The Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases at the UNC School of Medicine announces the launch of an innovative platform powered by Terra Dotta that will support the Office of Global Health Education (OGHE) and the Office of Fellowships and Training (OFT). The new platform streamlines essential processes and services that support programming in global health education.
Implementation began in December 2025, with a successful soft launch in late Spring. Both offices are now using the system to manage applications, review and fund awards, and track participant requirements for UNC School of Medicine and UJMT LAUNCH programs.
“Having one system to manage our many processes, collect data, and generate reports has significantly improved efficiency,” explained Heidi White, MIS, Associate Director of OGHE, whose prior experience with Terra Dotta helped guide its implementation.
“This will save time, strengthen collaboration with our School of Medicine partners, and give us the flexibility to continually improve the user experience based on feedback. We’re excited to expand its use for all medical student, resident, and fellow global health programs in the coming months.”
As a centralized destination for program information, applications, and participant management across both IGHID units, the new Global Health Portal has a user-friendly interface, with the ability to simplify tasks that were previously handled through email or a combination of multiple software applications.
“We are pleased to be able to offer this intuitive and efficient experience for trainees,” said Dzidzai Muyengwa, MPH, Program Manager for the UJMT LAUNCH fellowship training program.
“The portal will help us deliver better support while ensuring compliance, integrated advising tools and enhanced data security.”
Early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Medical students, residents, and fellows participating in the soft launch reported a smooth and user-friendly experience, reinforcing the value of a shared platform that streamlines operations while improving access to global health opportunities.
Visit the new Global Health Portal to explore programs offered by both Institute units.