DALLAS – Nov. 04, 2024 – On a typical Thursday morning in Dallas, Fiona Strasserking, M.D., engages in a thoughtful exchange with her UT Southwestern colleague. Meanwhile, internal medicine residents from the University of Zambia prepare to join their virtual training session via Zoom. Today’s featured lecturer is Rafic Berbarie, M.D., an Associate Professor in UTSW’s Division of Cardiology. His presentation, titled “Evaluation of Chest Pain,” will address critical topics, including chronic angina and myocardial infarction.
This global education endeavor is part of a broader initiative that Dr. Strasserking has meticulously orchestrated with her UTSW colleagues and Zambian partner Dr. Ngosa Mumba. Their collective mission is to equip primary care physicians in Zambia with the essential skills to combat cardiovascular disease, a challenge that is particularly pressing in a country of over 20 million residents yet fewer than 10 certified cardiologists.
Although the task of safeguarding heart health nearly 9,000 miles away is formidable, Dr. Strasserking is undeterred. Known for her resilience against overwhelming odds, she is no stranger to extraordinary challenges.
Having fled a civil war in her native Sierra Leone, she maneuvered through multiple obstacles to reach medical school in the United States, even taking on work at Blockbuster Video along the way.
Now an Assistant Professor in UTSW’s Division of Cardiology, she spearheads global health initiatives in Zambia, joining forces with colleagues from Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Family and Community Medicine. This collaboration is vital in alleviating health disparities while concurrently conducting research and educational projects. In July 2024, a dedicated UTSW team traveled to a rural Zambian clinic to carry out intricate surgeries. Further enhancing their efforts, UTSW specialists are set to collaborate with Zambian colleagues for an African conference on stroke this November.
Dr. Strasserking has always dreamed of making a difference both locally in Dallas and globally, fueled by her childhood inspiration rooted in her close-knit community in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
“The local nurse was a beacon of hope for everyone,” Dr. Strasserking recalls. “I aspired to embody her spirit, as she was a trusted member of our community. As a physician, my mission has always been to give back to those in need.” She now affirms, “With my team at UT Southwestern, our potential for impactful change is exponentially greater.”
Her groundbreaking work in Zambia is not just impacting local communities; it is also sparking inspiration among her colleagues at UTSW. Dr. Mark Drazner, M.D., a Professor and Clinical Chief of Cardiology at UTSW, emphasized Dr. Strasserking’s significant contributions. “She is not only making impactful strides personally, but she is also mobilizing the wealth of expertise at UT Southwestern to address global health challenges,” he noted, commending her trailblazing leadership in their Cardiology Division’s global outreach efforts.
In 1989, Fiona Strasserking began her medical education at Sierra Leone’s sole medical school, the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences. However, her studies were abruptly disrupted when civil war erupted during her third year. Seeking refuge, she initially fled to Guinea before ultimately finding safety in the United States, where she settled in Houston with her aunt.
Determined to resume her medical education despite facing numerous setbacks, Dr. Strasserking tirelessly applied to various medical schools across the U.S. Yet, her challenges compounded as she faced rejection due to the ongoing turmoil affecting her family back home in Sierra Leone. She worked multiple jobs simultaneously to support her family while also sending financial aid back to her homeland.
One of her notable employment experiences was at Blockbuster, which thrived during the early 2000s but has since become nearly extinct. Her Blockbuster store was situated adjacent to a military recruitment center where she frequently conversed with a Navy recruiter. He encouraged her to consider joining the Navy, presenting the G.I. Bill as an opportunity for advancing her education and re-entering medical school.
For an impressive eight years, Dr. Strasserking honed her skills as a cardiovascular technician, conducting essential tests and evaluations for both active-duty and retired military personnel. Her career began at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, followed by service at the U.S. Navy Hospital in Guam. It was during this time that her profound appreciation for the human heart blossomed, captivated by its complex yet vital role in sustaining life.
Following her military tenure, Dr. Strasserking enrolled in community college to fulfill her medical school prerequisites, balancing her coursework with her role as a cardiac sonographer at UTHealth Houston. Driven by determination and support from her cardiology colleagues, she was subsequently accepted into medical school.
