Naivasha Sub-County Hospital, University of Nairobi and UW-GAIN collaborators (L-R): Drs. Dalha Daher, Fani Nhuch, Jonah Tischler, David Muigai, Douglas Bosibori, Steven Mwangi, Tony Roche, Sara Nikravan
Reflecting on a transformative rotation in Kenya
In spring 2025, Dr. Jonah Tischler, a recent graduate of the University of Washington’s anesthesiology residency program, joined forces with University of Nairobi anesthesia resident Dr. Dalha Daher for a month-long clinical rotation at Naivasha Sub-County Hospital in Kenya. Their collaboration, made possible in part through the UW Global Anesthesia INitiative (UW-GAIN), marked the launch of a commitment to a sustained global health partnership built on shared learning, mutual respect, and sustainable impact.
Dr. Jonah Tischler, who grew up near Tel Aviv and trained at Columbia University before becoming an anesthesiology resident at UW, has long been drawn to global health. “It’s part of my family’s story,” he says, recalling his grandfather’s work as a physician in South Africa. “I’ve always wanted to be involved in global health in some way.”
In April, Tischler accompanied UW Global Anesthesia INitiative (UW-GAIN) faculty for a rotation at Naivasha Sub-County Hospital in Kenya. Situated near Lake Naivasha in Nakuru County, the hospital serves a catchment area of about 180,000 people with 273 beds, two operating theaters, two ICU beds, and several wards onsite.
Developed in partnership with the University of Nairobi Department of Anesthesia and hospital leadership, the resident rotation was designed to build sustainable connections and foster bidirectional learning. Once in Kenya, Tischler paired up with local senior anesthesia resident Dr. Dalha Daher. Together, they collaborated to support local priorities while training together as clinicians and educators.
Expanding the vision of care
(L-R): Drs. Dalha Daher & Jonah Tischler
Working alongside Dr. Steven Mwangi, the sole anesthesiologist at the hospital, Daher and Tischler witnessed firsthand the challenges and creative thinking required to deliver care in a resource-limited setting. “Dr. Mwangi is everything,” Tischler emphasized. “Seeing the embodiment of one anesthesiologist in all realms, including the operating room wards and ICU, was inspiring.”
Reflecting on the scope of the care Dr. Mwangi provides across specialties as a perioperative and critical care physician, Tischler said it changed how he sees his role, not just as an anesthesiologist or clinician, but as an educator and team member.
“I saw how much anesthesiologists can contribute in places with limited resources,” he said, adding that he counts his time in Kenya as the most meaningful experience of his residency.
Dr. Daher, who co-presented with Tischler at the UW Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine Grand Rounds in July, described the rotation as “truly transformative,” adding, “It broadened my vision of what the practice of anesthesiology and healthcare delivery can and should be.”
Partnering with purpose
While in Naivasha, Daher and Tischler experienced a rotation focused on systems-based learning, clinical education and teaching. Together, they conducted a needs assessment and developed protocols for massive transfusion and capnography—previously unavailable at the hospital. Under the direction of UW and University of Nairobi faculty, they also led point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) trainings in Nairobi and Naivasha, equipping over 50 local clinicians with technical skills to improve patient outcomes using these diagnostic tools.
Drs. Tischler (top left) and Daher (top right) with trainees
One case involved a patient with suspected heart failure. Using bedside ultrasound, the team identified severely reduced left ventricular function and pleural effusion, enabling timely treatment.
“Days later, formal echo confirmed exactly what we had already seen with POCUS,” recalled Daher.
At July’s Grand Rounds, Dr. Douglas Bosibori, a key coordinator for the POCUS trainings, shared the long-term impact of Daher’s and Tischler’s work. Months later, “doctors, interns, pharmacists and students are now using devices to assess patients, monitor treatment regimens, and during resuscitation,” Bosibori said, adding, “We have been lucky with this partnership, and we are very grateful.”
“To be honest,” Daher reflected, “I feel like I’ve been the one who’s benefited the most from this partnership.”
“I really wish that every resident—both at the University of Nairobi and University of Washington—could have this opportunity,” Tischler added. “It changed how I understand the role of an anesthesiologist. We can learn so much from our colleagues around the world.”
Sustaining the momentum
Daher continues to lead weekly POCUS rounds in Naivasha, and is co-authoring a pediatric anesthesia reference guide in Somali with Tischler to support providers in Somali-speaking regions.
At the University of Washington, Assistant Professor and Director of UW-GAIN Dr. Yuanting Zha embraces the program’s capacity for a broader vision and long term, multi-institutional partnership. Curriculum for UW anesthesiology residents now includes a global health lecture series. Trainees also have the option to enroll in a three-week global health leadership course offered each fall by the UW Department of Global Health.
Initiated by the generosity of UW Professor of Anesthesiology Dr. Tony Roche, a newly established Endowed Global Health Fund for Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine further supports host-led initiatives, scholarly exchange and future bidirectional trainee opportunities.
“We are excited to continue to grow this partnership,” Zha said, “and to promote equitable care around the world.”
Two UW anesthesiology residents are already confirmed for a collaborative rotation in Naivasha next spring.
How you can support UW-GAIN
Donations to UW-GAIN enable rotations and partnerships to continue, and also help fund essential equipment such as resuscitation mannequins and ultrasound machines—tools now actively used in training and care.
To sustain UW-GAIN’s impactful momentum, program leaders are hosting a Winter Fundraiser on December 7. The event, which will be held at Old Stove Gardens in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood, will include food, drinks, and an auction. All contributions will directly support UW-GAIN and its partners.
