{"id":6596,"date":"2026-07-13T11:05:07","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T16:05:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/?p=6596"},"modified":"2026-07-13T11:05:11","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T16:05:11","slug":"the-world-cup-and-the-world-of-infectious-diseases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/2026\/07\/13\/the-world-cup-and-the-world-of-infectious-diseases\/","title":{"rendered":"The World Cup and the World of Infectious Diseases"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Written by: Nicole Kusnik, MD, MS<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the FIFA World Cup 2026TM<\/sup> brings together nations from around the globe, it\u2019s a reminder that some of the strongest teams are built from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. The same is true in Infectious Diseases. Our division is united by a shared commitment to patient care, education, and discovery, yet our journeys to Nebraska span continents. From Mexico, England, Ecuador, and beyond, our faculty, fellows, and staff bring unique experiences that enrich the way we care for patients, educate learners, and advance research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Infectious diseases do not recognize borders, and neither does the collaboration required to prevent, diagnose, and treat them. Every day, we learn from one another\u2019s perspectives, cultures, and experiences to better serve our patients and communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This World Cup season, we\u2019re celebrating the global nature of our specialty and the individuals whose diverse experiences strengthen our team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meet a Few Members of Our Global Roster<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Two
L-R: Dr. Sara Bares, and Case Manager Augustin Delgado Jimenez<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Close-up
Valentina Orduna supporting Team Mexico. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Dr. Sara Bares, MD<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Role: Associate Professor, Medical Director of the Specialty Care Center<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Country represented: I\u2019m Mexican<\/strong> but lived in Brazil in 2002 and got to experience a Brazilian championship that year so I feel loyal to both teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Languages spoken: English, Spanish, Portuguese (conversational)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI love seeing my patients\u2019 eyes light up when they realize they don\u2019t need an interpreter. It helps them open up more easily and allows us to build stronger, more trusting relationships<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Valentina Orduna, CMA\/CPhT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Role: Medical Case Manager at the Specialty Care Center<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Country represented: Mexico<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Languages spoken: English, Spanish<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGrowing up in a low socioeconomic background in Mexico and moving to the US at age 13 without knowing English taught me to be empathetic, understanding, and deeply respectful of different cultures and beliefs. These experiences have made me a resilient advocate for marginalized populations and vulnerable patients<\/em>.” <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Person
Dr. Juan Teran-Plasencia in Isla Isabela in the Galapagos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Close-up
Dr. Swindells and her 9-year-old grandson watching the soccer match.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Dr. Juan Teran-Plasencia, MD<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Role: Assistant Professor, Medical Director of Nebraska ICAP, Associate Medical Director of Infection Control & Epidemiology<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Country represented: Ecuador<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Languages spoken: English, Spanish<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs an Ecuadorian, my background helps me connect with patients, especially those from Spanish-speaking communities. When I can speak with patients in Spanish, it often makes conversations more comfortable and helps me better understand their experiences and where they are coming from.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Susan Swindells, MBBS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Role: Professor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Country represented: England<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Languages spoken: English, French<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGrowing up in a country with a National Health Service, I have always felt healthcare to be a right that should be available to everyone. I have tried to practice my clinical care and research and teach accordingly<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Two
From left to right: Dr. Jasmine Marcelin (ID) and Dr. Alberto Marcelin (Family Medicine). <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Two
From left to right: Dr. Nicole Kusnik (ID) and Dr. Alexander Kusnik (GI and Hepatology).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Dr. Jasmine R Marcelin, MD<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Role: Associate Professor, Vice Chair of Belonging & Community Engagement, Co-Director Digital Innovation and Social Media Strategy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Country represented: I\u2019m from Dominica<\/strong>. We don’t have a football team in the World Cup, but my husband is Haitian so this year we repped Haiti big time – Ayiti, nou la! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Languages spoken: English, French & Haitian Creole (conversational) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“My international roots and experiences help me to connect with people through shared interests or even just curiosity<\/em>.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Nicole Kusnik, MD, MS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Role: 2026 Graduate, soon to join as faculty!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Country represented: Canada<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Languages spoken: English, German (conversational)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHaving studied and trained in Canada, Poland, Germany, and the US, I\u2019ve been fortunate to experience healthcare through many different cultural lenses. Living abroad taught me what it feels like to navigate a new country, language, and healthcare system, and that experience has made me more patient, empathetic, and intentional when caring for patients from diverse backgrounds.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Person
Dr. Nada Fadul wearing Ghana colors<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Four
Dr. Kelly Cawcutt and her family at the FIFA World Cup 2026<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Dr. Nada Fadul, MD<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Role: Professor, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Country represented: Ghana (World Cup country) with a connection to Sudan <\/strong>(my home country) through shared African heritage, strong community traditions, and the legacy of ancient African civilizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Languages spoken: English, Arabic<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy Sudanese and Nubian heritage, rooted in one of Africa\u2019s oldest civilizations, has shaped my commitment to service, community, resilience, and respect for cultural identity. I also value the connections between Sudan and Ghana, including their rich histories, strong communal values, and traditions of African leadership, which reinforce my approach to culturally responsive care, inclusive teaching, and research grounded in the needs of communities<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Kelly Cawcutt, MD, MS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Role: Associate Professor, Senior Medical Director of Infection Control & Epidemiology, Medical Director of Acute Care Quality<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Country represented: USA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Languages spoken: English<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRepresenting the US, soccer, travel and friends all shape how I practice medicine. The World Cup being hosted in the US has shown a more local spotlight on the most important thing – we are all so much more alike than not, demonstrating how thousands can come together and celebrate our differences and learn from the beauty of each of our cultures, countries and histories.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Different countries. Different journeys. One team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNMC Infectious Diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n