We are dedicated to advancing health equity in perioperative care.
The Center for Health Equity in Surgery and Anesthesia (CHESA) uses research, education and advocacy to improve access to safe surgical, anesthesia and perioperative care in all settings.
Updates & Events
What We're Talking About. Browse our updates, events, and other highlights.
Featured Projects
Our faculty and trainee collaborators are continuously providing inspiration to the team. Here are a few recent examples of their work:
CHESA Fellowship Expands Its Global Reach
For the 2026-2028 cohort, we welcomed health professionals from 14 countries, supporting emerging leaders in global surgery worldwide.
Read moreAAU-UCSF Hypoxia Lab
The Uganda Hypoxia Lab has officially launched - the first independent medical device research and testing facility of its kind in East Africa, and the only lab globally conducting hypoxia testing within a low- or middle-income country (LMIC). Co-led by Ugandan clinicians and researchers in partnership with CHESA, UCSF Hypoxia Lab, the Association of Anesthesiologists of Uganda, LifeBox, and faculty from Makerere and Busitema Universities, the lab addresses a critical gap in global health: most devices, such as pulse oximeters, are developed and validated in high-income countries on light-skinned populations, resulting in underperformance for people with darker skin tones. By conducting high-quality testing in an LMIC, the Uganda Hypoxia Lab marks a step toward more equitable and effective healthcare innovation.
Read moreAdvancing Perioperative Data for Better Care
Our team is developing and advancing data tools to better understand surgical and anesthesia capacity worldwide. Current initiatives include the AFAT facility assessment tool, standardized perioperative metrics, and workforce analyses to identify gaps, inform planning, and strengthen surgical systems.
Health Equity Curriculum
CHESA and our collaborators from multiple disciplines and institutions are creating a new Health Equity Curriculum for Anesthesia and Surgery trainees.
Read moreTraining Opportunities
CHESA has multiple Fellowship and Visiting Scholar pathways designed to support health equity professionals with diverse backgrounds and diverse aspirations.
Our Work
Our research includes implementation sciences, translational, and basic science work with priorities driven by our partners and the communities we serve.
Read MoreOur education programs train emerging leaders in health equity and support perioperative workforce training capacity in resource-denied settings.
Read MoreOur research & education programs rely on grassroots and high-level advocacy and policy engagement for successful implementation and sustainability.
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