Waka Continuing Medical Education Center

Waka Continuing Medical Education Center Logo
Donate Apply Now
Collaborations & Partnerships - Waka CMEC
University of Tennessee and WAKA CMEC students and faculty together in Kenya
Global Partnership

Collaborations & Partnerships

Bridging continents through shared expertise in healthcare education. Our international collaborations empower the next generation of nurses and medical professionals.

WAKA CMEC × UT College of Nursing
Joint classroom session between WAKA and UT faculty and students
Our Partnership

University of Tennessee College of Nursing

The University of Tennessee College of Nursing (UTCoN) collaborates with the WAKA Continuing Medical Education Center (WAKA CMEC) in Nyeri, Kenya, to advance global healthcare education and training.

This partnership focuses on enhancing nursing skills through shared expertise and experiential learning, supporting training in specialties like midwifery and perioperative care. College of Nursing faculty and students make multiple trips to WAKA, working alongside local healthcare providers to treat patients and deliver hands-on training.

Key Focus Areas

Our collaboration is built on three pillars that drive meaningful impact in healthcare education across borders.

Joint Training & Education

Joint efforts in educating future nurses and medical students through clinical rotations, simulation training, and classroom lectures delivered by faculty from both institutions.

Global Health Focus

Development of nursing skills in midwifery, caregiving, and perioperative care. Nurse-led free clinics in rural villages provide essential healthcare to underserved communities.

Knowledge Exchange

Leveraging the expertise of both institutions to improve healthcare outcomes. Programs like Helping Babies Breathe have trained over 200 nurses from 19 care facilities in the Nyeri area.

Our Partnership in Action

Moments captured during student exchanges, clinical rotations, simulation training, and community outreach in Nyeri, Kenya.

UT and WAKA students practicing infant care simulation together
Helping Babies Breathe simulation training
WAKA nursing student practicing infant resuscitation techniques
Infant resuscitation practice
WAKA and UT students together on campus
Students bonding on campus
Student practicing with infant manikin during simulation training
Hands-on manikin training
UT faculty conducting simulation training with WAKA students
Faculty-led simulation session
WAKA and UT students selfie together
Building lasting friendships
Joint clinical simulation training session
Clinical simulation demonstration
UT and WAKA students together in a classroom session
Joint classroom session
Faculty demonstrating simulation equipment
Simulation equipment training
Community members receiving healthcare during a free clinic outreach
Community health outreach
UT and WAKA students working together on infant resuscitation
Collaborative learning
Students visiting rural community in Kenya
Rural community visit
Our Impact

Making a Difference Together

Since the partnership began, faculty and students from both institutions have collaborated on clinical rotations, simulation training, community health outreach, and curriculum development. The impact extends far beyond the classroom into rural communities across the Nyeri region.

200+
Nurses Trained
19
Care Facilities
6+
Annual Visits
100+
Students Enrolled
Group photo of UT and WAKA students in scrubs
Students practicing simulation together
Joint faculty and student training session

"All of the students have said visiting Kenya was a life-changing event for them. They knew that health disparities existed in the world, but they had never seen it with their own eyes. They were able to stand on their own two feet and make a real change in the community."

April Bryant
Clinical Assistant Professor, UT College of Nursing

Our Journey Together

2019
Partnership Established
Nan Gaylord, Susan Hebert, and Virginia Fowler traveled to Kenya to lay the groundwork for a partnership between the College of Nursing and WAKA, supported by a generous gift from Poppy and Richard Buchanan.
May 2023
Dormitory Renovation
Nan Gaylord and Susan Hebert returned to Kenya to renovate a WAKA building into a dormitory for UT students, creating a home base for future visiting students.
July 2023
First Student Trip
Susan Hebert and April Bryant took four senior nursing students to Kenya for clinical rotations at the WAKA hospital in Nyeri and community health outreach in rural villages.
January 2024
Expanded Student Exchange
Faculty returned with six juniors and two seniors. The Helping Babies Breathe program trained over 200 nurses from 19 care facilities in the Nyeri area on infant resuscitation techniques.
January 2025
Continuing the Mission
The annual trip to Nyeri continued with nursing students and faculty collaborating on clinical training, community outreach, and strengthening the cross-cultural partnership.
Ongoing
Annual Student Trips
Faculty plan to lead a student trip to Kenya each January, ensuring a lasting impact on healthcare education and community health in the Nyeri region.

Interested in Partnering With Us?

WAKA CMEC is a Kenyan-based medical training institute focused on providing high-quality training for nurses and healthcare professionals. We welcome international partners to expand our reach and impact in global healthcare education.

Get in Touch Learn About WAKA CMEC