Dr. Jina Libby and Dr. Laurenie Louissaint: Global Health Spotlight: Rehabilitation Medicine in Namibia, Part 1

RUSK Insights on Rehabilitation Medicine

Dr. Jina Libby completed her PM&R residency in Michigan. Her dedication to that profession and sports medicine extends beyond clinical practice as she serves on the executive committee for the International Rehab and Global Health Committee of AAPM&R. Her fervor for education is evident through her commitment to teaching physical medicine and rehabilitation, not only locally, but also by championing its integration on an international scale.

Beyond her current role as a fellow physician, Dr. Laurenie Louissaint's compassionate spirit leads her on frequent global impact trips, where she provides critical medical support to underserved communities, such as Haiti and Namibia. She also is an active member of the New York City cycling community while also providing medical care for injured cyclists and developing related research.

Part 1

The discussion in Part 1 included the following items: demographic aspects of Namibia, major health problems in that nation, how health care is financed, similarities with western allopathic health practices, use of traditional and alternative health care interventions, status of health professions educational institutions, and nature of the auspices sponsoring the visitation trip by U.S. clinicians to that country.

Part 2

The discussion in Part 2 included the following items: types of health professionals in the group visiting Namibia, kinds of Namibian practitioners interacted with during the visit, most evident aspects of health care in that nation where improvements would appear to be beneficial, possibly reversing the flow of clinicians to enable Namibians to spend time in U.S. clinical facilities, and health professional literature produced in that country.