Promise Heights Welcomes Global Health Practitioners from Nine Africa Countries to UMB

Photo Caption: After a tour around West Baltimore, four members of the delegation from African countries stop outside the University of Maryland Medical Center for “selfies” and light-hearted smiles.

On May 28th a delegation of approximately 40 visitors from several African nations joined Promise Heights Director, Bronwyn Mayden, the University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB) School of Nursing’s Office of Global Health, and the UMB Community Engagement Center on a tour around West Baltimore and met the neighborhood leaders and residents who work with us to strengthen the community. 

The African delegation —part of the University of Maryland School of Medicine and its Institute of Human Virology — had doctors, clinicians, public health researchers, public health practitioners, epidemiologists, HIV and pediatric specialists, etc., who came to UMB for the Inaugural Global Health Summit.

On the tour, they discussed persistent health disparities within Upton/Druid Heights, exchanged best practices around public health, and learned about the neighborhood’s rich history of African-American artists, musicians, and civil rights leaders who’ve changed the face of American life.

Once the group arrived at the Pennsylvania Avenue A.M.E. Zion Church, Angelise Shelby from B’more for Healthy Babies Upton/Druid Heights presented on the group’s work around maternal and infant health outcomes in the community. She also highlighted the importance of community collaboration, outreach, and community engagement strategies.  

The day was an opportunity to share best practices with global health practitioners working internationally as well as offering them a look into the work of Promise Heights, the University of Maryland Baltimore, and its community partners.