In Conversation with Dr. Alex Coutinho: Lessons from a Global Health Leader

“If you have the right vision and the right mindset and you are looking out for opportunities, you are definitely going to change other people’s lives.” — Dr. Alex Coutinho

Each year, Global Health Corps (GHC) fellows kick off their fellowship with a multi-day training that connects them with each other and with global health experts as they begin to orient to the sector and the GHC community. This year, fellows had the honor of hearing from Dr. Alex Coutinho, a Ugandan medical doctor who is now working with the Gates Foundation to improve the control of malaria in several African countries as well as the Africa CDC, where he launched the inaugural COVID-19 global health leadership program. In his 30+ year career, he has worked with organizations including The AIDS Support Organization, Infectious Diseases Institute, and Partners In Health. Drawing from his own personal and professional experience with global public health, he shared lessons learned with the fellow cohort as well as lessons to take with them for their fellowship year and beyond.

Lesson 1: Life is not a straight line, and things don’t always happen the way you plan them.

Lesson 2: Deepen your sense of curiosity and commitment to development.

Lesson 3: Always have a backup plan.

Lesson 4: Luck can be a real force if you’re ready for it.

Lesson 5: Change is good because it challenges your status quo and the way you think.

Lesson 6: There are things in your life that are relevant even when you don’t know they are relevant.

Lesson 7: Sometimes you have to take a risk.

Lesson 8: Sometimes your preconceived notions change with exposure.

Lesson 9: Never stop learning.

Lesson 10: If you get the chance to be vaccinated, do it. I am living proof that they work.

Dr. Alex reminded the fellows that they have made the right decision to enter the world of global health. He shared that working in this sphere for the long haul will radically change the way they think about the world. They will experience things they never thought possible. They will learn from global health leaders who have made great strides in their fields. And even though it can feel like an uphill battle, they can find motivation and encouragement in the impacts of their work for organizations across Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia.

Dr. Alex shared that global health should be a professional home for many different kinds of people—every area of expertise and passion that GHC fellows bring to the movement is important to accelerating progress. Dr. Alex acts as inspiration for the new fellow cohort, highlighting what they can accomplish in their fellowship year and beyond and reminding them that the opportunities they access and connections they build will impact the rest of their careers. As fellows, they have the entire GHC community in their corner, from their cohort to the staff to the over 1,000 alumni who are rising leaders in the sector.

With a supportive community behind them every step of the way, the 2021–2022 fellows have set out to make their mark on the world and drive the movement for global health equity forward.