Join us for a Global Health Guest Lecture!

Strengthening Health Systems in Sierra Leone:
Journey from At-Risk Child to Medical Doctor

Thursday, August 25, 2022
12:00 p.m. EST
Basic Sciences Building BS435

Dr. Aruna Stevens, M. B, Ch. B
Chief Medical Officer, Mercy UMC Hospital
Bo, Sierra Leone

Dr. Aruna Stevens will share his journey into health care and discuss the challenges of practicing medicine in an under-resourced country like Sierra Leone and the importance of training partnerships with health care professionals around the globe. MUSC has a long-standing relationship with Mercy Hospital through Dr. Gary Gilkeson and colleagues.

"In early childhood, I felt the need to access health care is a problem for my community when I had to walk over 10 kilometers single file with my mother for long hours in the hot sun-drenched areas in tropical Sierra Leone to access care when I got sick. Our family needs intensified when my little sister was diagnosed with sickle cell disease and had many crises that cannot be skillfully and adequately cared for at the community health center, but rather at a hospital that is about 30 kilometers from our village with deplorable roads. These and my other exigent or crucial needs for health care urged and impelled my interest to pursue a career in medicine."

RSVP: Please email schagunn@musc.edu

 

The event will also stream virtually on Teams:

Virtual Event Link 

Or call in (audio only)

+1 843-410-6177
Phone Conference ID: 172 600 115#