International
Fellowships and Education
Transforming Pediatric Care in Ecuador:
A Strategic Collaboration Between
Executive Summary
In June 2025, the Harriet Joyce Foundation, in partnership with Boston Children’s Hospital and the Ministry of Health of Ecuador, will launch a groundbreaking 18-month international education and training program for Ecuadorian pediatricians. The initiative is designed to address a critical gap in access to advanced pediatric training, improve health outcomes for children, and strengthen the healthcare infrastructure in Ecuador through physician empowerment and knowledge transfer.
This white paper outlines the strategic opportunity presented by this collab
The Need: Addressing the Pediatric Care Gap in Ecuador
While Ecuador has made important strides in improving child health over the last decade, significant challenges remain, particularly in the areas of rare diseases, pediatric diagnostics, early intervention, and complex care delivery. Many pediatricians in Ecuador lack access to continuous professional development and exposure to global best practices.
In underserved areas, children with complex or chronic conditions often experience delays in diagnosis or suboptimal care due to resource limitations and training gaps. This initiative directly responds to that challenge by creating a bridge between one of the world’s leading pediatric institutions and a healthcare system seeking transformation.
The Initiative: A Three-Pillar Approach
1. On-Site Physician Training at Boston Children’s Hospital
- Over 18 months, 12 of Ecuador’s most accomplished pediatricians will each spend one month in an immersive training rotation at Boston Children’s Hospital.
- Participants will shadow and train alongside leading clinicians in subspecialty areas, attend Harvard Medical School-affiliated seminars, and participate in case discussions and multidisciplinary rounds.
- The curriculum is tailored to conditions and health priorities relevant to Ecuador, ensuring practical, translatable learning.
2. Educational Video Series for Nationwide Access
- Wendy Chung, Chief of Pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital, will produce 20 educational videos on essential topics in pediatric care, public health, and diagnostics.
- These 30-minute videos will be disseminated to pediatricians across Ecuador via medical associations and government platforms, scaling the program’s reach and reinforcing core training themes.
3. Sustainable Capacity Building through Partnerships
- Working in concert with the Ministry of Health of Ecuador, the Harriet Joyce Foundation will facilitate mentorship, knowledge-sharing, and long- term collaboration
between Ecuadorian and U.S.-based physicians.
- The program lays the groundwork for future telemedicine consultations, visiting lectureships, and institutional partnerships to further bolster Ecuador’s pediatric capacity.
Strategic Goals and Expected Outcomes
Short-Term Goals (2025–2026):
- Train 12 high-impact Ecuadorian pediatricians.
- Distribute 20 video modules to over 1,000 medical professionals nationwide.
- Establish formal ties between Boston Children’s Hospital and key medical institutions in Ecuador.
Medium-Term Goals (2027–2030):
- Improve diagnostic accuracy and clinical outcomes in targeted areas such as neonatal care, metabolic disorders, oncology, and infectious diseases.
- Facilitate ongoing collaboration through alumni networks, remote consultations, and potential exchange programs.
- Influence curriculum development within Ecuador’s medical education system.
Long-Term Vision:
- Strengthen Ecuador’s healthcare system by cultivating a new generation of globally trained pediatric leaders.
- Replicate this model in other countries across Latin America and beyond.
- Position Ecuador as a hub for pediatric excellence in the region.
Impact Framework and Evaluation Metrics
The program’s impact will be monitored through a set of key performance indicators (KPIs), including:
- Clinical case reports and outcome tracking from participating physicians.
- Surveys assessing knowledge transfer and confidence pre/post-training.
- Utilization and reach of the video modules across Ecuador.
- Longitudinal tracking of patient outcomes and systemic changes in care delivery.
Partnership and Support
This initiative would not be possible without the support of Boston Children’s Hospital, the Harriet Joyce Foundation, and the Ecuadorian Ministry of Health. Philanthropic partners, academic collaborators, and corporate sponsors will play a vital role in expanding the program’s reach and ensuring its sustainability.
Conclusion
The International Pediatric Training Program represents a rare convergence of opportunity, vision, and expertise. It reflects a shared commitment to equity in healthcare, the
transformative power of education, and the belief that investing in local physicians is one of the most effective ways to uplift entire health systems. Through this initiative, the
Harriet Joyce Foundation is not just training doctors — it is cultivating leaders and reshaping the future of pediatric care in Ecuador.
Contact Information
For partnership inquiries or to learn more:
Contact Information
Ana Maria Pesantes, President
apesantes@harrietjoycefoundation.org
Boston Children’s Hospital
About Boston Children’s Hospital
Boston Children′s Hospital is a world-renowned pediatric medical center dedicated to providing the highest quality care for children of all ages. As a leader in clinical care, research, and education, the hospital combines cutting-edge treatments with compassionate support for families. Affiliated with Harvard Medical School as its primary teaching hospital, Boston Children’s is consistently ranked among the top pediatric hospitals in the United States by U.S. News & World Report. In the 2024-2025 rankings, it secured the top position on the Best Children′s Hospitals Honor Roll. The hospital offers specialized services in areas such as cardiology, neurology, oncology, and orthopedics, ensuring that each child receives personalized, world-class care.