Global Reproductive health Alliance for Collaborative Engagement (GRACE Program)
Mission Statement
The UCLA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is dedicated to advancing reproductive health through equitable, collaborative partnerships in education, research, and clinical innovation. By fostering sustained, co-created initiatives with global institutions, the program aims to train future leaders, promote implementation science, and strive towards improvement of reproductive health outcomes across diverse settings.
Core goals for the program
- Foster sustainable and equitable global partnerships
- Advance sustainable reproductive health equity
- Promote sustainable collaborative research and innovation
- Train and empower future global health leaders in OBGYN
- Support sustainable capacity strengthening and knowledge exchange
- Align with UCLA's institutional commitment to global health
Director
Core Faculty
Program Components
Education and Training
Uganda Global Health Program
A 15-year collaboration with Medicine for Humanity and Mbarara University, this program focuses on fistula care, surgical training, and community outreach. The Center for Gynecologic and Fistula Care, established in 2018, serves as a regional hub. This program helped with the establishment of the Fellowship in Urogynecology and Female Pelvic Floor Reconstructive Surgery. This is the first accredited program in East and Central Africa. Learn more
UCLA-India Global Health Exchange in OB/GYN
A bidirectional partnership with Narendra Modi Medical College, Ahmedabad. This initiative offers clinical rotations, academic exchanges, and collaborative learning experiences for residents and faculty. Learn more
Global Reproductive Health Seminar Series
An ongoing webinar series highlighting faculty and global partners addressing critical topics in reproductive health.
Medical Student Clerkship/Exchange
The Global Health Program (GHP) at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM), guides students through a structured pathway involving partner-site clinical electives in global settings (e.g., CapeTown, Quito, Malawi). These are open to MS4s and cover broad clinical specialties, including OB/GYN.
The Visiting Scholar pathway offers a formal mechanism to bring international OB/GYN faculty to UCLA for research, teaching, or clinical observerships-under the Research Scholar or Professor categories. This perfectly complements our GRACE Program by:
- Enabling structured incoming partnerships with international collaborators
- Providing a visa- and admin-supported structure for hosting OB/GYN global scholars and educators
- Bridging clinical exchange with bilateral learning-especially as our department grows tied to implementation research, education, and global care models
Community Involvement
June 2026
UCLA and University of Zimbabwe Launch MIGS Capacity-Building Initiative
The UCLA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the University of Zimbabwe launched a new collaborative initiative to establish a sustainable minimally invasive gynecologic surgery (MIGS) education and research program. Led by Dr. Kiran Kavipurapu in collaboration with UCLA Obstetrics and Gynecology residency alumna Dr. Kathleen Chung, the project aims to develop Zimbabwe's first university-based MIGS training center, creating a locally led and sustainable program in advanced laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. Through simulation-based education, faculty development, implementation research, and longitudinal mentorship, the initiative seeks to build local surgical capacity while establishing a regional center of excellence for minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and advancing women's health throughout Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe
April 2026
UCLA–Narendra Modi Medical College Expand Global Simulation Partnership
The UCLA–Narendra Modi Medical College (NMMC) bidirectional education collaboration expanded through implementation of an obstetric emergency simulation curriculum focused on interdisciplinary teamwork, crisis resource management, and faculty development. Dr. Kiran Kavipurapu led the UCLA delegation, accompanied by Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellow Dr. Soham Shah and Obstetrics and Gynecology residents Dr. Brittany Bergam and Dr. Jasmine Robinson, who partnered with NMMC faculty and trainees to deliver train-the-trainer model simulation-based education, with support from a UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine collaboration grant. The initiative established a sustainable model for collaborative teaching, educational scholarship, and faculty development while strengthening the academic partnership between UCLA and NMMC.
March 2026
Panel on Global Partnerships and Women’s Health Advocacy at UCLA Anderson
On March 4, Dr. Aparna Sridhar participated in a panel discussion at the UCLA Anderson School of Management (Grand Salon, Marion Anderson Hall) highlighting how global collaborations can grow from early conversations into impactful partnerships. The session was moderated by Katelyn Choe and featured Fatou Baldeh, founder of Women in Liberation and Leadership, and Wendlin Sussler.
During the discussion, Dr. Sridhar shared reflections on the development of UCLA’s partnership with advocates in The Gambia working to address female genital mutilation (FGM) and strengthen education and advocacy around women’s health and human rights. Panelists discussed how trust-based relationships, interdisciplinary collaboration, and institutional support can help translate informal dialogue into sustained global initiatives that advance research, education, and community impact.
The conversation aimed to inspire UCLA leaders and faculty to consider how international partnerships can amplify the university’s mission across research, teaching, and service. Dr. Sridhar thanks Heather Caruso.
February 2026
Dr. Christopher Tarnay is the recipient of the ACOG District IX International Service Award for Maternal Health, Empowerment, and Gender Equality in recognition of his work on urogynecologic care in Uganda.
November 2025
2025 International Conference on Functional Programming
September 2025
Dr Aparna Sridhar represented FIGO at the inaugural Collaborate for Women: Abortion and Contraception Care Together (C4W ACCT) meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, co-hosted by FIGO, the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), and WHO/HRP. The event brought together midwives, obstetrician-gynecologists, policymakers, and advocates to advance interprofessional collaboration in sexual and reproductive health. Dr Sridhar contributed to discussions on strengthening teamwork between professional cadres and presented innovative ways technology can enhance consultation, referral pathways, and continuity of care. Participants explored solutions to barriers such as gender norms, regulatory gaps, and professional hierarchies while emphasizing the importance of rights-based, woman-centered approaches. Dr Sridhar's participation highlights GRACE's mission to foster global partnerships, promote equity, and champion innovation in reproductive health education and service delivery.
Ending female genital mutilation: A global call to action from FIGO
There are collaborative research and publication opportunities with global institutions. Here are active projects within the department:
Active Grants 2025-2026
- Improving Maternal Health through Obstetrical Emergency Simulation Training in Ahmedabad, India
Primary Investigator: Dr. Kiran Kavipurapu
Funding – DGSOM Global Health Program - South African College Student Sexual, Reproductive, and Mental Health Promotion, and Violence Prevention - Sex, Cookies & Relationships (SAC-SCR)
Primary Investigator: Dr. Lisa Nicholas
Funding – DGSOM Global Health Program - Optimizing Maternal Outcomes: Adapting Quantitative Blood Loss Measurement in Routine Maternity Care in India (AIIMS New Delhi)
Primary Investigator: Dr Aparna Sridhar
Funding – DGSOM Global Health Program
- Seeing Solutions: Augmented Reality Assisted Emergency Obstetric Care in Rural Zimbabwe (Mama Care Africa, Africa University, Zimbabwe)
Primary Investigators: Dr Aparna Sridhar, Dr Kiran Kavipurapu
Funding- collaboration: Mama Care Africa/ OHANA
Advocacy and Leadership
The GRACE Program is guided by faculty with extensive leadership experience in shaping global reproductive health policy, advocacy, and implementation.
Partners
University of Zimbabwe