Written by Matt Jalink, Community Health & Epidemiology student at Dalhousie University
December 2016
Megan Chipp has been actively involved in the global health community at Dalhousie University in a variety of capacities. I sat down with Megan and talk about her transition to her new position with the Office of International Relations.
What past education and experience in the global health field lead you to your new position as the International Partnerships Coordinator?
While working at the Coady International Institute, a world-renowned centre of excellence in community-based development and leadership education at StFX, I completed my masters in adult education. This position exposed me to a wide array of international development issues including global health. In early 2010, I joined the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University. I started with the Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine. When the Departments of Surgery and Obstetrics & Gynaecology decided to focus more efforts in global health, we collaborated to develop a shared coordinating position between three departments. I was the Global Health Coordinator for these department until transitioning to the Office of International Relations in November 2016.
Can you highlight some of the works and specific projects you undertook while working in these three departments?
In Anesthesia, I was primarily responsible for developing and coordinating a longstanding partnership with the University of Rwanda. Anesthesia staff and residents from Dalhousie have and continue to go to the University of Rwanda to help instruct local anesthesiologists and anesthesia trainees. An exciting part of this partnership is that two Rwandan anesthesia residents come to Dalhousie for a 3-4 month rotation biannually. The next cohort will arrive in March 2017.
This past year, I also coordinated an interdisciplinary conference called the Bethune Round Table. This was a collaborative project between the three departments and was a huge success. The annual conference aims to bring together surgeons, anesthesiologists, obstetricians, and nurses to discuss challenges and solutions to improving surgical care to underserviced and marginalized populations. Dalhousie hosted for the first time in 2016.
In addition to internationally-focused activities, the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology is involved with several local global health partnerships in Halifax. We worked with organizations such as the North End Community Health Centre and Phoenix Youth. The programs are aimed at clinical and educational services for women and youth.
How has your work from these medical departments influenced your transition to your new position with the Office of International Relations?
A substantial proportion of my work in my previous position involved working with international partners. This new position as the International Partnerships Coordinator (IPC) has some similarities, though on a much broader scale. In the IPC position, I will support the delivery of Dalhousie’s university-wide international strategy and work with various Dalhousie departments, including the International Centre and the Global Health Office, on developing and maintaining strong international partnerships.
How do you see global health incorporating into you new position?
Successful international partnerships within the Faculty of Medicine are an important component of Dalhousie’s international strategy. The Dalhousie International Strategy Committee has representation from the Global Health Office and my appointment can add additional perspective from this community.
What interests you most about your new position?
Similar to my last position, I enjoy working with people who value international collaboration. Discussing issues and challenges from new perspectives with people who share common values is exciting. I am keen to learn more about the breadth of university partnerships across various disciplines.
On behalf of the Global Health Office I would like to thank Megan for all the work she has done in the Faculty of Medicine and congratulate her on her new position as the International Partnerships Coordinator with the Office of International Relations.
Coady International Institute
Bethune Round Table 2016
Dalhousie University Office of International Relations: