public health and humanitarian crisis has significant challenges, requiring multiple policy and program approaches for making our respective nations healthy and safe. This Network was formed to bring together health professionals, human rights advocates, arms trade specialists, and violence prevention activists to to focus on challenges ahead and find solutions to address gun violence in Mexico and Central America.

Illicit trafficking in conventional weapons is a global phenomenon that has an outsized impact on security and stability in countries around the world. Mexico and the Northern Triangle of Central America suffer from extremely high levels of gun homicides and other gun violence. What are the mechanisms and impacts of this gun violence, and what policies and actions can people in the region take to confront it? In these webinars, expert journalists and researchers discuss the gun market and its human impacts, and propose policies and strategies to stem gun violence.

Led by Dr. Stephen Hargarten, Associate Dean for Global Health, other current members of The Network for the Prevention of Gun Violence in the Americas are:

Anahuac University Mexico
Brady Campaign
Center for American Progress
Consortium of Universities of Global Health
Forum on Arms Trade
Giffords Law Center
Metropolitan Peace Institute, Inc
Newtown Action Alliance
O'Neill Institute, Georgetown Law
Project to Stop US Arms to Mexico
Washington University School of Law

Past webinar recordings available to view

• CUGH 2021 Satellite: Gun Violence in Mexico & Central America: The Challenges & Paths to Solutions
• Remembering the One Year Anniversary of El Paso Massacre
• The flow of U.S. guns and violence against women in Mexico and Central America
• Gun Violence in the Americas
• Gun Violence in Mexico and Central America
• Arms Trafficking in the Americas
• U.S. Arms Sales in the Time of COVID-19
• Regional strategies to stop the flow and use of firearms in Mesoamerica
• Guns A Global Epidemic
• Assault Weapons Ban in the Americas
• Local Solutions to a Hemispheric Challenge

“Holes in the Net: US Arms export control gaps in combating corruption” (PDF)
Colby Goodman,  transparency international defense and security program
Carnegie Corp

Picard M, Holtom P, Mangan F. Trade Update 2019 Transfers, Transparency, and South-East Asia Spotlight. Small Arms Survey. December 2019 (PDF)

Gilgen E. Small Arms Survey. A Fatal Relationship. 2012 (PDF)

Gilgen E. Small Arms Survey. Captured and Counted. 2012 (PDF)

Carapic J, De Martino L. Violent Deaths due to Legal Interventions. Small Arms Survey. Research Notes Armed Violence. Number 53. July 2015 (PDF)

Hideg G., Alvazzi del Frate A. Darkening Horizons Global Violent Deaths Scenarios, 2018-30. Small Arms Survey. May 2019 (PDF)

“Gross Human rights abuses: The legal and  illegal gun trade to Mexico”
John Lindsey-Poland et al.
Appleton Foundation, Charity Pot, Ries Family Foundation