Global Rehabilitation Leadership Institute

GRLI logo

As the global burden of disease has transitioned from predominantly communicable diseases to noncommunicable diseases, injuries, and disability, global rehabilitation needs are increasing. Health systems must be organized to meet the growing demand for rehabilitation and AT services, which requires multisectoral action from stakeholders beyond just the rehabilitation sector.

To create stronger, rehabilitation-inclusive health systems, ReLAB-HS recognizes the need to :

  • Inspire political commitment to rehabilitation.
  • Support capacity development of decision-makers, governments, and rehabilitation professionals.
  • Catalyze sustainable change through local leadership that takes ownership of its health needs.

The Global Rehabilitation Leadership Institute (GRLI) addresses rising global rehabilitation needs by inspiring political commitment, supporting capacity development, and catalyzing sustainable change through a blended learning program focused on leadership and health systems strengthening.

The Global Rehabilitation Leadership Institute (GRLI) was developed and is implemented by ReLAB-HS under the leadership of the Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit (JH-IIRU) and responds to the need to support, position, and retain key stakeholders to serve as champions in the field of rehabilitation and health systems strengthening. The Leadership Institute brings together a diverse group of stakeholders representing government, health care, academia, media, and the development sector to work together to mainstream rehabilitation services within health systems.

The Leadership Institute is a blended course delivered once a year, with five weeks of asynchronous online training and one week of in-person training. The multidisciplinary curriculum includes technical training on leadership; systems thinking and health systems; rehabilitation in health care; implementation science; evidence-based decision-making; and advocacy, communications, and policy.

With capacity-building at its core, key features of the Leadership Institute include:

  • Blended learning: promotes a personalized and collaborative learning experience
  • Curated curriculum: activity-based, organized group work focused on strengthening core leadership skills and competencies
  • Diverse faculty: learning from global faculty who are subject matter experts
  • Networking and collaboration: provides a platform to collaborate with local, regional, and international colleagues to facilitate an exchange of knowledge, ideas, and shared experiences
  • Certification from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health

Read more about the GRLI course offerings in Uganda and Pakistan.

GRLI cohort Uganda 2022
The inaugural Global Rehabilitation Leadership Institute cohort pose for a group photo in Munyonyo, Uganda (September, 2022). Photo courtesy of Nukhba Zia, ReLAB-HS
Dr. Abdulgafoor Bachani presenting at the 2023 GRLI Pakistan
Dr. Abdulgafoor Bachani, ReLAB-HS Director, addressing participants at the second GRLI course in Islamabad, Pakistan (July, 2023). Photo courtesy of Hanaa Ahsan, ReLAB-HS
Dr. Arif Alvi presenting at the GRLI 2023 Pakistan
President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, addressing Global Rehabilitation Leadership Institute (GRLI), emphasizes the increasing importance of strengthening rehabilitation services in Pakistan. Photo by Assad Abbas Malik, ReLAB-HS