The Global Health Institute is a small but mighty team collaborating with UW-Madison’s 21 schools and colleges to strategically link multidisciplinary talent and expertise with global partners in academia, industry, governments, and NGOs.
In two short years, GHI has successfully implemented its new strategic vision to establish and grow a robust network of One Health Centers (OHC) and projects in Colombia, India, Mexico, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and South Africa. These field sites enhance UW-Madison’s research opportunities, knowledge and technology exchange, joint funding opportunities, and the implementation of effective global health interventions.
Under my leadership, GHI has trailblazed a new path at UW expanding the Wisconsin Idea globally. GHI’s major milestones since summer 2022 include:
- Developed a five-year strategic plan with its board of visitors and campus-wide advisory committee.
- Restructured its small team to absorb additional duties and hired a new communications director and the Institute’s first-ever research faculty member. Over the last four years, GHI transitioned from eight staff members to four today.
- Worked with the Office of Legal Affairs to establish One Health Centers and programs in Colombia, India, Mexico, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and South Africa.
- Created a pathway to sustainability with a five-year P&L strategy with diverse funding from individuals, grants, fee-for-service, and UW resources.
- Developed a new communications and outreach strategy, website, branding, collateral, and marketing materials.
- Submitted 24 federal and non-federal grants with campus and non-campus partners. The total amount of these grants is over $71 million. In keeping with the purpose of GHI as a catalyst for global health research across campus, these proposals have involved PIs or Co-PIs from the School of Medicine and Public Health, the School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences (CALS), College of Engineering, and the Morgridge Institute for Research.
- Led three delegation visits (India, Colombia, South Africa) for UW faculty and staff, facilitating meetings with academic, industry, governments, and alumni.
- Met Wisconsin legislators in Washington, DC, and included in UW’s FY24 appropriations request.
- Joined International Division’s Academic Planning Council & CALS’ Global Health Undergraduate Program Committee.
- Facilitated 15 online webinars with high-level speakers and averaged 102 registrants per event. Co-led two Global Health Symposium events, each with 350 attendees.
- With funding from UW Graduate School, coupled with matching funds from the Colombian government, GHI is supporting three Colombian graduate students in UW’s Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Pathobiological Sciences, and Mass Communications.
- Created two international internships for undergraduates at GHI’s OHC-Colombia.
- Catalyzed three multi-disciplinary interest groups, “Migration and Health,” (now housed in School of Nursing), “Cannabis Working Group,” (now housed in CALS), and “UW Health efforts in Africa,” (which unearthed the OHC program in Rwanda).
- Hosting quarterly “Brewing Collaborations” networking events to convene faculty and staff across campus.
It’s clear we’ve built significant momentum and delivered impact to save lives, and improve diversity and international presence at UW, in Wisconsin, and beyond. I’m proud of the work we have accomplished in such a short period of time. But this is just the beginning. We have more work to do in expanding the Wisconsin Idea worldwide.
We are grateful to partners like you who enable GHI to achieve new heights. This giving season, please consider donating to advance our mission. Your investment touches lives close to home, wherever that may be, and around the world. Every gift, regardless of size, makes a significant difference. Donating is simple. A one-time contribution or recurring gift can be set up online athttps://ghi.wisc.edu/support-ghi/
Gracias, and On, Wisconsin!
Jorge Osorio
Director
Global Health Institute