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
There are collaborative research and publication opportunities with global institutions. Here are active projects within the department:
Active Grants 2025-2026
- 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.