UK recognized with 2026 IIE Andrew Heiskell Award for Innovation in International Education
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 4, 2026) — The University of Kentucky has been recognized as a winner for the 2026 IIE Andrew Heiskell Award for Innovation in International Education in the category of Strategic Partnerships for Shoulder to Shoulder Global. The Institute of International Education (IIE) bestows this honor to recognize and support the innovative and successful models for developing and expanding international education in practice today.
Shoulder to Shoulder Global is a UK Global Health Initiatives organization that integrates academic and community partners both at home and abroad to improve the health and well-being of underserved communities in Ecuador and Kenya while simultaneously improving the clinical skills of current and future practitioners in a dynamic, interprofessional team medicine approach.
Students, faculty, staff and community members can participate in these transformative, short-term experiences in global health.
“Shoulder to Shoulder Global has been an incredible program, not only for our partners in Ecuador and Kenya, but especially for University of Kentucky students, faculty and staff,” said Tim Barnes, acting associate vice president for global engagement in the Office for Student Success. “In addition to improving the health of the local community, the program has prepared the next generation of clinicians to deliver care across the Commonwealth, the country and around the globe.”
Now approaching its 20th year of delivering care, Shoulder to Shoulder Global, in partnership with Fundación Hombro, has helped provide more than 100,000 medical consultations to nearly 50,000 patients in underserved communities. The program recently celebrated the expansion of Centro de Salud Hombro a Hombro health clinic in Santo Domingo, Ecuador.
“The partnership with Fundación Hombro has led to outstanding outcomes in the local community in Santo Domingo and for our students, faculty and staff,” said Melody Ryan, assistant vice president for Global Health Initiatives. “This award recognizes that partnership, as we look to continue to offer the UK community opportunities to understand health from a global perspective in order to make a local impact.”
Fundación Hombro was established in 2012 in Ecuador to expand access to healthcare, with a focus on low-income and vulnerable populations. In 2025, these programs delivered more than 14,300 patient visits. As part of the Global Health Initiative, Fundación Hombro also runs a WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) initiative, currently serving more than eight communities that face significant barriers to accessing clean water and sanitation.
"Hombro a Hombro has developed a model that combines service and learning, creating a space where communities, healthcare professionals, students and volunteers come together to improve well-being,” said Pablo Boada, director of programs for Fundación Hombro. “Our collaboration with Shoulder to Shoulder Global has been an excellent partnership in advancing access to healthcare while helping the next generation of professionals learn and grow. We are deeply grateful for this fruitful collaboration and look forward to continuing this important work together."
The IIE Heiskell Awards were created in 2001 to promote and honor outstanding initiatives conducted in international higher education by IIENetwork members. IIE is proud of continuing the legacy of the award’s namesake, Andrew Heiskell, a former Executive Committee member of IIE’s Board of Trustees, a renowned international and cultural philanthropist and long-time supporter of international education. Now in the program’s 25th year, IIE has given nearly 100 IIE Heiskell Awards to institutions and organizations around the world.
IIE will conduct a virtual 2026 Heiskell Awards Convocation and Silver Jubilee Commencement Monday, Sept. 14. Register to attend the celebration.