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Through a transformational endowment from Bill and Carolyn Franke, Barrow established the Franke Global Neuroscience Education Center to improve access to advanced neuroscience care in the developing world by training physicians, researchers, nurses, and medical professionals at their site of origin. The Franke family’s generosity has inspired others to support Barrow Global, the largest and most expansive U.S.-based international neuroscience training program.
Driving Progress in East Africa
Before partnering with Barrow Global, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center (KCMC) in Tanzania, East Africa, performed only 20 neurosurgical procedures per year—a significant shortfall for a hospital serving over 15 million people. This past year, KCMC performed nearly 500 neurosurgical procedures.
Through the Barrow Global Train Forward model, our specialists provide sustainable resources for continued education and training. After Barrow Global assisted KCMC in obtaining accreditation to establish a neurosurgery residency program, the hospital is now training its own staff and recently welcomed its first two local neurosurgery residents.
Expanding Access to Excellence
The International Visiting Scholar and Clinical Observership Program continues to provide global neuroscience fellows, residents, medical students, and visiting scholars with the opportunity to learn advanced techniques and skills from renowned Barrow specialists. They can then apply what they learned in their home countries to improve treatment and care for patients.
Bridging the Gap in Neurological Care
Through the support of Barrow Neurological Foundation Board Trustee Markos Tambakeras and his wife, Pamela, Barrow Global Neurology partnered with the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, to establish a program that cross-trains neurologists from South Africa and the United States.
Left to right: Dr. John Ouma, Dr. Brad Racette, Markos Tambakeras, Dr. Huiam Mubarak, Dr. Andre Mochan and staff member at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Johannesburg.
As part of this bilateral exchange opportunity, Barrow neurology residents traveled to South Africa to participate in an immersive experience providing essential neurologic care to patients in both urban and rural settings. This past year, five Barrow neurology residents traveled to South Africa as part of the program.
Barrow neurology experts also provided training to international fellows from the University of the Witwatersrand, enabling them to return to South Africa and become catalysts fo neurology specialty care. Last year, Barrow hosted its first neurology fellow from the University of the Witwatersrand, Itumeleng Lamola, MD.
