For Melanie Sion, Assistant Professor of Surgery (General, Trauma & Surgical Critical Care), the Yale Global Surgery Network (YGSN) is emblematic of why she came to Yale – to combine her expertise in medicine with her interest in global health. Through the network, she has been able to build connections with other individuals interested in improving surgical outcomes around the world.
The Yale Global Surgery Network meets to discuss careers in surgery and how surgical expertise can be used to help the international community. It provides a central place for reflection and support for people to discuss the challenges and successes of global surgery. The YGSN is not limited to faculty and students from the School of Medicine– it has also engaged with the Yale School of Public Health, Yale School of Nursing, and the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Yale.
“This type of work is the antidote to burnout– it’s very rewarding work,” said Sion. “For me, it satisfies this core value I have to make the world a better place.”
Every summer, Dr. Sion spends several weeks at the Department of Surgery in Kamuzu Central Hospital, in Malawi’s capital of Lilongwe. The first time she went to Kamuzu Central Hospital was when she was a resident in 2013. At that time, only one of the surgical attendings was a native Malawian. Since then, the surgical training program has grown. Today, when Dr. Sion walks through the main corridor of the surgical center, every attending physician is from Malawi. Over the last twelve years, the program has been able to train and retain attending physicians in a diverse range of specialties, including orthopedic surgeons, surgical oncologists, and general surgeons.
One of the hallmarks of the YGSN is building bridges between students and residents at Yale and learners in Malawi. Through opportunities facilitated by Yale, students have had the opportunity to travel to Malawi and build meaningful relationships with colleagues at Kamuzu Central Hospital. Several students have published research in collaboration with their Malawian counterparts. One student even made a documentary showcasing a day in the life of a female Malawian medical student, titled “Through Her Eyes.” Students and faculty alike have been able to develop professional connections and a social network with their peers in Malawi, positioning them as better surgeons, researchers, and advocates.