A Collaborative Partnership: The Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Center for Global Health (CGH) invited five staff members from Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST)and Global Health Collaborative (GHC) to participate in a two-week nurse leadership training and trainer of trainees program in Boston, Massachusetts, from July 13-26, 2024.
Training Focus
The leadership program aimed to enhance leadership skills among nursing professionals and leaders involved in teaching, research, and global health work.
Participants focused on team building(empowerment, delegation and accountability), reflective practice, communication skills, Advocacy , and coaching among others. The training was led by Ms. Annet Kembabazi (GHC) and Ms. Hanifa Nantongo under the mentorship of Ms. Mary Sebert (Director of Global Nursing at MGH)
Participants
-Leadership Training course: Dr. Janat Kasozi (PhD), Mr. Raymond Tumwesigye, and Ms. Rhina Mushagara.
-Trainer of Trainees Ms. Hanifa Nantongo and Ms. Annet Kembabazi.
-Lead mentors: Ms. Mary Sebert and Ms. Skeeter Welder
MGH-MUST Partnership
MGH and MUST have a longstanding partnership spanning over 15 years, focused on research, education, clinical care, community engagement and innovation. The First Mile initiative, launched in 2018, specifically targets nursing leadership and capacity building.
Training Goals
The training aimed to cultivate strong nursing leaders capable of advocating for their colleagues, students, and patients. By empowering nurses as leaders, the program seeks to improve healthcare quality and efficiency.
Training Methodology
Participants engaged in 7 days of classroom learning and 3 days clinical observations at MGH, mentored by experienced nurse leaders. The program emphasized practical application of leadership principles.
Raymond Tumwesigye: Emphasized the transformative nature of the program,focusing on self-awareness, communication, and team building. We delved deep into self-awareness, learning to understand my strengths andweaknesses as a leader. Effective communication, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving were also core components of the program. I developed practical tools for building and leading teams, fostering collaboration, and managing conflict.
The course also emphasized the importance of reflection and continuous learning. I was equipped with coaching strategies to guide students and nurture mentor-mentee relationships. Understanding the nuances between advocacy and lobbying was enlightening, and I gained valuable skills in influencing policy and driving positive change.
Beyond the academic content, I immersed myself in American culture through various activities and excursions. Exploring Boston, whale watching, and interacting with fellow participants created lasting memories.
Dr. Janat Kasozi: Highlighted the program’s impact on enhancing leadership skills and its alignment with her PhD research.
I recently completed a transformative two-week nurse leadership training in Boston. The experience significantly enhanced my communication, decision-making, problem-solving, and teamwork abilities. Shadowing clinical nurses in a psychiatric unit provided invaluable insights into patient care. I'm excited to apply my newfound knowledge to improve nursing practices and support my colleagues and students in their professional growth. Additionally, I had the privilege of presenting my PhD research on integrating the International HIV Dementia Scale into HIV care at TASO centers in Uganda. My client-centered screening model aims to improve early detection of neurocognitive issues in people living with HIV.
Rhina Mushagara: Shared her learning outcomes, including improved interpersonal skills, collaboration, and advocacy.Facilitated by Mary Sebert, Director Nursing at MGH, the leadership training program was the necessity of enhancing the leadership capacity of today’s
leaders in the rapidly evolving healthcare environment worldwide.
With a purpose to provide interactive program to enhance the leadership skills of nurses and other professionals to enable them to effectively guide individuals,teams and organizations. My learning outcomes included:
- Able to develop and practice interpersonal skills such as effective
communication, providing constructive feedback, managing conflict or change,
and coaching team members to foster positive working relationships. - Collaborating with fellow decision makers at work to create innovative
approaches to address and solve complex situations more effectively. - Advocate for and influence policy and procedural changes to contribute to the
transformation of the healthcare system, aiming for improved healthcare
outcomes, whether patient-focused or system-wide.
Hanifa Nantongo: Described her goal of becoming a nursing leadership trainer and the value of her IPC observership.
She described her goal of becoming a nursing leadership trainer and the value of her IPC observership. Recently I completed a nursing leadership training course with a focus on becoming a trainer for nursing students and peers. Given the lack of leadership skills training in most nursing programs, I saw this as a valuable opportunity to enhance my capabilities. During my two-week stay at MGH, I was eager to gain hands-on experience and requested an observership in the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) department. This experience provided me with invaluable insights into IPC practices. I am excited to share the knowledge and skills I acquired with my colleagues and students upon my return.
Annet Kemabazi
Deputy Program Director/ Senior Program Manager GHC
The leadership training course at MGH is a necessity for all people in leadership if we are to achieve desirable health outcomes, especially for people in medical fields. The teams that we manage need to be listened to, advocated for, coached, mentored, and most importantly, empowered to achieve their full potentials. “If only we can understand what each and every one goes through,work will be loved and enjoyed by everybody.” I am more than ready to mentor the upcoming leaders in all spheres of life.
To our partners in Boston led by Prof. Louise Ivers Director MGH Center for Global Health we are so indebted to you and your committed staff in relation to skills enhancement. On behalf of the entire university community, I extend our sincerest gratitude for your invaluable contribution to the enrichment of our leadership landscape. The acquired skills have undoubtedly illuminated new pathways for our staff and faculty to navigate the complexities of leadership. We are truly honored by your willingness to share your knowledge and experience with us. Your generosity of spirit is an inspiration, and we are immensely grateful for your support. Thank you once again for your exceptional presentation. Dr. Joseph Ngonzi (Associate Professor ) the Dean Faculty of Medicine
