ADMINISTRATIVE:

• We continue to collaborate with Debbie Ungar at IU to update AMPATH/MAPAS México website so that it can serve as public platform to share / access SOPs and an online Visitor form, among other new features / content.
• Astellas two-year $500K grant for prostate, cervical, and breast cancer health literacy and early detection: LOA is signed.
• We received approval for a $15,000 CHEER Environmental Health Grant focused on “The Health Impacts of Eco-Stove Installation in Rural Community in Puebla, Mexico” starting June 1, 2023.
• The Title VI grant faculty travel grant for $2500 was increased to $2700 for this academic year, pending approval by the Dept of Education.
• Our second BUAP-UT Executive Committee meeting is scheduled for May 23rd. This monthly meeting will allow BUAP and UT leaders to focus on collaborate strategic guidance and decision-making.
• We have meet with BUAP’s Facultad de Medicina leadership, BUAP’s contact for receiving international grants, and UT’s Office of Sponsored Projects to determine the processes to create a subaward for BUAP and transfer funding.
• Received Redlined MOU for INSP from UT BCO.
• REDCap: We have nearly completed the process of transferring all data-gathering tools (e.g., SmartSheets, Qualtrics, Google forms, etc.) and created new data-gathering tools (e.g., Lilly REACH Metrics, Visitor Form, etc.) to REDCap to facilitate data collection and impact reporting.
• Mexico Project Coordinator: we have received four applications for this part-time contract role based in Mexico who will provide essential administrative support for on-the-ground initiatives and Becca’s work.
• At a systems level, there continues to be a push towards Federalization of the Healthcare System which means transitioning management of the finances, health workforce, and supply chain from the State Secretaria de Salud to IMSS Bienestar. While initially seemed Puebla would not join this initiative (governor who died was in strong opposition), it now seems more likely in some form. The interim governor is not opposing and the SSEP leader of the SSEP who historically also was strongly opposed, now is acquiescing a bit. Although a formal convenio has not been signed between IMSS at the federal level at the SSEP, some clinics are already being re-branded IMSS Bienestar, but the workers remain the same. This seems to be more related to who manages the resources. Implications: The full impact of this is not clear, other than to say that it is a time of uncertainty. Some Mexican states that already have started the federalization have adopted a hybrid model while others have completed federalized. So far this seems to most directly implicate who will be involved in the administration of financial and human resources. Yet it’s unclear if there will be changes in the organogram of Health System Leadership at the state level. Regardless, the Secretaria de Salud will continue to hold its position as regulatory health authority. Strategically for AMPATH this means that 1) we likely can expect additional delays in trying to sign an official convenio with SSEP and 2) it may be strategic to engage with IMSS.

EDUCATION:

• Monthly seminars:

• May 25, 2023, 6-7:30pm CT seminar. Dra. Laura Gomez of BUAP and Dra. Nelly Salgado de Synder of UT Austin will focus on mental health in marginalized communities in and around Puebla and Central Texas. Click here to register.

• Global Health Grand Rounds: April 27, 2023, 12-1pm CT, Juanita Constible shared her expertise on “How Can Health Professionals Help People Thrive in a Hotter World.” Click here to to view the recording.
• Three-week medical Spanish language intensive in Puebla: six Pediatric Residents were selected for the second academic year of this initiative. Two will go October-November, two will go in January-February, and two will go in March-April.

• May 5, 2023, Clinical Team Leader attended pediatric resident presentation of highlights/lessons learned on Puebla rotation and met with Tim Ruttan, the Assistant Director for Pediatrics at AMPATH/MAPAS México.
• May 12, 2023: Clinical Team Lead attended Pediatric Global Health Open House at Dell Children’s Hospital.

• Migrant Health Global Virtual Exchange: Collaborating with Dra. Marta Elba at BUAP to ensure this course is officially listed in fall 2023 classes at BUAP.
• BUAP’s New Simulation Center: Construction is almost complete and BUAP is mapping the curriculum and planning which parts will now take place a simulation center. Our team drafted a Concept Note and the BUAP Dean is appreciative of the idea of circulating for additional partnership for both partnership in both equipping (if we can help find external funds) and faculty training (via AMPATH network).

RESEARCH:

• RIAT & SOPs: We continue to complete the RIAT and develop relevant SOPs.
• Working Groups: Our team continues to support the seven Working Groups to meet and plan their community projects.

• April 17-23, 2023: Mental Health Education Working Group UT Co-PI Dr. Claire Selinger visited Puebla and met with her BUAP Co-PI Dra. Laura Gomez, visited the psychiatric hospital, and met with BUAP colleagues. They received $10,000 from the Hogg Foundation for at UT staff employee or graduate assistant to assist with programmatic/administrative support to launch ECHO.

• October 23 and 24, 2024 Puentes 4: We continue to plan for this collaborative research summit.

CARE:

• Dell Med published a blog post about the Jornada here.
• April 29, 2023: The Clinical Team Lead presented about AMPATH/MAPAS México program via Zoom at Global to Local Conference for Dell Med students.
• The Clinical Team Lead is scheduling planning calls with Project ECHO staff and BUAP to launch ECHO in fall.
• Community visit to San Francisco Xochiteopan (SFX) & Colonia Agrarista (CA): Conducted a SWOT analysis/360 feedback for health committee and clinic staff feedback about the first Jornada. They confirmed interest and commitment for next health outreach June 14-15th and we have begun planning/logistics.  Medication stock-outs at the clinic are a growing challenge and seems to be the primary reason people are not going to their clinical appointments. The medico pasante at the SFX health center said they last received meds in January 2023. Several articles published in Puebla press focus on the medication supply challenges of both SSEP and IMSS facilities.
• BUAP Facultad de Medicina Dr. Luis Vazquez and Clinical Team Lead met and covered various topics:

• SSEP engagement strategy: Dra. Gloria Ramos still has not provided a definitive response on the MOU but Dr. Luis also received her approval to meet with the Director for Primary Care & Public Health.
• BUAP’s financial processes for existing BUAP employees budgeted on grants. Potentially Provide an “honorarium” to the BUAP employee in addition to their base salary; need to confirm with legal and accounting. (AMBIA does not allow funding for salaries – UT or BUAP). Our team acknowledges that how to equitably, sustainably, and transparently engage in financial incentives/compensation for people we do not directly employee is one of the most complex aspects in Global Health.
• Hiring non-BUAP affiliated staff for AMPATH/MAPAS México projects (e.g., the Mexico Project Coordinator and Evaluation Working Group’s Research Assistant) will be  independent contractors with no legal laboral relationship with BUAP, even though they will be paid out of BUAP AMPATH/MAPAS México account.

UT Austin