About this resource
This webpage is a comprehensive resource that provides guidance to ensure written, visual, and spoken materials are in alignment with the overarching brand guidance for the center, the University of Michigan, and Michigan Medicine.
Navigation
Talking about the center
Photography
Language
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Who we are
Our vision and mission
Our vision
We envision communities where everyone has sustainable opportunities to realize optimal mental and physical health.
Our mission
We bring people together globally across disciplines to co-create bold solutions that improve health where resources are limited.
Ibu Imalijar (Immunization Coordinator), Ibu Risma (village midwife), Fitdha (TABRIE team researcher), and Abu Hasan Sajili at the Baiturrahman Community Health Center in Indonesia. The "L" hand gesture stands for Lengkap — "complete" — a symbol used by health workers and community members to express commitment to ensuring every child receives a full schedule of vaccines.
Defining global health equity
Global health equity means ensuring that all people, regardless of their location or identity, can lead healthy and fulfilling lives. It requires rebalancing power, addressing systemic injustices, and building systems that meet people’s needs locally and globally.
Our history
The Center for Global Health Equity was founded in 2020, made possible by a catalytic $20 million in gifts from Tachi and Leslie Yamada—a transformative investment in a different kind of global health research institution.
From the beginning, we were charged with doing something different. Rather than operating within the siloed structures that have long defined academic research, CGHE was built to bridge them—bringing together the best interdisciplinary minds across the University of Michigan's faculty, students, and global partners to pursue research that reaches the communities who need it most.
About our founding donors
Tadataka “Tachi” Yamada, MD
Tadataka "Tachi" Yamada, MD (1945–2021) was a physician whose career spanned academic medicine, the pharmaceutical industry, and global health. Across numerous senior leadership positions, he worked tirelessly to bridge private sector resources with the health needs of people around the world. Most notably, as Chairman of Research and Development at GlaxoSmithKline, he successfully pushed the pharmaceutical industry to abandon a lawsuit blocking South Africa's access to affordable HIV/AIDS drugs—and helped implement not-for-profit pricing models that drove the annual cost of HIV treatment in Africa from $15,000 to less than $100 per patient. He carried that mission to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where as President of the Global Health Program he oversaw more than $9 billion in grants addressing TB, HIV, and malaria. A longtime University of Michigan faculty member, National Academy of Medicine electee, and author of the seminal Textbook of Gastroenterology, Yamada devoted his life to the belief that access to good health is a universal right.
Leslie Yamada
Leslie Yamada graduated from the American School in Japan and earned a BA in Religious Studies from New York University. Following graduation from NYU, she embarked on a career in social service. She has a deep passion and commitment to the arts and to supporting both her local and global community. Leslie currently serves on the Board of the Pacific Northwest Ballet and is involved with the Recovery Café and the Washington Women’s Foundation. She remains deeply involved in the work of the center and is committed to the advancement of global health equity.
About our leadership
Akbar Waljee, MD, MSc
Leslie D. Yamada and Tachi Yamada M.D. Director, University of Michigan Center for Global Health Equity
Professor of Internal Medicine, Michigan Medicine
Akbar K. Waljee, MD, MS is the Leslie D. Yamada and Tachi Yamada M.D. Director, University of Michigan Center for Global Health Equity. Waljee is an assistant dean of Global Health Research and Lyle C. Roll Professor, departments of Learning Health Sciences and Internal Medicine. He is also a professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Michigan. Originally from Nairobi, Kenya, Waljee has dedicated his career to improving health and healthcare access, quality, and efficiency, particularly in resource-constrained settings. He is widely recognized for leveraging advanced methodological approaches, including artificial intelligence, to inform better decision-making and to deliver effective, equitable care both locally and globally. His work has been supported by a range of grant funding, including the Veterans Affairs Health Systems Research, the National Institutes of Health, the State of Michigan, and the Department of Defense. Waljee earned his undergraduate degree in biology and his medical degree from Emory University. He completed his internal medicine residency and gastroenterology/hepatology fellowship at the University of Michigan, joining the U-M Medical School faculty in 2009.
Ellen Meader, PhD, MEd
Managing Director
Ellen Meader, PhD is a seasoned administrator with over thirty years of experience in higher education and has worked at U-M in several different capacities. Prior to her current position, Ellen was an Assistant Vice Provost for Equity, Inclusion, and Academic Affairs in the Provost’s Office. She also worked with the U-M ADVANCE Program focusing on equitable and preemptive strategies in faculty recruitment, retention, climate, and leadership; in the Rackham Graduate School as a program manager in the Office of Graduate Student Success; and in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts in the Office of the Dean as a Research and Policy Analyst. Ellen received her PhD from U-M’s Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education (CSHPE).
