AUA and the Manipal Higher Education (MAHE) group were well represented at the 2025 World Health Summit Satellite Symposium held this weekend in Berlin, Germany. Representing AUA at the Summit include University President, Dr. Peter Bell, Associate Dean of Research/Professor, Dr. Juan Acuna, and Associate Dean of GHT, Senior Advisor, Professor, and Dr. Leslie Walwyn.

Representing MAHE include Pro Vice Chancellor, Dr. Sudhindra Shamanna, Director Prasanna School of Public Health, Professor Cherian Varghese, and Deputy Director of Research, Dr. Chythra Rao.

✅ Request information on AUA's MD program TODAY!

Multiple presentations were given by AUA students and supporting faculty including:

Srusti Shenoy (presenter, student), Devyani Dogra (student), Rathika Shenoy (Professor), Leslie Walwyn (Associate Dean of GHT, Senior Advisor, Professor), Juan Acuna (Dean of Research, Professor): Correlates of Postpartum Relapse to Smoking among Women Who Quit Combustible and Electronic Nicotine Products During Pregnancy using Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System Phase 8 (2016–2022) Data

Nathalie Camacho (student), Tahira Perry (student), Ana Perez (student), Ramya Puttagunta (student), Oluwabamise Afolabi (presenter, student)), Juan Acuna (Dean of Research, Professor): Tissue Adhesives versus Sutures for Laparoscopic Surgery Port Hole Closure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

AUA is excited to work with both Akkon University’s Institute for Research in International Assistance (IRIA) and the World Health Summit organization. The annual Summit brings in over 300 speakers and over 4,000+ participants from different fields including medicine.

Follow along here or on our socials for a live updated blog presented by AUA President, Dr. Peter Bell.

American University of Antigua (https://www.auamed.org/)

AUA Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/auamed/)

AUA Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AmericanUniversityofAntigua)

Day 1

A significant event at the WHS is the launch of the 2023 Global Burden of Disease Study. The study provides a comprehensive quantitative assessment of global health, highlighting major trends in mortality, morbidity, and the evolving disease landscape. Produced through rigorous scientific methods and a global network of collaborators, GBD 2023 delivers authoritative insights for policymakers, healthcare leaders, and researchers. Dr. Juan Acuna and AUA are among the collaborators.

Great surprise and fantastic news at the opening session of the World Health Summit in Berlin. Reem Alabali Radovan , Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Collaboration and Development, pledged a 1 billion Euro contribution to The Global Fund. The Global Fund is a worldwide partnership to defeat AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria and ensure a healthier, safer and more equitable future for all. 

Day 2

Global Health Governance, AI in healthcare and Climate Change are the three main recurring topics during presentations, panel discussions, and discussions in between sessions at the WHS in Berlin. In all fields, AUA has been engaged in for years!

Integrating those topics in our curriculum and further emphasizing within the Global Health Track prepares our students and graduates for becoming successful physician leaders.

Day 3:  

An interesting morning at the panel of peace and sustainable health development. It is not only interesting what you learn during presentations and panels but even more so during personal interactions with international stakeholders of global health including policymakers and high level government representatives. Everyone is dedicated to pushing the global health agenda forward. AUA is part of it! 

✅ Request information on AUA's MD program TODAY!