Global Partners

Global Partners was created in 2008 to develop long-term, sustainable relationships and community-to-community partnerships that expand beyond Gundersen Lutheran’s typical borders. In doing so, this global health model will improve the overall health of the region, education of the citizens and quality of life for people in our partner communities located in South Dakota, Nicaragua and Tanzania.

These partnerships are not one-sided. We learn from the communities we serve. By observing the resiliency of populations who have limited assets and resources and unique cultural approaches to solving problems, it will help us improve our own efficiencies and models of care and education. In addition, these volunteer opportunities help us gain an appreciation for the access we have to healthcare and education in our own communities.

Global Partners is funded by philanthropy and fueled by community volunteers. Gundersen Lutheran is not working on this project alone. We have developed partnerships with community groups—including school districts, universities, businesses and other organizations—in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, as well as the areas Global Partners serves.

The program currently focuses on three locations:

• Pine Ridge Reservation, S.D., working with the Oglala Sioux Tribe
• Nyakato, Tanzania, Africa
• Matagalpa district of Nicaragua

While many things vary from region to region, one thing remains the same. Each site desires a sustained connection that will improve the long-term, overall health and education of their community, not just take care of their day-to-day needs. Global Partners facilitates the development of:

• Medical services, including primary care, surgical care, and some specialty care services.
• Education support, including the education of community-based healthcare workers, scholarships for high school and post-secondary students, student exchanges and classroom partnerships.
• Public health initiatives, such as maternal-child health programs, community health assessments, water filtration and housing projects.
• Resources, such as supplies, textbooks (healthcare and general education), healthcare manuals and mentoring of healthcare workers.