Emory University Delegation Celebrates CHAMPS Collaborative’s Impact on Advancing Child Health in Kenya.

After the impactful CHAMPS Annual Workshop in Kisumu, representatives from Emory University, key members of the CHAMPS network, led by Senior Director of Business Operations and Finance, Ms. Courtney Mwangura paid a courtesy visit to KEMRI’s Acting Director General, Prof. Elijah Songok early last week. Prof. Songok was joined by Prof. Richard Omore and Dr. Victor Akello, vital figures in Kenya’s CHAMPS initiative.

Emory University’s team included Senior Financial Analyst Ms. Jes Hand, and Associate Director of Site Implementation and Strategy Kristin LaHatte. This visit not only reinforced the strong international partnership between KEMRI and the CHAMPS network but also provided technical support for reviewing Kenya’s financial activities under the CHAMPS project.

A key focus of their discussions was the upcoming CHAMPS Annual Network Meeting, set for April 28th -30th, 2025, was a central topic. This meeting will celebrate CHAMPS’ ten-year milestone, and a decade of impactful progress in child health and mortality prevention. Prof. Songok emphasized the significance of involving the KEMRI Annual Scientific and Health (KASH) Conference Committee in the planning process, viewing it as an opportunity for the team to gain expertise in organizing international events. “Engaging the KASH Conference Committee will be beneficial to our team as it will deepen their expertise in managing global collaborations and strengthen capacity for future initiatives,” Prof. Songok said.

Prof. Richard Omore supported this view, adding, “This partnership allows KEMRI to identify and bring its technical strengths to the table, while also expanding our global collaborations. Learning from these experiences positions KEMRI as an active contributor to impactful health initiatives.”

The discussion also highlighted CHAMPS’ positive impact on community health in Kenya. Prof. Songok praised the CHAMPS initiative’s contributions, particularly in addressing child health challenges in underserved communities, describing the collaboration as transformative. He extended his gratitude to Dr. Victor Akello for his commitment, noting, “we are grateful for this partnership, which has been instrumental in advancing community health…Dr. Akello’s dedication ensures that KEMRI stays well-informed and coordinated on every aspect of this project.” He further expressed gratitude for the continued partnership, stating that this alignment will foster data-driven health policies and further KEMRI’s mission to improve child health outcomes across the country and beyond.

The Emory team’s visit reinforced the CHAMPS network’s commitment to providing on-the-ground support, refining strategies, and contributing to national health initiatives that benefit Kenyan communities.