During my global health rotation in Nairobi, I worked in the NICU, pediatric outpatient clinics, and the emergency department. I saw firsthand how care teams deliver high-quality pediatric care with limited resources and infrastructure.”
Christian Frey, a recent UTMB John Sealy School of Medicine graduate and Global Health Concentration student, spent four weeks in Kenya during his final year. His rotation exposed him to the clinical and public health realities of a low-resource setting, where providers often rely on deep expertise and adaptability rather than diagnostics or advanced imaging.
The experience reshaped how he thinks about patient care—and what it means to be resourceful in medicine.
“I witnessed the creativity and adaptability of physicians working under real constraints—and it gave me a new appreciation for the role of public health infrastructure in shaping outcomes.”
From neonatal care to outpatient follow-ups, Christian engaged in hands-on clinical learning while gaining deeper context on how prevention, education, and access influence population health. Outside of clinic hours, the experience also tested his endurance: he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in six days through nonstop rain and snow—an intense physical and mental challenge that mirrored the grit and perseverance he saw every day in the hospital.
“While I didn’t produce a poster or manuscript from my time in Kenya, I walked away with something just as valuable—a clearer understanding of my role as a globally minded physician.”
Christian’s rotation left a lasting mark on his approach to medicine. His clinical experiences were shaped not just by what he did, but by who he met—local providers, patients, and even guides who helped him summit Kilimanjaro. He also explored Nairobi’s cultural and natural landscape, including a close-up encounter with giraffes and baboons during a safari.
The trip challenged him, changed him, and prepared him to lead with empathy, adaptability, and global awareness.
