About MSI

An organization dedicated to the global advancement of medical technologies through novel training applications

Medical Simulation International (MSI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to expand the skills and capabilities of medical professionals in LMICs by developing and deploying novel training tools.  MSI’s current projects, developed in partnership with a medical software company, make use of simulation technologies for interactive video training with aim of improving quality and safety as well as patient access to surgical care.  This interactive program allows trainees to rehearse the steps of various procedures before practicing on live patients in the operating room.  In this manner, MSI facilitates rapid and safe training of clinicians working in resource constrained environments without risking patient safety.

Our Board Members

John Hehre is one of the founders of Medical Simulation International. He recently retired from industry after 35 years of senior level consulting and management positions in various industries. His experience includes leadership of manufacturing, engineering and sales, and positions as president and CEO of several mid-sized manufacturing companies. He has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He has also held leadership positions in several business, educational and medical nonprofit organizations.

Dr. Peter Melchert is the medical director of MSI and an internal medicine and pediatric hospitalist in Minneapolis, MN. He is a director of the Global Health Course at the University of Minnesota and has been the medical director of three international health nonprofits. He is active as a medical educator and assistant clinical professor in both the departments of internal medicine and pediatrics at the U of M. He has 15 years of experience leading surgical training missions to low- and middle- income countries.

Christine Hehre Tierney is MSI’s Treasurer and Corporate Secretary. She brings marketing and digital strategy expertise to the organization, and is responsible for the website.

Dr. Priyanka Gupta is a female pelvic surgeon and assistant professor at the University of Michigan. She is the project director of MSI’s Obstetric Fistula Video Simulation Trainer.

Our Partners

Dr. Albert Ruenes, is a partner to MSI and a urologic surgeon in Doylestown, PA with expertise in robotic surgery, oncology and fertility. He has more than a decade of experience as visiting faculty in the training of urology fellows at the Grand Yoff Hospital in Dakar, Senegal.