This is an enthusiastic letter of support for Dr. Mark Barry, the founder of COEDN.
My first exposure to this program was when I was recruited by Dr. Barry to participate as a mentor to several pediatric orthopedic surgeons-in training in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. I spent a month there in 2016 and am pleased to report the success of that endeavor. Those fellows subsequently passed the requisite examinations and are now recognized as fully qualified pediatric orthopedic surgeons. Importantly, they have since established their own training program.
Fast forward to 2020. I spent the month of February mentoring 4 prospective fellows at the CoRSU Hospital in Entebbe, Uganda. The COVID pandemic interceded and the program was put on pause for nearly 2 years. Presently, I am back in Uganda, helping to conclude the program. Three of them (one transferred out) are poised to take the requisite written examination in September and the oral examination in December. They are well trained and highly motivated, thanks to Dr. Barry, and I believe that success is again imminent.
I have the highest regard for Dr. Barry. His personal dedication to the unique cause of training pediatric subspecialists in sub-Saharan Africa has required focus and logistical foresight. His organizational skills are unsurpassed; it is a daunting task to recruit orthopedic veterans such as myself and coordinate their participation in a focused project.
Peter Stevens M.D.
Salt Lake City, Utah
The COEDN model for training Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeons in their own countries working with local patients and families, resources and disease or deformity mix is an effective mechanism to provide rigor, skills and knowledge compared to the traditional model of sending trainees to more developed countries to train. My experience as a trainer in Uganda has convinced me that this is not only a successful model but the best way to advance the quality of specialty care in most counties with resource limitations.
Through Mark Barry’s leadership this model has already been proven effective in Uganda and Tanzania. This also prevents the inevitable loss of talent that studies have shown to occur when talented surgeons leave to train in high income countries. It is not only the acquisition of technical skills but also gaining the academic knowledge to be able to critically self evaluate the quality of care that these trainees receive that makes this model so successful.
John H. Wedge, O.C., MD, FRCSC
Toronto, Canada
Improving health care in developing countries is an effort I wanted to join as I approached retirement. The COEDN model of being a teacher to locally trained surgeons is a model that I feel will make long lasting impact.
My experience working at CoRSU as a trainer showed me how useful and powerful this model is. The locally trained surgeons very quickly understood and were able to integrate new techniques for improving care into their practice.
This COEDN model of teaching in the environment where the surgeons will continue to practice is the ideal model because they learn to apply the resources available to the local patient’s needs.
Freeman Miller M.D.
Wilmington, DE
The COEDN fellowship model is distinct in that it provides local hands-on training for fellows on the pediatric orthopedic pathologies they will encounter in their daily practice. Fellows are considered the teachers of tomorrow and receive preparation accordingly. They take advantage of a unique opportunity to learn from a diverse group of international experts and leaders in the field of pediatric orthopedics who will provide specialized teaching throughout the fellowship period.
The COEDN fellowship model not only equips them with tools to advance medical knowledge but also trains them as leaders in pediatric orthopedics in their country, creating a virtuous cycle of knowledge transfer to future fellows.
Federico Canavese M.D.
Lille, France