The Global Health Program (GHP) at the David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA has evolved significantly since its inception to become a dynamic force for international medical collaboration and education. Previously known at the medical school as the Center for World Health under the leadership of Dr. Tom Coates, the program was rebranded to reflect a broader mission through the vision of multiple faculty members under the leadership of Dr. Sad Sayeed.

One of GHP’s earliest and most impactful partnerships began in Mozambique in 2008, catalyzed by a chance encounter in Los Angeles between Dr. Lee Miller and a Mozambican couple. This fortuitous meeting led to a site visit in Maputo, where the dire need for pediatric care was evident—at the time, the country had a very low number of pediatricians serving a population where nearly half were children. Recognizing the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution, UCLA launched a long-term partnership focused on pediatric training and care with Hospital Central de Maputo (HCM) and the Universidade Eduardo Mondlane Faculty of Medicine (UEM).

Associate Professor of Pediatrics Dr. Chris Buck joined the UCLA faculty in 2015 to lead the Mozambique initiative and additional partnerships in South Africa and Brazil. Mozambique benefits from a full-time UCLA clinician, ensuring continuity and depth in both clinical care and academic mentorship. In addition, multiple pediatric faculty members from the UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital have contributed to the training efforts in Maputo. The program is deeply committed to equitable partnerships, moving beyond short-term student rotations to providing sustained, collaborative support.

Over the years, GHP has grown to include 19 affiliated sites across the globe, each with its own model of engagement, such as the Malawi program that has rotating DGSOM faculty members and learners from the Department of Internal Medicine providing clinical coverage and training throughout the year. Mozambique stands out not only for its longevity but also for its three-way partnership with the Brazilian medical school Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS) in Porto Alegre. This Lusophone collaboration has enabled Mozambican trainees to receive immersive clinical education in Portuguese-speaking environments, bypassing the language barriers and legal requirements that often limit opportunities in English-speaking countries. Brazilian students also rotate through UCLA and Mozambique, creating an equitable and reciprocal exchange.

The program has had a profound impact on medical education through its funded research and clinical rotations. UCLA medical students engage with GHP through structured pathways and clinical electives, including pre-departure training and mentorship throughout their academic journey. The medical school’s new HEALS curriculum includes a “Discovery Experience” in the third year, allowing students to conduct research and build long-term relationships with international sites. Dr. Buck emphasizes the importance of these formative experiences, encouraging students to explore cultural and social determinants of health alongside clinical practice.

Beyond education, GHP has made tangible contributions to human resources for health in Mozambique. One standout example is the development of Mozambique’s pediatric surgery residency program, spearheaded by DGSOM’s Dr. Daniel DeUgarte. His efforts helped double the number of pediatric surgeons in the country, with graduates now serving as educators themselves. This model of capacity building—training trainers and fostering sustainability—is central to GHP’s work.

The program also includes a robust research pillar that has grown significantly in recent years. In partnership with HCM and UEM, UCLA created a pediatric clinical research unit that has led multiple studies on illnesses including HIV, pneumonia, malaria, and meningitis. These efforts not only advance global health knowledge but also empower Mozambican researchers to lead future trials.

Dr. Buck’s leadership and mentorship have inspired a new generation of UCLA students, many of whom have gone on to conduct impactful work in countries across Africa and Latin America. The program’s emphasis on cultural humility, longitudinal engagement, and equity ensures that its global footprint is both meaningful and sustainable.

As GHP continues to evolve under new leadership, its mission remains clear: to foster global partnerships that are collaborative, reciprocal, and transformative—not just for UCLA students, but for the communities they serve.