Dr. David Madgy was known for his constant availability in caring for pediatric patients in his otolaryngology practice. He was also dedicated to teaching medical students, residents, and Pediatric Otolaryngology fellows in his time working with Michigan State University at various hospital systems in metro Detroit.
The idea began with Dr. David Madgy and an invitation to start a surgical mission experience through Michigan State University. Michigan State University has a long term relationship with Blantyre, Malawi regarding Malaria research. Word spread that there was an (the only) Otolaryngologist in Malawi that wanted to expand services to his country. It was through these connections that Dr. David Madgy partnered with Dr. Wakisa Mulwafu in Blantyre. They worked together for 10 years with Dr. Madgy bringing experienced surgeons, anesthetists, staff, and resources on annual mission trips to Blantyre. Meanwhile, Dr. Mulwafu worked with the local hospital system, local government, and the University of Malawi College of Medicine to build both the relationship with Dr. Madgy’s group and lay the framework for a local, Malawi based Otolaryngology residency. After Dr. Madgy completed one final mission trip in 2019, he sadly passed away. Simultaneously, Dr. Mulwafu was successful in creating an otolaryngology residency through both the University of Malawi College of Medicine and the College of Surgeons for East Central and Southern Africa. Those of us who worked with him, saw his vision, and fell in love with the people of Malawi decided to act. In 2021, The Madgy Malawi Foundation was created in Dr. Madgy’s honor. We continue the great work today. Goals of the foundation include primarily supporting the local residency training in Malawi. The Madgy Malawi Foundation’s ongoing expertise on complex patients, support for infrastructure and training, and collaborating with other surgical mission groups from the United Kingdom and others improves the educational breadth of Malawi based trainees. The training model in Blantyre is to train local ENT physicians to stay in the country or the surrounding countries of need, typically the continent of Africa. Through the years of the foundation’s existence and moreover due to the efforts of those in Malawi; there has been an entire unit built at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Blantyre dedicated to ENT care. It is the honor of those involved with the Madgy Malawi Foundation to work with the dedicated, warm, skilled local individuals such as Dr. Mulwafu and his associates. We are proud and privileged to work together in bidirectional learning that is so paramount in global surgical care.
We continue the great work today. Goals of the foundation include primarily supporting the local residency training in Malawi. The Madgy Malawi Foundation’s ongoing expertise on complex patients, support for infrastructure and training, and collaborating with other surgical mission groups from the United Kingdom and others improves the educational breadth of Malawi based trainees. The training model in Blantyre is to train local ENT physicians to stay in the country or the surrounding countries of need, typically the continent of Africa. Through the years of the foundation’s existence and moreover due to the efforts of those in Malawi; there has been an entire unit built at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Blantyre dedicated to ENT care. It is the honor of those involved with the Madgy Malawi Foundation to work with the dedicated, warm, skilled local individuals such as Dr. Mulwafu and his associates. We are proud and privileged to work together in bidirectional learning that is so paramount in global surgical care.
“It is so impressive to see what a difference the Madgy Malawi Foundation have made with the help of Michigan State University. When I came as a medical student (before the organization existed), there was no public dedicated ENT facilities for nearly 20 million people. Now, where once a football field stood, is a fully operational ENT clinic, inpatient ward, and operating theatre!”
Shant Korkigian, DO