Dr. Strasserking’s commitment to her roots has always been a guiding principle in her career. “I knew I would return to give back to those who needed my help the most,” she stated.
She focused on global health during her studies, leading her to travel to Sierra Leone for two months, where she actively screened for cardiovascular risk factors in various communities. The results of her work were invaluable, aiding the development of the nation’s public health policy.
Her dedication to global health continued during her Internal Medicine residency at Washington University in St. Louis, where she traveled to Peru for patient screenings. Later, during her cardiology fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, she received the prestigious Fogarty International Fellowship from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This fellowship, awarded amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, allowed her to journey to Zambia between 2021 and 2022, where existing public health collaborations were already established by Vanderbilt.
One particularly transformative experience occurred while Dr. Strasserking consulted on an urgent case involving a mother with low cardiac function six weeks after childbirth. Her intervention was crucial in diagnosing the patient with peripartum cardiomyopathy, a potentially life-threatening condition that can arise during or following pregnancy. The condition disproportionately affects Black women and, in the U.S., affects 1 in 1,000 to 4,000 pregnancies annually.
Intrigued and motivated by the relatively rare condition, Dr. Strasserking utilized her Fogarty Fellowship to investigate peripartum cardiomyopathy while simultaneously facilitating patient support in Zambia, a region lacking resources to capture essential data on the condition.
Dr. Strasserking’s work did not merely seek academic recognition; instead, she aspired to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. Over the course of the subsequent year, she immersed herself in a clinic associated with the University of Zambia, where she collected vital data on peripartum cardiomyopathy. In collaboration with her local colleagues, she pioneered a heart failure clinic aimed at this vulnerable population. Her dedication yielded remarkable outcomes, with half of the patients achieving normal cardiac function and the remainder showing significant improvements. In a touching gesture, one patient named her child “Fiona” as a tribute to Dr. Strasserking’s impactful care.
Ensuring women’s wellness and promoting safe future conceptions remain central to her mission. “It’s the most meaningful accomplishment of my life,” she reflected recently.
After completing her cardiology training at Vanderbilt, Dr. Strasserking meticulously contemplated her next move. Being close to her parents, who had migrated to the U.S. and settled near her aunt in Houston, was paramount, as was the desire to advance her global health initiatives.
After a pivotal discussion with Roger Bedimo, M.D., Director of UTSW’s Office of Global Health, she discovered a perfect alignment between her aspirations and the needs of UTSW.
Dr. Bedimo expressed his admiration for her remarkable drive and passion for global health work, recognizing it as an opportunity for further development and innovation.
Since 2016, UT Southwestern has established a global health partnership in Ethiopia, founded by Dr. Mehari Gebreyohanns, M.D.. Dr. Gebreyohanns recognized the dire shortage of neurologists at Bahir Dar University Hospital and initiated the Bahir Dar Outreach for Neurology Education (BORNE), which has flourished into collaborative educational and research efforts between UTSW and Ethiopia.
Dr. Bedimo understood that Dr. Strasserking’s contributions would immensely enhance existing global health initiatives, leading her to join UTSW’s Cardiology faculty in 2022. Strengthening her alliance with the University of Zambia, her efforts culminated in a UTSW team visiting Zambia in the summer of 2023, an inspiring experience for all involved, particularly Dr. Joseph Schaffer, M.D., a urogynecologist and Chief of Gynecology at Parkland Memorial Hospital.
Collaborating with their Zambian counterparts, Dr. Schaffer and his UTSW colleagues initiated a comprehensive study focusing on vesicovaginal fistulas and their prevalence in Zambia, aiming to address this critical health challenge. Observing and participating in surgeries at the University Teaching Hospital has further deepened their shared commitment to improving healthcare access.
This July, UTSW teams returned to Zambia to extend existing collaborations and establish a temporary fistula surgery clinic aimed at assisting women who were unable to travel for care. A multidisciplinary symposium held during this visit allowed both UTSW and the University of Zambia to share knowledge and cultivate new ideas, enhancing their collaborations.
