Icahn School of Medicine Student Receives 2014 (AOA) Carolyn L. Kuckein Student Research Fellowship

Khameer Kidia, MD Candidate, Class of 2017, received the 2014 Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Carolyn L. Kuckein Student Research Fellowship for his proposed research project entitled "System-Level Analysis of Mental Health Services in Zimbabwe."

Alpha Omega Alpha, the Honor Medical Society, awards the fellowships to students for clinical investigation, basic laboratory research, epidemiology, social science/health services research, leadership, or professionalism.

Mr. Kidia's proposed research is the first phase of a project to engage key stakeholders in the improvement of mental health service delivery in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe, with a population of nearly 14 million people, has only ten psychiatrists and very little integration of mental health into general health care platforms. As a result, there is a massive mental health treatment gap, likely of more than 95%. Mr. Kidia, who will be supervised by Dr. Craig Katz (ISSMS, Medical Education), will work with Helen Jack (Harvard Medical School Class of 2018), Dr. Melanie Abas (King's College London), and Dr. Walter Mangezi (University of Zimbabwe) to conduct a systems analysis of existing mental health resources and needs in the country. This analysis will serve as a starting point for advocacy for and implementation of system strengthening efforts. The team will collect and analyze views from key informants, including facility managers, traditional healers, policy makers, and mental health care practitioners. This project, performed by both Zimbabweans and overseas collaborators, will provide clarity not just on what guidelines and policies exist but also on how they are implemented and perceived.