Melisa Davis Reflection – Global Health Experience in Uganda: Pharmacy Clinical Rotation and Community Outreach at Masindi Kitara Hospital

Melisa Davis, College of Pharmacy student, was awarded a Center for Global Health Student & Trainee Travel Grant to pursue a global health project in Masindi, Uganda. View more photos of her time in country in this Flickr photo gallery.

My time in Uganda was truly transformative. In September 2025, I had the privilege of completing my global health rotation at Masindi Kitara Medical Center in partnership with OneWorld Health. Supported by the MUSC Center for Global Health, this experience allowed me, as a fourth-year pharmacy student, to learn in a setting unlike anything I had ever known, surrounded by a team whose compassion and dedication inspired me every day.

Each morning began with rounds alongside the medical and nursing staff. We worked together to discuss patient cases, create treatment plans, and focus on antimicrobial stewardship. My team and I even had the opportunity to present on stewardship principles and saw our recommendations put into action shortly afterward. It was incredibly rewarding to witness how collaborative education could strengthen care in real time.

Throughout my time in Masindi, I encountered many conditions I had never seen in the United States. Malaria and sickle cell disease were among the most common, and I learned just how critical pharmacy involvement is in ensuring safe and effective treatment. One case I will never forget involved a child who was transferred from an outside clinic after receiving incomplete malaria therapy. The mother believed her child had received the correct medication, but the child had not been prescribed oral treatment after discharge. When the child arrived at our clinic, they were convulsing, passing blood in their urine, and were later diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome and acute glomerulonephritis. I helped obtain the child’s weight and re-dose the artesunate appropriately. Watching the care team respond so quickly and being able to contribute reminded me how important accurate dosing and pharmacy involvement are in global health.

Another memorable case involved a young girl who had been in a motor vehicle accident, another common reason for hospitalization in the area. She required rods in her toes after surgery, which later became infected. My team and I were able to review her case and recommend an additional antibiotic to cover the infection. She improved quickly and was able to go home the following week after spending nearly two months in the hospital. Seeing her recovery and her family’s joy was an unforgettable moment that reminded me why compassionate, evidence-based care matters so deeply.

What struck me most during my rotation was the kindness and warmth of the people I met. The staff, patients, and families welcomed us with open hearts and a spirit of generosity that left a lasting impression on me. Even in moments of hardship, there was a sense of faith and resilience that spoke to the strength of the community.

As I reflect on my time in Uganda, I feel immense gratitude for the Masindi Kitara Medical Center team who taught me so much and for the MUSC Center for Global Health and OneWorld Health for making this experience possible. This journey reminded me that pharmacy is not just about medications and guidelines. It is about people, connection, and serving with gratefulness. Uganda changed the way I see the world and reaffirmed my calling to use my knowledge and compassion to make a difference wherever I go.