Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background
Duke Medical Center, Duke North Hospital
There are some things for which I am eternally grateful, but few can compare with the friendship and collegial relationships that have been built between some of the Duke faculty and staff and the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center faculty and staff over many years. One of the things that I love about being in Moshi, Tz, is the ability to walk to and through the hospital and meet friends and colleagues, and greet one another as if we have not met in years. This warmth extends up the ladder to the Executive Director who is always greeted with a "Shikamoo" Professor. (formal greeting for someone either older, or wiser, or in a position of leadership) I hope that when our Tanzanian colleagues come to Duke, they feel the same friendship and warmth.
The MEPI leadership Team and John Bartlett
The most recent exchange has been between the MEPI (Medical Education Partnership Initiative) KCMC senior staff with a big visit to Duke this past week. The trip was long and hard, and the week packed with meetings, lectures, and events. Each person knew that they had specific tasks to be completed by week's end and discussion that would develop into specific plans for both sites to complete to make "MEPI" an excellent program. For me, the week was filled less with hard work, and more joy as I had the opportunity to entertain these truly amazing people, and to follow the events of the week through my husband John, and to finally say "Kwaheri" (Good bye) with them at the all time American Sport, a Durham Bulls Baseball game.
Durham Bulls Game
For the Duke and KCMC team, the work was endless, challenging and hard, but the results at least for the trip, were palpable as a real team feeling extended all around.
Provost Ebgbert Kessy, EDR Moshi Ntabaye, Dean Kien Mteta
Provost Kessy, EDR Ntabaye, Dean Mteta, Head, Community Health Department, Rachel Manongi
EDR Moshi Ntabaye, Dean Kien Mteta, Head of the Community Health Department Rachel Manongi, Director of Clinical Laboratories, Balthazar Nyombi, Director of Information Techonology Phesto Namayala, and Director of the Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute Gibson Kibiki
Everyone agreed that our administrator Charles deserved the big "Hongera Sana" and "Asante Sana" (Congratulations and thank you) for coordinating the week and, coordinating eight high ranking guests with different backgrounds, specialties and hopes. A daunting task, to say the least, but Charles managed in his usual graceful, charming and joyful way to make everyone feel at home and to find commonality with all the partners at Duke.
Charles even cooked a goat for the occasion, and over rounds of juice and sodas, the Executive Director (EDR)from KCMC gave a cheer for all that Charles had done.
EDR Moshi Ntabaye gives a cheer for Charles Muriari's hard work.
Deputy Provost for Administration, Ahaz Kulanga seconds the "Hongera"
Provost Ebgbert Kessy enjoys the talk
IT Director Phesto Namayala hardly looks jet lagged!
Community Health Department Head Rachael Monongi
What is amazing to me, is that our thoughtful KCMC EDR came to Duke with the other members of the team, fit right in with the others, each of them leaders in their own right, and got right down with them doing hard work to make this grant work. So, while we ate barbecued goat and beef tenderloin, ate delicious greens, ugali and fruit, the talk was all about personal beliefs, and moving forward: What would be expected, what would be hoped for and what could happen at the end of the grant. These leaders each provided valuable insight into how they believed that things could work at KCMC as compared to other institutions, and other countries, opinions that provided John and I with a new world view.
Despite "jet lag", these leaders met with students all week, met with the leaders at Duke, gave talks worked on plans endlessly, and suddenly the week came to a close.
Group Lunch with Students
EDR Ntabaye engages others around him at Duke luncheon
Provost Kessy at Duke Luncheon
Dean Mteta earnestly making a point
KCRI Director Gibson Kibiki
Clinical Laboratories Director Balthazar Nyombi at Duke Luncheon
Deputy Provost for Admin, Ahaz Kulanga, as always, thoughtfully listens
Charles Muriari, Duke Side MEPI Administrator, Gibson Kibiki, Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute (KCRI) Director, and IT Director Phesto Namayala
MEPI team at Duke Luncheon
At the end of the day, the one passion was clear: KCMC would be a better place because the medical students would be more motivated, involved, and prepared to begin a life in medicine, or surgery, or dermatology, or women's health, or public health, or community health, but as a medical provider.
John Bartlett entertaining MEPI Leadership
Of course, much of the praise for the week has to be given to John for his inspiration and his respect for his colleagues. I have often said that I never see him as happy as I do when he is in Tanzania with his Tanzanian colleagues. Definitely, he misses his patients at Duke, but the joy that he has for these friends, some new and some he has now known for over seven years is not comparable, and that brings joy to me.
And by the way..... we really missed you Oneko!
Olola Oneko, Former Chair of KCMC Obstetrics and Gynecology, Co-PI of AIDS Malignancy Grant
Special Thanks for the pictures of the Duke Luncheon to the Duke Global Health Institute
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