This project focuses on addressing critical gaps in emergency medicine residency training at Black Lion Hospital, Ethiopia’s largest and most prominent healthcare facility. During my previous rotation, I was able to work with patients and residents in a clinical setting. During my upcoming rotation I will continue working clinically. I will be responsible for evaluating patients in the Emergency Department, and participate in rounds with residents and attendings. During my previous clinical experience, I identified a lack of standardized training protocols and specific procedural skills that hinder the effectiveness of the residency program. To address these challenges, I plan to implement a structured educational initiative that includes hands-on training in key emergency procedures such as intubations, chest tube insertions, and lumbar punctures. In addition to participating in active patient care, I will conduct lectures on essential emergency protocols, including Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), to enhance residents' knowledge and competency in managing critical cases and caring for patients that present to the ED with critical care issues.
The primary beneficiaries of this project will be the patients as they will be cared for my residents who have had a standardized curricular training. This will also benefit residents at Black Lion Hospital, many of whom face limited opportunities for hands-on training and exposure to advanced emergency procedures. As one of Ethiopia’s leading healthcare institutions, Black Lion serves a diverse and vulnerable population, including both urban and rural communities. These patients often face significant delays in receiving life-saving interventions due to a lack of trained emergency personnel. By improving the skills of emergency medicine residents, this project will improve patient care across a wide range of clinical settings, including trauma, cardiac, and respiratory emergencies. I will be able to evaluate this as I will be working first hand with patients and residents.
The expected impact of this project is twofold: 1) improving the clinical competence of emergency medicine residents at Black Lion Hospital, and 2) enhancing the overall quality of emergency care provided to patients. Through targeted training, residents will gain essential procedural skills and a deeper understanding of emergency protocols, leading to better management of critical cases. Additionally, the educational model will be sustainable, with mentorship and refresher courses ensuring that knowledge is passed on to future residents.
The impact of this work will also extend beyond my rotation. Upon returning to my residency program in the U.S., I will share the insights gained from this experience at global health forums and departmental meetings, contributing to broader discussions on the integration of global health training in emergency medicine. This will provide valuable perspectives on how to address gaps in emergency care training in low-resource settings and how these lessons can be applied to residency programs in the U.S.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to continue my work at Black Lion Hospital, strengthen emergency care training, and contribute to the advancement of emergency medicine in Ethiopia.
Bridging Gaps in Emergency and Critical Care: My Experience at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital
Saron Checkole, DO
Emergency Medicine Resident (PGY-3)
The Ohio State University
I recently had the opportunity to travel to Ethiopia for a month-long Global Health rotation at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH) through the Ohio State Emergency Medicine Residency Program. As one of the largest teaching and research hospitals in Addis Ababa, TASH plays a vital role in training future physicians while providing essential care to a vast patient population. However, despite its prominence, there remain gaps in emergency and critical care training.
During my time at TASH, I had the opportunity to work closely with medical residents, attendings, and staff to provide training in Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS). Growing up in Ethiopia, I was aware of the gaps in medical training, but seeing them firsthand reinforced my commitment to making a difference. Many residents are not required to obtain formal certifications in BLS, ACLS, or ATLS—trainings that are standard for medical trainees in the U.S.
Understanding the urgency of this need, I organized and led hands-on training sessions for emergency medicine, general surgery, and family medicine residents. We worked through case scenarios, simulating real-life emergencies to reinforce critical decision-making skills. Unlike the more resource-rich settings in the U.S., where we rely on advanced technology and structured coursework, the residents at Tikur Anbessa relied heavily on textbooks for theoretical knowledge. My goal was to bridge that gap by providing practical, scenario-based learning that would help them apply their knowledge in high-pressure situations.
Beyond training sessions, I collaborated with attending physicians and program leadership to discuss integrating these protocols into their residency curriculum. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Many resident physicians shared that while they had a strong theoretical foundation, they had minimal hands-on training outside of real-life clinical cases. Together, we explored ways to formalize and sustain these trainings within their program.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this experience was seeing the residents’ confidence grow as they practiced these protocols. During one of our trauma simulations, a group of residents who had never formally trained in ATLS worked through the assessment and management of a critically injured patient. Initially hesitant, they quickly adapted, applying the systematic approach they had learned. By the end of the session, they were not only more proficient but also more assured in their ability to handle real-life trauma cases.
This experience reinforced the power of hands-on, practical education in global health. While textbooks provide essential knowledge, the ability to practice and refine these skills in a supportive environment is invaluable. Moreover, this training will directly impact patient care by enhancing the residents' ability to respond effectively and efficiently in emergency situations. With improved skills and confidence, residents are better equipped to provide timely, high-quality care, potentially saving lives and improving patient outcomes in a resource-limited setting. My hope is that this training becomes a sustainable part of their medical education, empowering future generations of Ethiopian physicians to provide high-quality emergency care.
Acknowledgments
I am deeply grateful to The Ohio State University Emergency Medicine Residency, Graduate Medical Education (GME), The Kiehl Grant and the wonderful residents, attendings, and staff at the Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH) for making this experience possible. I also extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Doximity Foundation for supporting me and sharing my journey.
