Collaboration
Working side by side with our colleagues in Rwanda since 2016, we have fostered strong personal and professional relationships, which have contributed to the success of the newly established cardiovascular fellowships. The program began as a virtual educational platform involving internal medicine residents at 4 teaching hospitals in Rwanda. This has grown to including the bi-directional exchange of University of Rwanda and University of Cincinnati faculty visits on the ground to continue our knowledge trade through collaboration.
As a result of the collaboration between Dr. Gloria Mukeshimana (left), Rwandan cardiologist, and Dr. Mehran Attari, a U.S. electrophysiologist (right), a bi-ventricular pacing and defibrillating device was placed for the first time in the history of Rwandan cardiology. This was made possible by a generous grant from Medtronic.
In 2023, we plan to have U.S and Rwandan cardiology trainees and faculty travel to the U.S. and Rwanda to experience how cardiovascular medicine is practiced in each country. This will foster a deeper understanding of the local health care standards and practices at each partner institution.
Fostering collaboration to strengthen cardiovascular care in Rwanda.
Dr. Amha , a cardiologist working in Rwanda, visits UC Cardiology Division. He spent 7 days shadowing all aspects of the division. This included the cardiac Cath lab, ICU, stress lab, MRI, Echo, clinic, and simulation lab.
He presented during cardiology grand rounds, “The State of Cardiology in Rwanda.”
He also had a chance to meet many of our fellows, and faculty. He attended our
conferences, as well as a journal club dinner. It was a wonderful chance for Dr. Amha
to get to know our facility and faculty. Dr. Amha’s visit was the first of many opportunities to create bidirectional exchange for the University of Rwanda cardiology fellows.
Dr. Amha (left) with chief of Cardiology at University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Dr. Charles Hattemer (right).
In 2022, Dr. Attari, an electrophysiologist and member of the University of Cincinnati Rwanda Initiative, spent 8 days in Kigali with the cardiologist, and Univeristy of Rwanda cardiology fellows. The week was spent at King Faisal Hospital performing procedures in the cath lab, providing didactic conferences, attending inpatient rounds and attending outpatient clinic. The devices implanted were made possible by a Medtronic grant. The first bi-ventricular pacing and defibrillator devices were implanted during this visit. The first lead extraction was also performed during this visit. It was a very successful week, that strengthened collaboration, knowledge, and advancement in cardiovascular disease in Rwanda.
In the cath lab team in Rwanda joined by Dr. Attari (bottom right), Dr. Mukeshimana (bottom left) fellows including Dr. Olivier ( third from right top), Dr. Ngoga (fourth from the top left), and Dr. Bienvenue ( far left), and support staff.