Ephrem Aboneh, PhD graduate student working with Michelle Chui, assistant professor in the Social and Administrative Sciences Division, is the recipient of a Global Health Institute Award to identify hazards, strategies, and recommendations to improve medication safety at Black Lion Hospital in Ethiopia, Africa.

The proposal builds on an existing collaboration between the UW-Madison and the College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University/Black Lion Hospital in Ethiopia. Study methodology at Black Lion Hospital will include an extensive literature review, observation, and two sets of interviews– guided by the SEIPS Model. Data will be collected and analyzed using rigorous qualitative methods in order to develop a set of recommendations.

The UW-Madison and College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University/Black Lion Hospital partnership has supported the launch of a postgraduate residency training program in emergency medicine and has trained several healthcare providers in quality improvement methodologies. Faculty and staff from the respective Schools have traveled to each other’s facilities, conducted and received training in emergency medicine, and shared experiences. Prior to coming to Madison, Aboneh worked at the College of Health Sciences/School of Pharmacy, Addis Ababa University, and was involved in the quality improvement efforts of the hospital.

The Graduate Student Research Awards in Global Health support PhD students pursuing innovative research in any relevant discipline. The awards of up to $5,000 recognize efforts of those who are exploring potential topics that will enhance global health activities at the UW-Madison and beyond. This is the first time a UW-Madison School of Pharmacy graduate student has received the award.