About the endowed directorshop
The official title for the director of the center is Leslie D. Yamada and Tachi Yamada M.D. Director, University of Michigan Center for Global Health Equity.
This designation was approved by the U-M Board of Regents on July 18, 2024, and is the title to be used in all official communications for the sitting director, ensuring consistent recognition of the Yamada family’s legacy in advancing global health initiatives. The directorship of the University of Michigan’s Center for Global Health Equity was named for Tachi and Leslie Yamada in October 2024 to honor their pivotal contributions to the establishment and development of the interdisciplinary center.
How to use the title
When referencing the Yamada directorship, please adhere to the following guidelines to remain consistent with the endowment agreement with the Yamada family and the Office of University Development.
- Exclusion of “Executive”: Ensure that the word “executive” is not included in the title.
- Use a comma only when the title is presented in a single line.
- First reference: Spell out the full title — Leslie D. Yamada and Tachi Yamada M.D. Director, University of Michigan Center for Global Health Equity — on first reference in any document or communication.
- Second reference: "Yamada Director" is an acceptable shortened form for all subsequent references. Vary the language where appropriate — "the director" or "faculty director" are both acceptable alternatives to avoid repetition.
Reinforcing our connection the University of Michigan and Michigan Medicine
While our administrative home sits within Michigan Medicine, the Center for Global Health Equity was designed from the outset to span the full breadth of the University of Michigan. We work across academic and medical campuses—in Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint—bringing together researchers whose expertise spans public health, medicine, engineering, policy, the social sciences, and beyond. This cross-institutional reach is reflected in our reporting structure: we are accountable to senior leadership in both academic and clinical domains, including the Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs and the Provost. That dual accountability isn't incidental—it's a reflection of our core belief that solving global health challenges requires the full range of what a great public university has to offer.
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Talking about the center
Describing our work
The Center for Global Health Equity at the University of Michigan brings together researchers across disciplines, campuses, and continents to pursue research that reaches the communities who need it most. We serve as a catalyst: connecting researchers, funding high-impact work, and building the collaborations needed to strengthen health systems, inform policy, advance data science, address environmental justice, and empower communities. At our core is a commitment to partnering differently: working alongside communities rather than for them, and ensuring that evidence-based research translates into real change where resources are limited and the need is greatest.
- On alignment with Look to Michigan: our work sits at the heart of the University of Michigan's Look to Michigan vision. Our research directly advances the university's commitments to human health and well-being, environmental equity, and democratic and global engagement
- On local-global impact: The solutions we develop alongside global partners have direct relevance for underserved communities here in Michigan and across the United States.
From left: Ben Niwagaba (Finance Officer, Bishop Stuart University), Donah Asiimire (PhD candidate, Bishop Stuart University), Lynae Darbes (PhD, University of Michigan Nursing), Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa (Chancellor, Bishop Stuart University), Camilla Bjelland (PhD student, University of Michigan Nursing), Richard Nsengiyumva (collaborator, Rwanda), and HaEun Lee (U-M Nursing).
Shorthands
In written communications, first introduce the full name of our organization as the Center for Global Health Equity at the University of Michigan. Following mentions may use the shorthand “the center”. Avoid using “CGHE”, “the CGHE,” “Center” (with a capital 'C') or other variations in public-facing materials.
- Note: When using the shorthand “center” to refer to our organization, it should only be capitalized when you are using the full name of the center or if it is at the beginning of the sentence.
Describing your connection to the center
Faculty/trainees
"Hello, I'm [Name], [title] in the [Department] at the University of Michigan. My research focuses on [topic], and as a member of the Center for Global Health Equity, I'm part of a community of researchers working across disciplines and continents to ensure that evidence-based research translates into real change for the communities who need it most."
Staff
"Hello, I'm [Name], [title] at the Center for Global Health Equity at the University of Michigan. We bring together researchers, students, and global partners across disciplines to strengthen health systems, inform policy, and empower communities to drive equitable health outcomes where resources are limited and the need is greatest."
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Photography
Things to avoid in images
- Stereotypes. Be intentional about representation and resist imagery that reinforces reductive or harmful narratives about people or communities.
- Vulnerable moments. Do not focus on emotionally charged or vulnerable situations, including images of individuals crying, in states of undress, or in sensitive medical settings.
- Savior framing. Do not portray researchers, staff, or any outside party as a "savior" to the communities we work with. This includes images that position U.S.-based researchers as the focal authority—such as photos of outsiders pointing dramatically or lecturing while community members look on as passive recipients.
- Black and white filters. Avoid monochrome editing used to dramatize or sensationalize situations.
