Global Visitor Training Program

Program Overview:

The Global Visitor Training Program (GVTP) is designed to build capacity in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) and cell and gene therapies (CGT) capacity in low -and middle-income countries (LMIC) by providing a tailored training program for healthcare professionals. This comprehensive program will combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience in HCT/CGT practice, fostering a collaborative environment for knowledge exchange and skill development and nurturing a network of skilled practitioners committed to improving patient care in their home countries. The training is designed to address the specific needs of LMIC partner institutions and will be carried out at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Upon completing the training program, participants will return to their home institutions to implement the newly acquired knowledge and skills and develop a long-standing relationship to improve HCT/CGT in their home countries.

Program Objectives:

• Knowledge Enhancement: Provide participants with up-to-date knowledge on HCT/CGT practice.
• Skill Development: Provide participants with practical skills essential for implementing HCT/CGT programs, including training in clinical practice, laboratory techniques, and patient management.
• Networking Opportunities: The program offers a unique chance to connect and collaborate with fellow participants, mentors, and institutions. This ongoing support and development network will be valuable throughout your career.
• Implementation Strategies: Assist participants in developing actionable plans tailored to their local healthcare environments. Promote Sustainability by encouraging the establishment of local programs through knowledge transfer and resource sharing.

Eligibility:

The minimum qualification for application will be a clinical fellowship/MD in hematology/oncology with at least 2 years of experience in HCT/CGT. Early career physicians will be considered junior faculty members less than 5 years post-fellowship. Mid-career physicians will be defined as 5-10 years post-fellowship. In the first phase, we welcome applications for two 8-week positions (one from Jordan, one from Pakistan) for early career physicians and two (one from the King Hussein Cancer Center Jordan and one from the Pakistan Blood and Marrow Transplant Group) 4-week positions for mid-career physicians. The program is a unique opportunity to be part of an international collaboration, and we will expand to other partner LMIC institutions.

Support:

The program will cover:

• Accommodation for the duration of the training
• Round-trip airfare
• 50% support for daily living expenses for early career physicians (500$)

Responsibility of the applicant:

• Visa fees ($185) and daily living expenses for the duration of the training.

Criteria for Evaluation, Selection, and Notification:

University of Kansas Medical Center, Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, Global Health Program and The MRF Global Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Consortium will oversee the GVTP and select promising participants.

How to Apply:

Please submit the following application materials to [email protected]:

• Applicant’s Name, Title and academic rank, Institution, Address, Telephone, Email
• Applicant’s Curriculum Vitae
• Letter of Intent/ Statement from the applicant indicating the reasons the applicant is interested in the program, pertinent expertise, and commitment to HCT/CGT in the home country
• Statement indicating plans to make these life-saving therapies more accessible to underserved populations (for example, strengthening public institutions and public-private partnerships, non-profit or charitable/zakat-eligible care)
• Home Institution Letter of Support (must be written by the home institution department chair with the authority to commit to support for attendance at the program and to promote the implementation of training and skills gained at the home institution. Please describe the total number of HCT/CGT performed by the center, one-year survival for HCT, and the procedures performed in the year 2024)
• Mentor Letter of Support (must be written and submitted directly by the applicant’s supervisor at the home institution)

Follow-up:

We are committed to ensuring the program’s long-term impact. Therefore, we will provide a comprehensive evaluation at the end of the training and require your participation in follow-up evaluations one month, six months, and one year after the training.

Program Director:

Muhammad Umair Mushtaq, MD. Associate Professor of Medicine and Director GHP, Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center

Key Dates for the 2025 session:

• Application Deadline: March 31, 2025
• Applicants Notified: April 1, 2025
• Program:
  • Mid-career physicians: August 2025
  • Early career physicians: September-October 2025