Global Health
Transforming Global Healthcare Through Collaboration
For over 20 years, the Department of Anesthesiology’s Global Health Program has focused on training the next generation of healthcare leaders in resource-limited countries. Rather than participating in traditional "medical missions," we empower local providers by equipping them with the skills to care for their communities. Our residents have been involved from the start, ensuring that education remains central to our global health efforts.
We are dedicated to building sustainable, education-focused programs that are developed by and for local practitioners. Our goal is to train future anesthesia leaders who can address the specific needs of their communities. By combining in-person education with remote learning, we aim to create a lasting impact and maintain strong international partnerships.
Our Mission: To improve health care capacity through longitudinal collaborations with medical providers via bi-directional education, quality improvement, and research efforts.
Partnerships
Learn more about our partnerships with The Gambia, Honduras, and Cambodia below!
By the Numbers: Impact in The Gambia
Through our growing partnership in The Gambia, the Department of Anesthesiology has supported meaningful hands-on experiences for 9 residents, 7 faculty members, and 1 medical student. Nearly 20 additional faculty and residents have contributed virtually—sharing their expertise through remote teaching and mentorship. Our ongoing collaboration has advanced to include the fundraising and donation of 2 Lifebox capnographs and the loaning of 6 video laryngoscopes.
Partnership Timeline
- 2016
- 2017-2019
- 2021-2023
- 2024
- 2025
Partnering for Cardiac Care in Honduras
In November 2024, anesthesiologist Dr. Steve Bott joined a multidisciplinary surgical team from the University of Utah on a trip to Tegucigalpa, Honduras, to help launch cardiothoracic surgical services at the Instituto Nacional Cardiopulmonar (INCP). Working alongside local clinicians and the nonprofit Open Heart Honduras, the team performed ten surgeries in five days and provided hands-on training to support the long-term growth of the program. As the sole anesthesiologist, Dr. Bott played a key role in managing complex perioperative care and strengthening collaboration with the Honduran anesthesia team.
Partnership Timeline
- November 2024
- November 2025
Collaborating for Perioperative Education in Cambodia
Since 2022, the Department of Anesthesiology has partnered with Cambodian anesthesiologists on two educational initiatives. In collaboration with the University of Utah’s Center for Global Surgery, Dr. Scott Junkins has taught anesthesia and ambulatory surgery considerations alongside Dr. Ray Price’s laparoscopic surgery training at hospitals across the country. Beginning in 2023, Dr. Candice Morrissey and Dr. Linda Nguyen led ultrasound and echocardiography training in partnership with clinicians from Intermountain Medical Center. Together, these efforts support a growing model of multidisciplinary, team-based education in perioperative care.
Partnership Timeline
- 2022
- February 2023
Expanding Global Health Through Collaboration
The Department of Anesthesiology is committed to sustainable, education-focused global partnerships that address community-specific needs. Our efforts began with a long-standing collaboration with Ghanaian anesthesiologists and have since expanded to include a decade-long partnership in The Gambia focused on quality improvement, crisis resource management, and simulation-based education. We support ultrasound and anesthesia training in Cambodia alongside the Center for Global Surgery, and recently helped launch cardiothoracic anesthesia services at a teaching hospital in Honduras. We also work closely with the University of Utah’s Office of Global Health to advance both our Gambian initiatives and broader university-wide global health projects.
Global Health In Action
Mariama Janneh, USAID country program manager for The Gambia; Gustavo da Silva from the University of Utah Office of Global Health; Dr. Scott Junkins; Dr. Candace Chang; Her Excellency Sharon Cromer, U.S. Ambassador to The Gambia; Dr. Dinesh Shukla, chancellor of AIUWA; Prof. Momodou Mousa Baro, head of the AIUWA College of Nursing; and Dr. Arran Seiler. (2025)
Dr. Bott and two team members in an operating room in Honduras.
Prof. Momodou Mousa Baro, head of the AIUWA College of Nursing, during his visit to Salt Lake checking out the Center for Patient Simulation. (2024)
Dr. Junkins, Dr. Tupinio, Dr. Seiler, Dr. Mastrantonio, Dr. Agarwala, Dr. Chang, and Dr. Liu with Ousman Ceesay (chief nurse anesthetist at Kanifing General Hospital) and Prof. Momodou Mousa Baro. (2024)
Dr. Junkins presenting at the Gambian National Anesthesia Review Course. (2019)
