U.S. Health Leadership: A Regional Project for Africa

Global Ties Iowa was honored to welcome a delegation from Africa for the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) project "U.S. Health Leadership: A Regional Project for Africa " from August 19-22, 2026. The delegation included 19 participants from Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Tunisia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and a representative of the African Union.  

Welcome to Iowa

The delegation arrived in Iowa City on August 19 and traveled to Element Iowa City before resting and preparing for two packed meeting days.  

Innovation and Health 

The delegation’s first meeting was on Thursday, August 20 with NeuroPred, an IT innovation company that combines advanced neuroimaging with predictive AI to improve stroke outcomes. NeuroPred leadership met with the delegation to discuss the company’s founding and growth, as well as its technology advances that have the potential to improve healthcare.   

Shortly after this meeting, the group travelled to meet with the Johnson County Department of Public Health’s Communicable Disease Program. Johnson County Department of Public Health’s Communicable Disease Program employs Disease Prevention Specialists (DPS) to investigate all lab-confirmed cases of reportable disease in Johnson County residents. The goal of the investigation is to identify the cause of disease and to prevent additional spread. Accompanied by volunteer Marigona Gashi, the group discussed informational campaigns and emergency preparedness for preventing the spread of disease in a rural county. 

Exploring Research and Local Organizations 

On Friday, August 21, the delegation started their day with a meeting at His Hands Free Clinic, a faith-based healthcare clinic that provides services for uninsured and underinsured patients.  Accompanied by volunteer and Board Co-Chair Lynn Ouedraogo, the group discussed the role of faith-based clinics in providing healthcare to community members, as well as how the organization partners with other local organizations. 

After this meeting, the group travelled to the University of Iowa Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (CEID) where they met up with Communications Coordinator Leila Assadi and Program Coordinator Anna O’Connor. CEID provides research and training in emerging infectious diseases, particularly those that are zoonotic and CEID’s research includes vector borne disease, anti-microbial resistance, and environmental, occupational, and wildlife exposures to infectious diseases.  During this meeting, the group discussed research and training related to understanding and controlling zoonotic infections.  

At the same meeting, the group was also given a tour of State Hygienic Laboratory. The State Hygienic Laboratory is Iowa’s environmental and public health laboratory, serving all 99 counties by testing and tracking infectious diseases and illnesses, performing newborn and maternal screening, and monitoring the air, water and soil for environmental contaminants.   

Afterwards, the group headed back to their hotel to pack and prepare for their early departure from the Eastern Iowa Airport the following morning. 

Thank You 

Throughout the week, the delegation engaged with local leaders and organizations such as Michal Brzus, NeuroPred, Sam Jarvis, Johnson County Department of Public Health’s Communicable Disease Program, Dawn Brouwers, Berlinda Owens, and Angie Melton, His Hands Free Clinic, Brandi Mandel, the State Hygienic Laboratory, University of Iowa Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Michael Pentella, Timileyin Adediran, and more. Additionally, thank you to our volunteers Lynn, Marigona, Leila, Anna, and Amy Alice Chastain! Your commitment to citizen diplomacy helps us continue connecting the world and the heartland.