UCLA-India Global Health Exchange in OB/GYN

UCLA - FOGSI Collaboration 

The Global Health Educational Journey between UCLA and India, spearheaded by Dr. Aparna Sridhar, Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UCLA, began in January 2020 at the All-India Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AlCOG) in Lucknow, where she led a hands-on presentation on the Basics of First Trimester Ultrasound, in collaboration with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and GE Healthcare. Building on this momentum, by January 2021, Dr. Sridhar coordinated the first Virtual Symposium on Postpartum Maternal Health—a joint initiative between the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and the Safe Motherhood Committee of the Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI). This groundbreaking series addressed critical postpartum health issues and laid the foundation for continued engagement. In 2021, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Sridhar led a global ACOG-FOGSI Virtual Educational Exchange Program, launching a series of collaborative sessions that connected experts across borders to share knowledge, clinical strategies, and educational innovations in obstetrics and gynecology. 

ACOG- SAFOG Educational Exchanges 

In 2023-24, Dr. Aparna Sridhar (UCLA) and Dr. Kay Daniels (Stanford University) co-led a SAFOG-ACOG Virtual Simulation Curriculum, designed to enhance clinical knowledge and technical skills among global trainees while promoting cost-effective international educational exchange. This collaborative project between the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the South Asian Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (SAFOG) implemented a virtual simulation focused on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The curriculum included a pre-course module followed by a synchronous 90-minute simulation with participants from India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Each session incorporated live audio-visual simulation, debriefing, and dialogue on cross-cultural practice variations. Over 1,000 attendees observed the sessions, with 12 postgraduate trainees participating directly. Participants identified cross-country comparisons of clinical practice and guideline discussion as the most valuable aspects. The project demonstrated that international virtual simulation is not only feasible and effective, but also a powerful tool for global capacity-building in OB/GYN education. 

Global Health Exchange Program 

In 2024, the UCLA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology launched a successful Global Health Exchange Program in partnership with Narendra Modi Medical College and Hospital in Ahmedabad, India. Dr Aparna Sridhar got funding through a grant from the David Geffen School of Medicine Global Health Program, this initiative supports a bidirectional educational experience for trainees and faculty. 

As part of the pilot rotation, a UCLA OBGYN resident Dr Brittany Bergam spent two weeks embedded in the clinical and educational ecosystem of Narendra Modi Medical College along with Dr Sridhar and Dr Kiran Kavipurapu. The rotation included hands-on participation in inpatient rounds, labor and delivery, the OR, postpartum care, preoperative preparation, and outpatient obstetrics and gynecology clinics. The exchange emphasized shared learning, with both institutions openly discussing best practices in surgical technique, patient care protocols, and system-level innovations. 

During the rotation, the resident was involved in six cesarean sections, two hysterectomies, and multiple laparoscopic and hysteroscopic procedures. Clinical discussions extended beyond technical skills to include troubleshooting intraoperative challenges and comparing institutional approaches to complex cases. 

This partnership not only established a sustainable rotation site for future UCLA OBGYN residents but also fostered deep academic and professional connections. Both institutions benefitted from the mutual exchange of knowledge and practices, laying the groundwork for expanded collaboration in education, research, and clinical training. Dr Sridhar and Dr Kavipurapu facilitated a simulation workshop for the residents of NMC. The partnership will continue as Dr Kiran Kavipurapu will lead the academic exchange seminars between UCLA OBGYN Department and Narendram Modi Medical Center. Our first lecture took place during the Summer of 2025.