Carolyn Guarino recounts a visit to Southern Arizona and Agua Prieta, highlighting healthcare challenges and community resilience. She observes vacant housing, provider shortages, and limited resources, especially in rural and border areas. Visits to clinics and a rehabilitation center reveal dedicated staff and strong local support systems. The trip underscores stark disparities but also compassion, collaboration, and the importance of exposing students to real-world health

In May 2026, the Global Health Academy team visited Chiricahua Community Health Centers in Cochise County, Arizona, to explore its potential as a domestic global health elective site. The visit highlighted the region’s unique border health dynamics, strong community-based care model, and opportunities for binational training. The team was inspired by CCHCI’s impact and the potential for meaningful, community-engaged education.

During a week on the ward and in the operating theatre, Brian Sheridan reflects on adapting to a resource-limited yet highly skilled clinical environment. He observed uncommon conditions, strong clinical reasoning, and remarkable patient resilience. The experience highlighted cultural differences in care, the emotional toll of medicine, and the importance of teamwork, compassion, and shared purpose in delivering care under challenging conditions.

The 2026 Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain, highlights risks in fragile, conflict-affected health systems. With no approved vaccine and cases reaching urban centers, containment is difficult. The situation underscores the need for strong surveillance, rapid response, and global cooperation.