Dr. Matt Dacso, director of academic partnerships at the University of Texas Medical Branch Center for Global and Community Health, is one of seven people that Medical Bridges recently named Global Health Heroes.

Medical Bridges, a non-profit organization based in Houston that mobilizes medical supplies around the world, will honor Dacso and the other heroes Dec. 9 at the 20th Annual International One People One World Gala. 

“He inspires a cohort of students, residents and faculty to create partnerships across multilateral organizations and academic institutions to strengthen health systems worldwide,” the organization said.

“I just connect amazing people,” Dacso said. “There are so many involved. This honor is more on behalf of all those who have worked in global health.”

Dacso lived for two years in Gaborone, Botswana, where he collaborated with local leaders to establish the first internal medicine residency at the University of Botswana, created communicable disease treatment guidelines, and treated patients with HIV, tuberculosis and other severe illnesses.

“His experience in Botswana, Argentina, Peru, Dominican Republic, Kenya, Uganda and other countries, makes him an excellent leader of the UTMB School of Medicine global health track,” the organization said.

While a significant amount of U.S. global funding is allocated to eradicate polio, treat malaria, end HIV and treat specific diseases, Dacso argues that critical global health initiatives such as training are overlooked but much needed to keep diverse populations safe.

Dacso earned a master’s degree in international development studies at the University of London School of Oriental and African Studies while he was in medical school at UTMB. He received his medical degree in 2006.

Medical Bridges works with healthcare providers around the world that care for communities in resource-limited settings. The organization shares Dacso’s interest in socioeconomic issues. Dacso met Walter Ulrich, the president and CEO of Medical Bridges, at an UTMB Global Health Education Symposium. 

“Last held in October 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual symposium would showcase the work that our students and faculty do alongside our long-standing international collaborators, and would bring local, regional, and global partners to campus to discuss themes relevant to improving global health, both at home and abroad,” Dacso said. “Dr. Ulrich attended two symposia and was quite impressed with the work that our students did. He also expressed appreciation at the fact that we had structured their projects within long-standing collaborations with international partners.”