Bryan Vonasek, M.D., FAAP, embarked on his journey to Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine driven by a deep commitment to the health of vulnerable children, medical education and collaborative clinical research. After completing his undergraduate studies, he served for three years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Malawi, Africa, where he fell in love with the community. He set a goal for himself to return as a doctor.
Through medical school, a residency in pediatrics and a fellowship in pediatric infectious diseases, he developed his clinical skills and implemented multiple clinical research projects with the team at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Malawi. Now, as assistant professor in the college’s Department of Osteopathic Medical Specialties and director of the Clinical Tropical Medicine clerkship elective, Dr. Vonasek continues his impactful work, dividing his time between the United States and Malawi. While stateside, he teaches the Clinical Tropical Medicine elective course and cares for patients at the University of Michigan Health-Sparrow’s pediatric infectious disease service.
While in Malawi, Dr. Vonasek will engage in clinical education, research and clinical support at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.
“Spending half the year in Malawi supervising medical students, implementing clinical research and assisting the pediatrics team at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital aligns perfectly with my interests and aspirations,” Dr. Vonasek shared.
As he settles into his new role, he emphasizes the invaluable mentorship of Terrie Taylor, D.O., University Distinguished Professor and MSU Research Foundation Professor at the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, and a renowned expert in malaria research who played a central role in establishing the Paediatric Research Ward at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital. “Being able to pick her brain about work in Malawi and joining the educational and research programs she has developed over decades is a huge advantage for me,” he said.
One of Dr. Vonasek’s primary research foci is improving the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) in children, a critical and urgent issue in Malawi and globally. Even in the most well-equipped facilities with expert doctors, diagnosing TB in children remains a significant challenge. “The majority of children suffering from TB worldwide are diagnosed very late or not at all,” he explained. “This is the main reason why well over 200,000 children die from TB annually.”
Dr. Vonasek is driven by his experiences caring for children who have suffered due to delayed diagnoses. His research aims to develop new strategies for diagnosing TB that are both accurate and feasible in low-resource settings. “That is where the disease tends to threaten the health of children the most,” he explained.
During his first year, Dr. Vonasek will focus on learning and maintaining the existing student elective rotation. Looking ahead, he envisions a robust and sustainable Malawi program. His long-term goals include developing consistent funding for impactful studies and creating meaningful learning opportunities for future leaders in global health and clinical research.
Dr. Vonasek recognizes the importance of collaboration and partnership in achieving these goals, and how it will enhance the educational experiences of medical students and contribute to significant research outcomes. “I’m excited to explore new relationships with local health care providers and researchers, international partners and academic institutions,” he said.
Dr. Vonasek has been supported and welcomed by his colleagues in the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine and is enthusiastic to share his experiences with students.
“I hope to inspire the next generation of physicians and researchers to engage with global health issues,” he said. “This isn’t just about dealing with issues in Malawi, but skills developed through experiences there tend to be highly valuable throughout one’s career, regardless of the setting.”
By P. Liu