FAME’s Partnership with Creighton University Part 2: Dr. Alicia Willey
Dr. Willey with FAME’s radiologist Japhar Hassan, performing an ultrasound.
Dr. Willey and team on morning rounds.
Dr. Willey and Dr. Ken Karanja
Dr. Alicia Willey, an Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialist in Phoenix, Arizona, volunteered at FAME for two months this summer. Dr. Willey is the second volunteer from the Creighton University of Medicine Global Women's Health Fellowship, which maintains a partnership with FAME to send OB/GYN fellows annually to support FAME’s maternal health team. FAME has partnered with Creighton University School of Medicine-Phoenix Global Women's Health Fellowship since 2022. This two-year fellowship program for OB/GYN physicians provides advanced training in the delivery of women's healthcare worldwide through clinical experience, education and mentorship.
Through this partnership, the first volunteer at FAME was Dr. Elyssa Metas, who spent time with us in 2020 and 2021. You could read her reflection on her time at FAME here if you missed it. Dr. Metas is now the Fellowship Director.
This is Dr. Willey’s first time at FAME. She first heard about FAME from Dr. Elyssa Metas, her mentor. She had always desired to work overseas, and when Dr. Metas told her about FAME, it sounded like the right fit.
“Dr. Metas was so inspired when she came back from FAME. She talked about the work FAME does and the people it helps. This intrigued me and I decided to come here to work alongside FAME medical staff.”
Once at FAME, Dr. Willey settled in with the Tanzanian medical team.
“I love everything at FAME! The location, the lifestyle, the flora, the fauna and the people are amazing! Everyday life here is much more rewarding and hands-on than I’m used to at home. At FAME, you get enough time with each patient, allowing you to see the difference you are making by treating them. It is also very stimulating as we sometimes have to problem-solve to complete certain procedures given we have different tools here.” -Dr. Willey
Did FAME reach the expectations that Dr. Metas had set?
“It was not far from what I expected since I had talked extensively to Dr. Metas, so I knew a lot about FAME, including the types of lab tests available to order.” -Dr. Willey
Dr. Willey has, however, encountered some differences between the medical practice at FAME and in America.
“In America, doctors must be present for every vaginal delivery, but this is not the case at FAME. I did not anticipate this, but it has been amazing to be involved in vaginal deliveries since getting here.”
Talking about what she likes about the medical practice at FAME, Dr. Willey says that she loves the camaraderie between medical teams and that a single doctor gets to see all the patients in the ward.
“I participate in the ward rounds every morning and have learned much about general medicine since I came here. I have also experienced a different pace of work which I enjoy! I will be better at taking care of my patients now because I’m not only looking at them through the lens of an obstetrician-gynecologist, but I can now review their medicines, or discuss diabetes, hypertension and other disorders much better.”
“Dr. Metas and I are talking about coming back next year. She has been trying to come back to FAME for over a year and finally got some time off. I plan to bring my 6-month-old baby with me so I can stay a little longer.”
It is these types of partnerships, which provide consistent support year after year, that are crucial for the sustainability of our capacity-building work at FAME. Currently, we have partnerships with the University of Pennsylvania for neurology, Creighton University, Arizona for OB/GYN, Creighton University, Omaha for surgery, and Stanford University for anesthesiology.
FAME’s volunteer program is a rich, collaborative learning experience for our Tanzanian medical team and volunteers. Western-trained doctors, nurses and laboratory specialists from overseas medical communities work side by side with our Tanzanian medical professionals, sharing knowledge and expertise on behalf of patients. As part of our new strategic plan, FAME is now looking to its volunteer program more than ever to build the capacity of our team to align with the most pressing needs in the community.