Harare, Zimbabwe

Our department has had a long history of international outreach, pioneered by 23-year Stanford veteran and emeritus professor, Anna Messner, MD. Dr. Messner has had an enduring interest in medical care in developing countries, having spent time in Peru and Ecuador. As is the recipient of the 2011 Humanitarian Award from the American Academy of Otolaryngology for her work in South America, she was asked in 2012 to participate in an NIH-funded program through Stanford University’s Center for Innovation in Global Health (CIGH). In partnership with the University of Zimbabwe (UZ), the program seeks to transform medical education in Zimbabwe.

There are seven otolaryngologists for Zimbabwe’s 14 million people. Dr. Clemence Chidziva established an ENT residency program at UZ in the capital, Harare, in 2011. Dr. Messner was one of the first international faculty recruited by Dr. Chidziva to help nurture the new residency and establish a mutually fruitful relationship that continues to grow.

Since Dr. Messner’s first visit, a number of faculty have followed, including Drs. Vasu Divi (head & neck), Eduardo Corrales (otology), Peter Koltai (pediatric otolaryngology), Lisa Orloff (head & neck), and Douglas Sidell (pediatric otolaryngology). Our residents have also spent time at UZ gaining invaluable experiences unique to global health.

In spring of 2016, we had the pleasure of hosting our first UZ residents at Stanford.