Landmark Medical Symposium to Focus on Africa, Global Health Care

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 20, 2012) — Africa is facing a severe shortage of health and medical professionals, as well as a gap in its medical and scientific knowledge.  To stimulate dialogue and produce solutions for these problems, the University of Kentucky’s Global Health Initiative and People to People (P2P), a global nonprofit, are convening a symposium from 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27, in the UK Chandler Hospital Pavilion A Auditorium.

The symposium will bring together academics and clinicians to explore medical education, funding for health care partnerships and health care issues in sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on Ethiopia. Other topics will include ideas for twinning and tele-medicine initiatives, international exchange programs, case-based exchanges and e-mentoring.

The event is free and open to the public; no registration is required.

"UK’s Global Health Initiative is focused on bringing together the strengths across UK’s campus, in international health care, with a focus on disparities in access to top-quality treatments," Susan Carvalho, associate provost for international programs, said.  "This conference will focus on how universities in the U.S. can partner with those in Africa, in particular with medical schools there, to create opportunities for students to learn on both sides, and for all of us to share best practices.”

Among those participating in the symposium from UK are UK President Eli Capilouto; Susan Carvalho; Dr. Michael Karpf, UK's executive vice president for health affairs; and Dr. Frederick deBeer, dean of UK's College of Medicine.  From P2P, Dr. Enawgaw Mehari, founder and president and Dr. Kinfe Gebeyehu, executive vice president, will attend.  

Joining this prominent team are Ethiopian Minister of Health Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and Ethiopian diaspora leaders from Albert Einstein School of Medicine, East Carolina University, George Washington University, the Mayo Clinic, Stanford University School of Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin, West Virginia School of Medicine, as well as representatives from World Bank and the National Institutes of Health.

Founded in 1999, P2P is an international network of organizations, with headquarters in the U.S. and an office in Ethiopia that serves as a focal point for all global chapters of the  organization. There are currently more than 5,000 P2P members worldwide, including doctors and other professionals who strive to make a difference in the lives of others.  P2P also holds consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNESCO).

MEDIA CONTACT: Sarah Geegan, (859) 257-5365; sarah.geegan@uky.edu