Later this month, UTSW physicians will co-host the African Stroke Organization Conference alongside their University of Zambia partners in Lusaka, intensifying joint efforts to combat a major health threat in the region.
Back in Dallas, Dr. Strasserking remains deeply engaged with her Zambian colleagues, continuously organizing a series of video lectures aimed at enriching the educational experience of internal medicine residents regarding cardiac health. Following her own session on hypertension, Dr. Berbarie stepped in to present the subsequent lecture, furthering this vital initiative.
“Delivering lectures to fellow health professionals located across the globe is both exhilarating and impactful,” remarked Dr. Berbarie. “I’m honored to contribute to this meaningful work.”
Continuing to explore opportunities to enhance healthcare in Zambia within her field, Dr. Strasserking recognizes the urgency of addressing cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of mortality worldwide. She noted that in lower- and middle-income nations, mortality rates for heart conditions, particularly heart failure, can be significantly higher—30% in sub-Saharan Africa compared to just 7% in the U.S.
“My ambition is that the trajectory that led to my involvement with both Zambia and UT Southwestern engenders the education, training, and resources needed to dramatically reduce these alarming statistics,” she expressed passionately.
Dr. Drazner holds the James M. Wooten Chair in Cardiology. Dr. Schaffer holds the Frank C. Erwin Jr. Professorship in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Making a Difference with the Office of Global Health
UT Southwestern’s mission as an academic medical center, which seamlessly integrates teaching, research, and patient care, extends well beyond its own borders. The institution’s Office of Global Health plays a pivotal role in fostering partnerships with various medical institutions around the globe, according to Roger Bedimo, M.D., the new Director. Since its inception in 2010, the Office of Global Health has built collaborations with numerous academic medical institutions in multiple countries:
- Nepal: UTSW and collaborators are conducting a comprehensive school-based child health study and a focused intervention to address pelvic organ prolapse.
- Ethiopia: Colleagues are collaborating with UTSW faculty to conduct a joint symposium focused on neurology education and webinars tackling stroke evaluation and management in underserved areas.
- Peru: UTSW faculty provided critical training on antimicrobial stewardship and a range of other topics.
- South Korea: UTSW initiated a training program for physicians with colleagues from the Korean Association of Medical Colleges in Dallas.
- The Republic of Türkiye (Turkey): A fellow and faculty exchange program has been developed, focusing on pediatric emergency medicine and infectious diseases.
While some partnered institutions may possess resources comparable to those at UT Southwestern, many operate with significantly smaller budgets in low- and middle-income countries, often lacking similar levels of expertise, technology, and research capabilities. The mutual collaboration fosters a cultural exchange of education, research, and patient care opportunities that would otherwise be unattainable for many.
Dr. Bedimo clarified a common misconception regarding global health partnerships, emphasizing that beneficial alliances do not necessitate vast financial resources. “Having witnessed the tremendous need in these settings, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. However, even modest resources can create significant positive impacts,” he remarked. “With the assets readily available to us, we possess the capacity to transform and elevate health outcomes for many in resource-strapped environments.”
To learn more, go to Office of Global Health.
About UT Southwestern Medical Center
UT Southwestern, recognized as one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers, synergizes pioneering biomedical research with exceptional clinical care and education. The institution has celebrated six Nobel Prize laureates among its faculty and proudly includes 25 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 24 members of the National Academy of Medicine, and 14 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigators. The full-time faculty of over 3,200 remains dedicated to groundbreaking medical advancements, striving to transition science-driven research swiftly into innovative clinical treatments. Committed physicians provide expert care in more than 80 specialties, attending to over 120,000 hospitalized patients, managing more than 360,000 emergency cases, and overseeing nearly 5 million outpatient visits annually.
Well, folks, gather ’round! Today, we’re diving into the inspiring tale of Dr. Fiona Strasserking—a woman whose journey is not just remarkable; it’s a medical soap opera waiting for HBO to pick up!
Picture this: a Thursday morning in Dallas, and you’ve got Dr. Strasserking conferencing with some medical students way over in Zambia, trying to teach them about chest pain. Now, I don’t know about you, but my tutorial on chest pain in college was mostly me deciding whether I wanted pizza or sushi! But Dr. Strasserking is out here making a real difference—teaching about myocardial infarction while most of us can barely handle a microwave!
