THE
TEAM
GI Rising is an international team of faculty, students, physicians, nurses, technicians, and volunteers who are all ages and from all walks of life. We are working together to reduce the burden of gastrointestinal and liver disease in Rwanda through local sustainable initiatives. Our board members are listed below, but this represents only a small number of our dedicated volunteers in GI Rising.
Steve Bensen, MD
Professor of Medicine
Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine
Section of Gastroenterology
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Frederick Makrauer, MD
Harvard Medical School
Section of Gastroenterology
Brigham & Women's Hospital
​Matt Smith, MD
Being a partner in the development of the gastroenterology program in Rwanda and watching the steady progress has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life
Lisa Rubenberg, CRNA
"I joined the Rwanda Endoscopy Week in 2018 where I was an educator for the Conscious Sedation Course. My experience was incredible, and I returned in 2019 and was fortunate to be able to bring my Husband and 2 boys with me."
Rebecca E Laird,
MD MPH
"My husband and I joined Rwanda Endoscopy Week in 2019. We witnessed firsthand the comradery and collaboration in GI Rising that sets it apart. I am proud to be a part of such a dedicated, intelligent, and intentional group."
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Kenechukwu Chudy-Onwugaje, MBBD, MPH, MS, FACG
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"I joined the board to be part of this collaborative group that is working with our Rwandan colleagues to continue to advance digestive health care."
Katie Dunleavy MB BCh BAO
Advanced Inflammatory Bowel Disease Fellow
Mayo Clinic
“I joined GI Rising in 2023 after traveling to Kigali for the 6th Rwanda Endoscopy Week. The collaboration between local Rwandan partners, and global physicians is outstanding. I am in awe of the dedication to the education of Rwanda’s first GI fellows.”
Dr Donald Duerksen MD FRCPC
Section Head Gastroenterology
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
I attended my first Rwanda endoscopy week in 2018. Its been my privilege to be involved with such an amazing group of individuals and participate in this collaborative vision.