August 1, 2018
Frenova’s F1RST Up® investigators are known for their passion for patients, expertise and research performance. Our investigator partners regularly go above and beyond to provide the best care for their patients. In pursuit of improving the lives of patients even further, a F1RST Up investigator donated his time and resources to go even further.
Roberto Mangoo-Karim, M.D., Ph.D. of Gamma Medical Research in South Texas, traveled 6,500 miles to help advance world health and “give back” for the greater good.
On a mission trip coordinated by Networking for Hope, Dr. Mangoo-Karim and his research manager Yesenia Pena shared their nephrology expertise in Ghana. Dr. Mangoo-Karim recognized the need for renal care in Ghana where 25 million people live with only a handful of Nephrologists. He was invited to lecture the medical staff and provided training to 50 primary care physicians on Peritoneal Dialysis. He helped build the first free-standing hemodialysis unit in West Africa that currently provides services for 24 patients. He visited a local tribe where he met with the local physician and delivered medical supplies. He also met with the Chief of the tribe and discussed ways of providing medical care to a highly underserved area. In addition to providing nephrology and primary care to patients, they had the pleasure of meeting child health and education philanthropist Rebecca Akufo-Addo, First Lady of the Republic of Ghana. They met with members of the Supreme Court of Ghana and discussed ways to provide affordable renal replacement services in the country. He introduced the possibility of providing dialysis services paid with revenue generated by conducting clinical trials.
The service this clinician provided fulfilled Frenova’s mission of starting with the patient in mind and constantly seeking out ways to improve each patient’s quality of life. This F1RST Up investigator, aware of the pressing needs for care in places near and far, took it upon himself to make a difference.
Meet the other patient-focused investigators: Our many faces of F1RST Up. Learn More >