Martina Gonzalez-Gomez, M.D., M.Sc., program manager for the Global Neurosurgery program in the Department of Neurosurgery, and James Johnston, M.D., professor in the Department of Neurosurgery and director of the Pediatric Neurosurgery division, co-instruct the Global Surgery course. In 2023, we met with Gonzalez-Gomez and Johnston to learn more about their vision for the course, which launched with the introduction of the UAB Master of Science in Global Health (MSGH) program offered by the UAB Heersink School of Medicine and the UAB School of Public Health (SOPH).
In the previous interview, Gonzalez-Gomez and Johnston shared that they created this course to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of surgical care's role in public health, health care systems, and international development. Grounded in global health evidence and core competencies, it aimed to integrate global surgery into the broader context of global health education. Students explore theoretical concepts, practical details, and policy aspects of global surgery, gaining insights from experienced surgeons and health professionals at UAB.
“The course has evolved since its introduction, reflecting the dynamic and emerging nature of global surgery,” said Gonzalez-Gomez.
The course now emphasizes collaborative learning by incorporating group case studies, which is important because global surgery interventions rely heavily on teamwork and collaboration. Students will also explore surgical care as part of an integrated service delivery system, and the pathway a patient with a surgical condition must navigate, broadening their understanding of access to surgical care across various settings.
“We introduced the concept of surgical care as part of an integrated service delivery system. This encompasses essential emergency, critical, and surgical care,” said Gonzalez-Gomez. “The course materials now include the latest global resolutions that focus on surgical care ensuring our content remains current and impactful.”
Students have appreciated Gonzalez-Gomez’s exceptional dedication, highlighting her efforts to enhance learning through diverse media options, including podcasts, and her thorough, constructive feedback on assignments. They found the course to be well-organized and highly informative, recommending it to anyone interested in health care. Additionally, students appreciated her extensive knowledge of global surgery, which made the course both enjoyable and a valuable use of their time.
“We are thrilled to share the journey of one of our students who has significantly benefited from the course, William Hereford, who is leading grassroots efforts to reduce spina bifida rates across the globe,” said Gonzalez-Gomez. “He has also enrolled in the MSGH program this year and attributes his expanded perspective on medicine to the course and the connections built afterward.”
Gonzalez-Gomez and Johnston have recruited experienced surgeons and other faculty from UAB to share their expertise on a variety of topics, including breast cancer screening, the importance of Emergency Care in resource-limited settings, and partnership experiences.
“These practical examples enrich the course, offering valuable insights into global surgery practices and partnerships,” said Gonzalez-Gomez.
Dr. Gonzalez-Gomez and the MHIGH and SOPH teams extend their thanks to all the guest lecturers and speakers for their invaluable contributions and insights, which have greatly enriched the Introduction to Global Surgery course.
Guest speakers and lecturers
Alan T. N. Tita, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UAB Heersink School of Medicine
Matthew Heimann, M.D., Department of Medicine, UAB Heersink School of Medicine
Mike K. Chen, M.D., MBA, Department of Surgery, UAB Heersink School of Medicine; Surgeon-in-Chief, Children’s of Alabama
Jeffrey P. Blount, M.D., MPH, Department of Neurosurgery, UAB Heersink School of Medicine
Holly Richter, M.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UAB Heersink School of Medicine
Richard Gleason, M.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UAB Heersink School of Medicine
Lily Gutnik, M.D., Department of Surgery, UAB Heersink School of Medicine
Brandon Rocque, M.D., M.S., Department of Neurosurgery, UAB Heersink School of Medicine
Donald Trei King, B.A., R EEG T, CNIMf, Director of Neurophysiology, Children’s of Alabama
Martina Gonzalez-Gomez, M.D., M.Sc., Department of Neurosurgery, UAB Heersink School of Medicine
James Johnston, M.D., Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, UAB Heersink School of Medicine
Learn more about the UAB Master of Science in Global Health (MSGH)