- Images of children as beneficiaries. Avoid images depicting children as recipients of center programming or aid. When used, children's photos require leadership approval. Any image of a child used for official or associated purposes must have explicit sign-off from center leadership, make a compelling case for use, and comply with all applicable local and University of Michigan privacy and child protection guidelines.
Things to embrace in images
- Showing strength and resilience. Portray people as active agents in their own lives and communities—not passive victims or subjects of hardship. Seek out images that reflect dignity, capability, and self-determination.
- Positive stories. Highlight achievements, progress, and success. Difficult realities can be part of the story, but should not define it.
- Consent. Get verbal or written permission from everyone depicted before taking photos, and give subjects a clear sense of where images may appear. More stringent documentation is required when photographing vulnerable groups, minors, or individuals engaged in activities that may be considered sensitive, taboo, or unlawful. Consult with center leadership before and after stakeholder engagement to confirm compliance with all relevant policies and best practices.
- Careful, respectful captions. Captions should be accurate, informative, and respectful—and should include the names of those depicted wherever possible.
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Language
The center follows the editorial guidelines of both the University of Michigan and Michigan Medicine, and adheres to Associated Press (AP) style as our default for all written content—with select departures noted where our usage differs.
These guidelines help ensure that everything we publish, from research summaries to social media posts, reflects the professionalism and integrity our work demands. For questions about style and usage, including words to avoid and formatting standards, see our full editorial guide below—or reach out to the Communications Manager directly via [email protected].
Boilerplates
About the Center for Global Health Equity
The Center for Global Health Equity at the University of Michigan brings together researchers across disciplines, campuses, and continents to pursue research that reaches the communities who need it most. We serve as a catalyst: connecting researchers, funding high-impact work, and building the collaborations needed to strengthen health systems, inform policy, advance data science, address environmental justice, and empower communities. At our core is a commitment to partnering differently: working alongside communities rather than for them, and ensuring that evidence-based research translates into real change where resources are limited and the need is greatest.
About the University of Michigan
One of the nation’s top public universities, the University of Michigan has been a leader in research, learning and teaching for more than 200 years. With one of the highest research volumes of any public university in the country, U-M is advancing new solutions and knowledge in areas ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic to driverless vehicle technology, social justice and carbon neutrality. Its main campus in Ann Arbor comprises 19 schools and colleges; there are also regional campuses in Dearborn and Flint, and a nationally ranked health system, Michigan Medicine. The university also boasts a world-renowned intercollegiate athletics program and has been the site of many important events in U.S. history, including JFK’s announcement of the Peace Corps, LBJ’s “Great Society” speech, and the clinical trials of the Salk polio vaccine. U-M’s alumni body is one of the largest in the world and includes a U.S. president, scientists, actors, astronauts and inventors.
Copyright
A copyright line should be included on all marketing materials, including websites, other digital properties, and print collateral. The addition of the date is helpful but not necessary.
Examples of proper copyright notices: © 2025 by the Regents of the University of Michigan or © 2025 Regents of the University of Michigan”
You may spell out “Copyright” or use the © symbol. You may also use a more comprehensive copyright notice if desired: © 2025 by the Regents of the University of Michigan.
Executive officers
All marketing materials should include the University of Michigan Regents and the Executive Officers of Michigan Medicine when possible; the names can be presented as a bulleted list or in paragraph form (depending upon space constraints).
- View the current list of University of Michigan executive officers.
- View the current list of Michigan Medicine executive officers.
Regents
All marketing materials should include the University of Michigan Regents when possible; the names can be presented as a bulleted list or in paragraph form (depending upon space constraints). See the Regents’ List for Publications for the most current list.
Nondiscrimination policy statement
The Nondiscrimination Policy Statement is provided by the Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office. The full statement must appear in publications as required by the U.S. Department of Education. The Office of the General Counsel says that the statement should be included in any materials or publications that contain general information and are used to “recruit applicants, participants, beneficiaries or employees.” Posters could be exempt if they include no “general information” beyond the announcement of an event.
As of March 2025, the Statement reads:
The University of Michigan, including the Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Flint campuses as well as Michigan Medicine, as an equal opportunity employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination. The University of Michigan is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, height, weight, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
Inquiries or complaints may be addressed to the Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office (ECRT), 2072 Administrative Services Building, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1432, 734-763-0235, TTY 734-647-1388.
If space is an issue, the following shorter line may be used: “A Non-discriminatory Employer.”
Funding Acknowledgement Statement
For use cases where we are the only funder: “This work was supported by the Center for Global Health Equity at the University of Michigan.”
For use cases where there are more than one funders: “This work was supported by the Center for Global Health Equity at the University of Michigan, [Funder 2], and [Funder 3].”