And let’s not forget the backstory—this lady escaped civil war from Sierra Leone. I mean, Blockbuster? Really? That’s like saying, “I used to work in a dinosaur park before discovering penicillin!” But there she was, juggling jobs and life decisions, working next to a military recruiter who obviously had a flair for recruiting—turns out it was just more than just popcorn and late fees at Blockbuster!
Now, she’s at UT Southwestern, teaching a group of doctors from Zambia how to manage cardiovascular problems, and probably wondering why “chest pain” isn’t just a Tinder bio. And guess what? There are fewer than 10 trained cardiologists in the entire country of Zambia! That’s about as rare as finding a decent bloke at a singles night!
The statistic that got me? Heart failure mortality in sub-Saharan Africa is 30%, compared to just 7% in the U.S. Now, that’s a number that’s not just keen for a low-budget horror movie plot, it’s a serious epidemic. Dr. Strasserking’s resolute mission is to lower that number while making people’s hearts go pitter-patter for all the right reasons. And she’s getting results! Half of her patients in Zambia had their heart functions return to normal. A great success—who knew heart work could lead to such happy endings?
And then there’s the global collaboration aspect of it. UTSW’s Office of Global Health sounds like something that should be sanctioned by the United Nations. They aren’t just talking the talk; they’re repairing fistulas and tackling pelvic organ prolapse issues. According to one of her colleagues, Dr. Mark Drazner, not only is Fiona providing care, but she’s also “trailblazing the global health initiative.” Trailblazing? Honey, she’s practically a flaming comet!
In summary, Dr. Strasserking isn’t just practicing medicine; she’s practically redefining what it means to be a global citizen. And what’s her motivation? Inspired by a nurse in her neighborhood when she was a child. She wanted to be that dependable figure in the community. If we could bottle that kind of tenacity and spirit, we’d have a world-class energy drink!
So, here’s to Dr. Strasserking and all her team at UT Southwestern! Here’s hoping the rest of us can muster even a fraction of her sheer determination and commitment. Who knew that understanding chest pain could also come with such a heavy dose of inspiration? Go ahead, raise a glass of whatever you’ve got—just not chest pain, please!
G a unicorn at a petting zoo! Dr. Strasserking’s efforts to bridge this gap are not only impressive; they’re downright heroic.
As she collaborates with UTSW’s Office of Global Health and connects with Zambian doctors, she’s not just sharing knowledge—she’s building a lifeline. Picture her passionately discussing hypertension while the Zambian doctors are nodding, furiously taking notes—because let’s face it, this is the stuff that could change lives!
And here’s the kicker: healthcare providers in Zambia face staggering challenges, but Dr. Strasserking, with the help of her colleagues, is steadfast in her mission to improve cardiovascular health in the region. Her video lectures are just a piece of the puzzle, but they show promise for a brighter future in medical education, one lecture at a time.
Let’s give a shout-out to Dr. Bedimo, who recognized Dr. Strasserking’s passion—because that motivated collaboration is what makes an impact in global health! From their chats about potential partnerships to actual hands-on initiatives, it’s clear that this alignment is not just mutually beneficial; it’s transformational.
Now, let’s take a moment to appreciate how UT Southwestern isn’t just about state-of-the-art research and clinical practice within our borders. With initiatives spanning Nepal to Ethiopia, they’re doing the real work, tackling pressing health issues globally. It’s a full-circle moment when someone like Dr. Strasserking, driven by her own experiences, engages with healthcare providers on the front lines of patient care in Zambia.
So whether it’s a compelling symposium on stroke management or the establishment of a specialized fistula surgery clinic, each step reinforces a commitment to global health that’s critically needed. It’s that kind of dedication and innovation that makes you want to cheer out loud.
And to wrap this up? Dr. Strasserking’s story isn’t just about overcoming hurdles; it’s about lighting the way for others in the future. We need more doctors who understand that the sphere of influence extends far beyond one’s local community, impacting lives worldwide. So let’s get inspired—because the world needs more medical minds like hers, willing to step up and make a difference!