I am traveling with a group of urological colleagues to Tigali, wherein we are training the local group, bringing medical supplies, and providing educational courses.
The local and regional Rwandan people and physicians and support staff.
The local and regional population will be provided with supplies for future training and procedures. They will also be taught to provide the necessary workup and medical and surgical management for urological conditions. This is part of a longitudinal initiative, wherein the infrastructure is continuously being improved upon on a semi-annual basis.
Dr. Stephanie Kielb and Dr. Glenn Werneburg, of University of Michigan, recently participated in an international surgical mission to Rwanda, working alongside a multidisciplinary team of urologists, anesthesiologists, and nursing professionals to deliver high-quality care to patients with complex urologic conditions. Over the course of the mission, the team evaluated approximately 100 patients and performed nearly 50 surgical procedures, including repair of complex genitourinary fistulae and advanced pelvic organ prolapse, conditions that carry profound physical, social, and psychological consequences when left untreated.
Beyond direct patient care, the mission emphasized education, collaboration, and sustainable impact. Drs. Kielb and Werneburg worked closely with Rwandan residents and attending physicians in both the operating room and clinical settings, fostering bidirectional learning and skills development. They also delivered a joint educational session for the national urology training program. Dr. Kielb presented on the management of Fournier’s gangrene and principles of effective feedback in surgical education, while Dr. Werneburg discussed emerging applications of artificial intelligence in functional urology, including its potential to expand access and improve care delivery in resource-limited settings.
