Ethiopia

In 2007, Dr. Girma Tefera, Associate Professor in the Division of Vascular Surgery, initiated an international collaboration with the University of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. That year, three surgeons from Ethiopia visited the Department of Surgery for six weeks to acquire new skills and knowledge in laparoscopy, surgical oncology and trauma.

Dr. Tefera expanded on this relationship in June of 2009 when two surgeons from our department, Dr. Dennis Lund and Dr. Jon Gould, joined Dr. Tefera in Ethiopia. Dr. Gould focused his efforts on laparoscopic training and proctored and assisted surgeons on the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed at the University of Addis Ababa. Dr. Lund trained junior faculty in operative techniques for pediatric patients.

In the fall of 2009, four physicians and four nurse leaders from Ethiopia came to UW-Madison for training in emergency medicine by UW School of Medicine and Public Health faculty.

In October 2010, Addis Abba University received funding from a grant titled “Ethiopia’s Medical Education Consortium for Quality Medical Education and Retention,” part of a $130 million dollar project funded by the Department of Health and Human Services and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Addis Abba received this funding due to their partnership with the UW Department of Surgery.

2010 Ethiopia Trip