title: Building communities of practice: MEPI creates a commons.
abstract: The Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI) supports medical education capacity development, retention, and research in Sub-Saharan African institutions. Today, MEPI comprises more than 40 medical schools in Africa and 20 in the United States. Since 2011, the MEPI Coordinating Center, working with the MEPI schools and the U.S. government, has laid the groundwork and served as a catalyst for the creation and development of MEPI "communities of practice" (CoPs). These CoPs encompass seven components, some of which are virtual while others are tangible. They include technical working groups, principal investigator site visit exchanges, an annual symposium, a MEPI journal supplement, the MEPI Web site, newsletters, and webinars. Despite certain challenges and the question of sustainability, the presence within the MEPI network of an organization focused on promoting group consciousness and facilitating collaborative projects is an asset that is likely to continue to pay dividends for the foreseeable future.
authors: Dr. Frehywot is associate research professor, Departments of Health Policy and Global Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC. Dr. Mullan is Murdock Head Professor of Medicine and Health Policy, George Washington University, Washington, DC. Dr. Vovides is assistant professor, Learning Design and Research Specialist, Georgetown University, Department of Communication, Culture, and Technology, Washington, DC. Ms. Korhumel is systems administrator, George Washington University, Washington, DC. Ms. Chale is research and communication consultant, George Washington University, Washington, DC. Ms. Infanzon is research associate, George Washington University, Washington, DC. Dr. Kiguli-Malwadde is director, African Center for Global Health and Social Transformation (ACHEST), and associate professor, Department of Radiology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. Dr. Omaswa is executive director, African Center for Global Health and Social Transformation (ACHEST), Kampala, Uganda.
authors: Seble
authors: S
authors: Frehywot
authors: Fitzhugh
authors: F
authors: Mullan
authors: Yianna
authors: Y
authors: Vovides
authors: Kristine
authors: K
authors: Korhumel
authors: Selamawit Bedada
authors: SB
authors: Chale
authors: Alexandra
authors: A
authors: Infanzon
authors: Elsie
authors: E
authors: Kiguli-Malwadde
authors: Francis
authors: F
authors: Omaswa
mesh_terms: D017954:Africa South of the Sahara; D057191:Capacity Building; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D007391:International Cooperation; D007393:International Educational Exchange; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D020380:Needs Assessment; D012577:Schools, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States