What difference did you make through your Sister Center partnership?
The Guatemala-US partnership has evolved into a deeply collaborative exchange bringing significant rewards to both entities. The initial aim – to identify, describe and study Mesoamerican Nephropathy in Guatemala – has grown into a multifaceted alliance that combines mentorship and the exchange of educational information with capacity building and direct healthcare assistance. With dozens of doctors and nurses participating between the two countries, and hundreds of patients benefiting from the knowledge shared, there has been an overwhelmingly enthusiastic reception from the Fellows and Nursing staff at both institutions. On the heels of their support, the Annual Nephrology Symposium – this year held virtually with over 200 participants –reaches beyond Guatemala into the Caribbean and other Central and South American countries.
What does the future look like?
Now that San Carlos University has reached Level A of the Sister Center program and their Fellows have gone on to practice throughout the country, the next phase will involve expanding the program to another country, where San Carlos University will serve as a key mentor, creating a ripple effect that will hopefully echo throughout the Spanish-speaking world.