Joseph Lubega Receives Rice360 Innovation and Leadership in Global Health Award

Joseph Lubega, MD, MPH, CPE has received the Rice360 Innovation and Leadership in Global Health Award, recognizing his sustained contributions to improving global access to pediatric care. 

An internationally recognized leader in pediatric hematology‑oncology, Dr. Lubega serves as Director of the Global HOPE (Hematology‑Oncology Pediatric Excellence) Program at Texas Children’s Cancer & Hematology Center. In this role, he has led efforts to strengthen the quality of care for children with cancer and serious blood disorders across Africa.

Through the Global HOPE Program, Dr. Lubega led the establishment of the first university‑accredited pediatric hematology‑oncology fellowship programs in Eastern Africa. These programs have trained more than 35 pioneering specialists from across the African continent, who are now expanding access to specialized care within their home countries and communities. 

Dr. Lubega’s work also includes collaboration with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on a landmark partnership focused on strengthening care for children with sickle cell disease. This initiative integrates essential services into primary health systems, and supports locally driven, sustainable approaches to improving care delivery.

As part of this recognition, Dr. Lubega delivered the keynote address on April 24, 2026, at the Rice360 Institute for Global Health Technologies Design Competition, where he shared his insights with future medical innovators.

About Global HOPE:

Launched in 2017 by Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center, the Global HOPE Program works to expand access to high‑quality pediatric hematology‑oncology care. The program supports specialist training and multidisciplinary team development, while also improving access to essential medicines and diagnostics. The program also partners with governments and communities to build sustainable systems of care for children with cancer and serious blood disorders.

Learn more about Global HOPE here.

View Dr. Lubega’s TXCH profile here.