Quinonez named Director of Global REACH

We are delighted to announce that Shane Quinonez, MD, who has served as Interim Director for the past year, has been appointed Director of Global REACH, effective March 1, 2026.

Since stepping into the interim role in the fall of 2024, Dr. Quinonez has provided strong leadership and continuity for Global REACH and the broader UMMS global health community. Under his leadership, Global REACH has strengthened its relationship with UMMS students, implementing a regular office hours program for students pursuing global health experiences, and launching a Student Advisory Board whose members help plan events, engage with visiting medical students, and promote Global REACH programs among their fellow students.

Dr. Quinonez has also introduced new mentorship grants to encourage UMMS faculty to engage students in their work abroad, and created a new annual awards program recognizing select faculty, residents and fellows, and students for their commitment to global health. In addition, he is looking to expand Global REACH support to graduate medical education programs interested in providing global health experiences.

At the same time, Dr. Quinonez continues to serve as co-director of the Medical School’s Global Health and Disparities (GHD) Path of Excellence, helping create stronger connections and new opportunities for student engagement in global health across the medical school curriculum.

Within the medical school leadership structure, Dr. Quinonez and Global REACH will now report to Vice Dean for Medical Education Louito Edje, MD, MHPE, FAAFP.

Please join us in congratulating Shane on his well-deserved appointment. We look forward to his continued leadership at Global REACH and GHD in support of our UMMS global health community.