Global Health Equity

Our mission

Improving access to safe anesthesia care worldwide through education, research, and policy.

About us

Anesthesia, surgery, and pain management have historically been neglected by the global public health community. In 2006 it was estimated that 11% of the global burden of disease could be treated by surgical intervention with a larger but uncertain proportion of disease burden treatable with pain and palliative care services. Only recently have data become available that demonstrate inadequate access to surgical and anesthesia services is a much larger problem than initially predicted, and one that can no longer be ignored.

UCSF has one of the longest experiences in formalized global health education and research in the United States. The Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care has supported numerous global health initiatives for the past 25 years and worked closely to support several longstanding partnerships including Global Partners in Anesthesia and Surgery and Operation Rainbow. These programs have focused on multidisciplinary research, education and policy efforts that aim to improve equitable access to quality surgical, anesthesia and pain services worldwide.

Our history

In 2015, the Department created the first Division of Global Health Equity in the US and began fundraising to establish a Global Health Endowment to support projects focusing on health equity both domestically and internationally. In 2020, the Anesthesia Division of Global Health Equity merged with multiple similar initiatives across 11 UCSF departments to bring together > 250 faculty and trainees to launch the UCSF Center for Health Equity in Surgery and Anesthesia (CHESA). At this time, all of our training opportunities, projects and grants are run through CHESA.

UCSF, CHESA and the Anesthesia Division of Global Health Equity are committed to supporting anesthesia trainees and faculty both at UCSF and at partnering institutions around the world.

Global Health Pathway

For anesthesia residents seeking additional global health training, mentorship, and elective time, we offer a dedicated Global Health Pathway as part of the multidisciplinary, campus-wide Global Health Clinical Scholars Program. This pathway requires completion of the Global Health Sciences (GHS) 101 course during CA-1 year and the GHS 211 course during three weeks of non-clinical global health time during the CA-2 year. Global Health Pathway Residents also receive up to three months during CA-3 year to participate in global health education, research, and policy projects both domestically and internationally.

Applications for the Global Health Resident Pathway are due February 15 during the CA-1 year. (Application info)

Clinical Service

Residents during their CA-3 year are provided an opportunity to accompany UCSF faculty in Central and South America to participate in 1-week clinical service trips. These opportunities take place through a long-term partnership between the Department of Anesthesia & Perioperative Care and the non-profit Operation Rainbow. Residents work closely with attendings to provide preop, intraop, and postop care for a wide range of surgical conditions in resource-limited practice settings. In addition to clinical teaching provided during the trip, residents are provided the opportunity to participate in a hands-on, pre-trip curriculum to develop clinical skills and familiarity with cultural and ethical issues relevant to the practice of anesthesia in resource-limited settings.

Medical Students

The Anesthesia Division of Global Health Equity is excited to provide opportunities for medical students who are interested in our mission. Minimum project time off campus is generally 8 weeks and students must attempt to secure their own funding (see sources below). Students are encouraged to consider a full yearlong project after MSIII year. Please send inquiries along with your current CV to [email protected]