Lewis Katz School of Medicine and School of Pharmacy collaborate to improve global health education

June 10, 2026 - 22:50

A new partnership between Temple University's Lewis Katz School of Medicine and its School of Pharmacy is working to reshape how students prepare for global health challenges. The collaboration operates through the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare, known as AMPATH Ghana, which connects Temple faculty and students directly with healthcare educators, pharmacists, and trainees in Ghana.

The initiative focuses on closing the gap between what students learn in lectures and what they actually face in clinical settings abroad. In Ghana, Temple participants work alongside local partners to identify weak spots in training, especially where classroom theory does not match real-world pharmacy or medical practice. For example, students might help design practical workshops that teach how to manage drug shortages or handle patient counseling in low-resource environments.

Faculty members say the exchange benefits both sides. Temple students gain hands-on experience with health systems that operate under severe constraints, while Ghanaian partners receive fresh perspectives on curriculum design and patient care strategies. The program also encourages long-term relationships, with some Temple participants returning multiple times to continue projects.

Organizers hope the model can be expanded to other countries. By linking medicine and pharmacy training directly, they aim to produce graduates who are better prepared to work in diverse settings, whether in urban hospitals or rural clinics. The effort underscores a shift toward more collaborative, practical global health education that prioritizes local needs over top-down solutions.