On October 24, 2005 deans of the UW-Madison health sciences schools and international studies announced the formation of a new Center for Global Health. The Center is a joint initiative of the schools of Nursing, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, the Medical School and the Division of International Studies. This is believed to be one of the few centers for global health in which four health science schools and an international studies unit on a single campus have united to advance global health.
Why did a major mid-western university decide to invest resources in global health? How did the UW-Madison Center for Global Health come about and what will it mean for the campus in the years ahead? This story provides background, outlines key steps, and envisions future efforts.
The Context
The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) is among the finest institutions of higher education and research in the world. It enrolls more than 40,000 students annually, including more than 3,000 international students. The university’s International Institute is home to eleven distinct area studies programs including hundreds of faculty who are expert on nearly every world region. The university also offers study abroad options on every continent except Antarctica, and outstanding social, biological and agricultural sciences programs. The UW-Madison health sciences schools enroll more than 1,400 students each year. Health sciences faculty are engaged in a dazzling spectrum of basic and applied research. Yet until recently the campus had no formal program to promote global health.
Calls to strengthen global health at the university converged from many directions. At the grassroots, students voted with their feet to study abroad. Health sciences faculty and staff who recognized the importance of global health sought to better prepare students through new courses and offerings. The International Health Medical Education Consortium (now GHEC) played an important role when they offered a consultant to the UW Medical School who outlined steps to strengthen international education through a central office. UW chancellors David Ward and John Wiley encouraged global efforts when they identified ‘accelerate internationalization’ as one of the campus’ five strategic priorities. The Wisconsin Idea, which recognized that ‘the boundaries of the university are the boundaries of the state’, was expanded to state that ‘the boundaries of the university are the boundaries of the world; a world class university should be engaged in global understanding and action.’
Activating a University-wide Global Health Community
Dr. Philip Farrell, Dean of the UW Medical School stimulated global efforts when he activated a new International Health Advisory Committee (IHAC) in 2001. The 24-member committee, comprised of experienced faculty and staff from all of the campus’ health science units, the Division of International Studies, and community health professionals, was charged to recommend policies, expand programs and coordinate international health efforts among the health sciences schools.
Establishing Vision, Goals and Plans
The IHAC met monthly for more than a year to clarify policies and procedures related to the conduct of international programs among the health sciences schools. These meetings provided opportunities for members to share experiences and to discuss the potential for new courses, programs and partnerships. Members realized that short meetings were inadequate to handle the multitude of ideas bubbling up from the group. A retreat afforded members time to envision vibrant UW-Madison global health programs. A small steering committee was charged to plan a course of action. The steering committee developed ideas for a formal center to enhance global health education, research and partnerships, based on the principles of addressing health disparities; promoting interdisciplinary collaboration; and building lasting relationships to yield reciprocal benefits. This vision energized students, staff and faculty.
Developing Courses
Gilles Bousquet, UW-Madison dean of International Studies, and his staff championed global health efforts, too. Realizing the potential synergy between the health sciences, social sciences and agricultural and life sciences, Dean Bousquet provided crucial seed funds to support development of new field-based courses on “Health, Language and Culture of Ecuador,” and “Health and Disease in Uganda.” Dedicated faculty, staff and students piloted courses that mobilized interdisciplinary groups around common goals. Students returned profoundly moved by their experiences in the pilot courses, which triggered increased interest among their fellow-students. Additional courses are in development and plans for a Certificate in Global Health are in progress to meet the growing demand.
Addressing Challenges
Dreaming of a future for global health at the university was energizing, but moving from the dream to reality is challenging. A fundamental challenge is to show that global health can add value to a state supported university. Some have feared that global programs might drain scarce resources and detract from our ability to serve the people of the state; yet students, staff and faculty have returned from global health programs with new renewed commitments, experience and skills to address health needs within the state.
Another challenge was to secure core resources for the new center during a time of university-wide budget cuts and state budget deficits. All participating units were invited to contribute towards the goals, programs and resources of the new center. Steering committee members from each school communicated with their constituents, transmitted concerns from their schools, and worked with the director to secure realistic budget support. Support from community donors also provided crucial seed funds to hire core staff and jump start programs.
Welcoming everyone to the emerging global health community is important in a large campus with many distinct and varied participants. Office space in the new Health Sciences Learning Center has provided convenient access to students, staff and faculty; a web site is in evolution (http://www.pophealth.wisc.edu/ghp/). A monthly seminar provided opportunities for faculty, staff and students to share their work and for visitors to present new ideas. Individuals who have attended the seminars have been invited to join a list serve to receive notice of global health events; this group now has more than 400 members. A global health affiliate program has been launched; faculty, staff and community members have been invited to register and contribute to a global health database that will enable students to locate advisors and members with shared interests to network efficiently. Although we have just begun, we have already accomplished a great deal to nurture our fledgling global health community.
Envisioning the Future
The UW-Madison Center for Global Health is off to a strong start. We are working to develop and support education, research and partnerships regarding health issues that transcend national boundaries, and through these programs we hope to contribute to sustainable health improvements for populations throughout the world. 
Dr. Cindy Haq served as an honorary lecturer and Fulbright scholar to
Makerere University from January-July, 2005. To read more about her
work see http://www.fammed.wisc.edu/news/0510/uganda.html
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