Revolutionizing Healthcare in Ethiopia: The Healthcare Simulation Educational Exchange
Written by Office of Alumni Affairs Intern Sandhya Lohano
Amid the vibrant culture and busy cities of Ethiopia, an alumni-led Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund (CDAF) and Mandela Washington Fellowship (MWF) project has helped reshape the landscape of emergency medical services (EMS). As the project lead for the Healthcare Simulation Educational Exchange project, Lee Wittmann, the Director of Healthcare Simulation and Innovation at Appalachian State University, led a training program that equipped Ethiopian nurses with skills and knowledge to serve as emergency first responders in their communities.
Lee’s journey is one of resilience and determination, starting from a life-changing experience during his time as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana. After developing a severe illness that forced him to leave Ghana early, he came out of his experience with a completely new goal and purpose – to bring emergency medical services to underserved regions across Ethiopia. Over the past three decades, Lee has worked tirelessly toward this goal, establishing EMS systems and training healthcare professionals throughout the country.
The start of the Healthcare Simulation Educational Exchange project marked a significant milestone in Lee’s mission. Partnering with Hawassa University in Ethiopia, Lee and his team embarked on a collaborative effort to train more than 200 nurses to serve on Ethiopia’s first national modern EMS system. The program, which took place in June 2023, immersed participants in an intensive two-week training course, using high fidelity simulation mannequins to replicate real-life emergency scenarios. Through hands-on training and scenario-based learning, the nurses acquired essential skills in airway management, trauma care, and resilience building, preparing them to deliver critical care in the field.
During planning and preparation for the project, Lee’s visit to Ethiopia highlighted the harsh realities of healthcare in the country as he witnessed overcrowded clinics lacking basic supplies and essential medical equipment. This experience solidified Lee’s commitment to effecting lasting change in the country.
The journey to bring this project to life was made possible through collaboration with two offices in the U.S. Department of State. Lee won grants from both the Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund (CDAF), a $10,000 small grant offered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ Office of Alumni Affairs, and the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. With these grants, Lee and his team were able to secure the high fidelity simulation mannequins that ensured that the training was tailored to the specific needs of the Ethiopian healthcare providers.
As Lee reflects on his journey, he is filled with a sense of purpose and gratitude. From his humble beginnings as a Peace Corps volunteer to his current role as a leader for emergency healthcare in Ethiopia, and now through the Healthcare Simulation Educational Exchange project, Lee is on the way to saving countless lives and transform the healthcare landscape in Ethiopia and beyond – paving the way for a brighter, healthier future for generations to come.