As part of a broader effort to expand global health initiatives and establish new international partnerships, faculty members from Duke Orthopaedics and the Duke Global Health Institute traveled to Peru in May.
The multidisciplinary team included Dr. Todd Cade, chief of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Division and professor of Orthopaedic Surgery; Dr. Laura E. Case, associate professor of Orthopaedic Surgery; Dr. Tiffany Hilton, program director and director of Professional Education, also an associate professor of Orthopaedic Surgery; and Dr. Blake Boggess, professor of Orthopaedics and Community and Family Medicine. The team was led by Dr. Ernesto Ortiz, senior manager of Programs at Duke’s Hubert-Yeargan Center for Global Health.
The visit centered on advancing healthcare services, creating physical therapy student rotation opportunities, and fostering sports medicine collaborations throughout Peru. A primary destination was Vidawasi, a pediatric and comprehensive care center located in the Sacred Valley near Cusco.
“Vidawasi’s commitment to pediatric care is truly inspiring,” said Dr. Case. “We saw firsthand how community-centered healthcare can transform lives, and we’re excited about the potential for long-term collaboration.”
The team engaged with Vidawasi staff to understand their operations and mission, and also visited a local elementary school and Yanapasun, a therapy center and children’s home in Urubamba. These experiences helped identify shared goals and promising areas for collaboration.
“This trip was a powerful reminder of the global reach and responsibility of our work,” said Dr. Cade. “We’re laying the foundation for educational exchange and clinical training that will benefit both Duke students and Peruvian communities.”
A central focus of the trip was laying the groundwork for sustainable partnerships between Duke DPT, Duke Sports Medicine, and Vidawasi. Discussions included opportunities for educational exchange, clinical training, research collaboration, and capacity building to support and expand Vidawasi’s impact.
One key initiative discussed was co-hosting a national conference or workshop focused on pediatric and musculoskeletal/sports medicine at Vidawasi. Using Duke’s status as a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, the event would gather stakeholders from across Peru’s sports and health sectors, including the Peruvian Sports Institute (IPD), the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF), the Peruvian Olympic Committee (COI), professional sports clubs, universities, and the Proyecto Legado (Legacy Project).
“There’s tremendous energy and innovation happening in Peru’s sports medicine landscape,” noted Dr. Boggess. “We’re honored to contribute to its growth and help build bridges for future collaboration.”
The final day of the visit took the Duke team to Lima, where they toured the Olympic training facilities at La Videna, home to the Peruvian Sports Institute's sports medicine division. They also visited Universidad Científica del Sur, a leading medical school developing Peru’s first sports medicine graduate program—crucial in a country with only six non-operative sports medicine physicians currently practicing.
This visit marks a significant step in Duke’s commitment to global health equity, innovation, and education—bringing expertise and partnership to communities across Peru.