As a pediatric emergency medicine fellow, I will travel to Mozambique to provide direct clinical care to acutely ill and injured children while partnering with local physicians to strengthen pediatric emergency care through education. My work will focus on delivering high quality, evidence based care and building local capacity through teaching.
In the emergency department, I will work alongside Mozambican physicians and trainees to evaluate and manage critically ill children presenting with traumatic injuries, infectious diseases, dehydration, and other life-threatening conditions. I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with local providers in a way that respects existing practices, available resources, and the unique needs of the community.
I will develop and deliver pediatric-focused educational sessions for emergency medicine resident using interactive lectures, case-based discussion, bedside teaching, and simulation. Topics will be tailored to locally relevant diseases and presentations while emphasizing practical and sustainable approaches to pediatric emergency care.
The combination of direct service and education creates a sustainable model that strengthens the local healthcare workforce while improving outcomes for children both now and in the future.
This work will benefit the pediatric patients who seek emergency care in Mozambique and the emergency medicine residents and clinicians responsible for their care.
Children in Mozambique experience a high burden of preventable and treatable illness. Many present to the emergency department with advanced illness, where timely recognition and evidence-based management can significantly improve outcomes. Through direct clinical care and bedside teaching, I will support local providers in caring for these vulnerable patients during acute medical emergencies.
Pediatric emergency medicine is a specialized field, and opportunities for pediatric emergency training are limited. By providing structured educational teaching and mentorship, I will help residents develop greater confidence and competence in the evaluation and management of critically ill children.
In the short term, children will benefit from collaborative, high-quality emergency care. The strengthening of pediatric knowledge and skills of local physicians will have a lasting impact far beyond the children I can reach through direct clinical service. Empowering local clinicians to provide high quality pediatric emergency care is sustainable capacity building with potential to create a stronger emergency care system.
This experience will have a lasting impact on both the communities I serve and my future career as a pediatric emergency medicine physician. While in Mozambique, I hope to contribute through collaborative clinical care and education, recognizing that meaningful global health partnerships are built on mutual learning and sustainable capacity building rather than short term service alone.
Working alongside Mozambican physicians and trainees will deepen my understanding of delivering quality care in resource limited settings. This will strengthen my adaptability, creativity, and cultural humility. Following this experience, I plan to integrate these perspectives into my work as an educator by sharing knowledge with trainees, incorporating principles of global emergency medicine into teaching, and continuing to foster international academic partnerships.
I had the incredible opportunity to work with emergency medicine residents, nurses, and general physicians in Maputo, Mozambique in a large public hospital and a smaller, rural hospital. I worked primarily in the pediatric area of the emergency department to provide direct clinical care and on-shift teaching to the residents.
We designed and implemented a pediatric emergency simulation curriculum. The curriculum was designed based on a needs assessment performed with the residents. The residents were engaged and eager to learn more about pediatric emergency medicine. They expressed excitement to continue using the cases throughout the academic year to supplement their existing curriculum.
Additionally, I had the opportunity to participate in the first International Symposium of Emergency Medicine in Maputo. I led small group sessions reviewing pediatric trauma management and gave a podium presentation on pediatric resuscitation.
