Dr. Jessica Schmidt, associate professor and division chief of global health in the Department of Emergency Medicine, has been named a 2024-2025 Fulbright US Scholar. Schmidt is one of 11 scholars at the University of Wisconsin–Madison to receive this prestigious honor, selected by the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.
The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program promotes international cooperation and cultural exchange through academic research and collaboration. Schmidt’s award, provided through the Fulbright Africa Regional Research Program, will advance research in Rwanda on pediatric health and emergency medical care.
Point of Care Ultrasound Research in Rwanda
Schmidt will return to Rwanda in January 2025, building on her prior collaborative work in Kigali as a visiting ultrasound faculty for the country’s first emergency medicine residency. Her research, in collaboration with partners at the University of Rwanda, will assess pediatric patients with respiratory issues, specifically focusing on suspected pneumonia cases.
Schmidt will also lead collaborative efforts to build research capacity and emergency medical care in Rwanda’s limited resource settings. Schmidt says she is passionate about developing sustainable healthcare solutions in East Africa. Her leadership in such efforts aligns closely with the Fulbright Program’s mission to foster meaningful partnerships between U.S. scholars and their international counterparts.
“I’m thrilled to return to Rwanda and work alongside colleagues to advance research and emergency care, especially for kids,” Schmidt said. “The Fulbright Program’s commitment to scholarship and cultural exchange makes it a perfect opportunity to deepen UW’s partnerships and further explore research that can make a lasting difference.”
Pioneering Ultrasound Training in the Region
Schmidt’s contributions to health care in East Africa go beyond research. In 2019, she established the “Ultrasound Uganda” initiative in connection with Ugandan colleagues in Mbale to teach clinical ultrasound to local healthcare providers. The program has been instrumental in improving diagnostic capabilities and healthcare delivery in the region.
Earlier this year, Schmidt led a team of global educators to conduct their first major point-of-care ultrasound training in Uganda since the pandemic, continuing a mission she spearheaded in pre-COVID training sessions. These efforts reflect her deep commitment to building sustainable, scalable healthcare systems in low-resource settings.
Global Health Leadership
This Fulbright award is not Schmidt’s first. In 2004, she participated as a graduate student studying public health in developing nations at the Université Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium. Her ongoing dedication to global health and education has earned her international recognition, and this new award marks yet another milestone in a career devoted to improving healthcare on a global scale.
Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi, PhD, RN, associate vice chair of research, BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine, praised Schmidt’s contributions: “Dr. Schmidt’s work exemplifies the power of academic exchange to not only advance research but to create lasting, impactful partnerships. We are confident that her collaborative research and teaching efforts will enrich communities both in Rwanda and beyond.”
Schmidt’s return to Rwanda will be particularly meaningful, as she plans to share the experience with her family. “I fell in love with Rwanda when I first visited in 2017,” she said. “It’s an honor to return, and I’m excited to introduce my children to the beauty of the country and its people.”
This article has been adapted from a release by UW–Madison’s International Division.