Andy Muelenaer (VTCSM) leads efforts to improve health in Malawi
Andy Muelenaer: A man of many hats improving health in Malawi
A search for medical supplies to send to Russia is where it all began.
In 2003 at a biotechnology conference in the nation’s capital, representatives from CitiHope International stopped by Virginia Tech’s booth to inquire about donations. CitiHope regularly donates medical supplies to facilities with limited budgets around the world.
Andy Muelenaer, Jr., M.D., M.S., a pediatric pulmonologist and professor of pediatrics at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSM), was manning the booth. “They came and talked to me, but I had just donated a machine to the veterinary school."
While he could not assist them that day, he soon realized there was a greater purpose to this chance meeting.
Dr. Andy Muelenaer, or Dr. Andy as he is affectionately called by his patients and students, has provided quality medical care in the New River Valley region for 28 years. During that time, he has worn many hats, including serving as Virginia Tech professor of Pediatrics and professor of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics. In 1999, he became the director of the Carilion Biomedical Institute, where he managed research funds and projects that resulted in the transfer of health technologies and commercialization of medical products.
“It wasn’t long after the biotechnology conference that my wife and I received standard laboratory equipment to donate to the organization.” His wife, Penny Muelenaer, M.D., M.P.H., also works at Virginia Tech as an assistant professor of pediatrics in the School of Medicine.
“Afterwards, CitiHope presented an offer that we could not refuse – a chance to change the health of nations.”
The wheels of fate began to turn in 2004. Penny traveled to Malawi to assess food distribution methods and training needs for HIV care of infants and children. A trip by Andy to Kyrgyzstan two months later provided an opportunity to teach asthma care to 114 rural practitioners. Dr. Andy began to play a bigger role at CitiHope, starting out as Health Advisor, followed by appointments as chair of the board of directors and CEO.
In 2013, his passions for medicine, research, and development coalesced, and he began connecting the dots – linking Virginia Tech’s students and faculty with people thousands of miles away in Malawi.
The Beginning of TEAM Malawi
"I was in Malawi performing a needs assessment on behalf of the Coca-Cola Africa Foundation, when Penny reminded me that without proper water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), donated medicines are not as effective.
Andy ended up meeting Jill McGill during that visit. McGill, a missionary and engineer from the U.S., had been working on WASH projects in Malawi for years. McGill took him to the Mzuzu University Center of Excellence in Water and Sanitation. After touring the Malawian facility, Dr. Andy recognized a need and an opportunity to bring Virginia Tech’s students to help tackle water issues.
“We sent two Virginia Tech students to Malawi to conduct WASH research. As their faculty chaperone, Penny also conducted her capstone research on methods for household water treatment to complete her Master’s of Public Health degree,” said Andy.
“Between 2013 and 2015, we discovered a number of other groups in the New River Valley area who were doing humanitarian work in Malawi. We said let’s get together all the people we know who are working in Malawi.”
Their vision soon turned into reality, with an outpouring of support from local academic, religious, and non-profit organizations in the New River Valley, thanks to CitiHope International.”
In 2015, Andy and Penny helped to form TEAM Malawi, an interdisciplinary and multi-institutional collaboration to address challenges of community health and quality of life in Malawi. The program components address technology education, advocacy, and medicine (TEAM) using innovative design and application of solutions. The team liaises with partners in Malawi to develop research, development and educational programs such as:
- Pit latrine desludging to break the cycle of diarrheal diseases
- Well drilling
- Infant warmer
- Intravenous fluid delivery for pediatric patients
- Device for water sampling
- Formal course titled, “Experience WASH in Malawi”
CIRED works closely with TEAM Malawi, providing administrative and technical support.
When asked about the most rewarding part of working with TEAM Malawi, Dr. Andy highlighted the global partnerships. “We have introduced dozens of undergraduate and graduate students, to areas of global health. By establishing international collaboration space in Malawi, we are able to bring our knowledge and understanding in a way that meets Malawi’s most critical health needs. Our first student, Ashley Taylor, started as an undergraduate Scieneer in Malawi, and now she is leading efforts to promote STEM education of girls and young women in Malawi.” For more, visit team.cired.vt.edu