Background

Soon thereafter a formal collaboration wasestablished between Duke University and the University of Espirito Santo in Vitoria, Brazil. In a manner similar to Tanzania, Duke University faculty and trainees assisted Brazilian physicians in caring for the large number of patients seen in both the clinics and on the inpatient wards. In addition, Duke research faculty assisted their Brazilian counterparts   in establishing laboratory facilities to study tuberculosis, leishmania, malaria, and HIV infection through funding from the NIH, the Brazilian Federal and State governments, the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, the World Health Organization as well as private foundations. As a result more than 40 Duke physicians have received research and clinical training at UFES.

Since these initial collaborations the Global Health Program has expanded in many directions. First, new collaborations were begun at 11 additional sites around the world. Next, the Minority International Research Training Program was initiated resulting in extended (1 year) overseas experiences for 65 students. Third, in conjunction with the Department of Pediatrics (1995) came the support of the Lennox-Baker Scholarship which helped fund the participation of 21 Medicine/Pediatric Residents in overseas rotations. In 1998, the Department of Psychiatry joined the Program resulting in the participation of 4 Medicine/Psychiatry residents at overseas sites. Because of these efforts and collaborations, students, residents, fellows and attending physicians have had the opportunity to spend extended periods (3 months to 5 years) participating in research and education in the Developing World.

Currently the Division of Emergency Medicine is working to establish funding to allow Emergency Medicine residents to participate in overseas rotations, assist in patient care, disaster preparedness and response.

In addition to overseas activities the international program has had the opportunity to host over 40 physicians from China, Tanzania, Brazil, and Thailand. (Appendix C) Living within walking distance of the medical center, these physicians have participated in clinical and research opportunities. The great majority of these physicians have returned home to a career of research and education employing the skills learned here at Duke.

All of the above efforts have been assisted by outside contributors. The most important of these contributors have been the Hubert and Yeargan Foundations. Beginning almost four years ago these two foundations have undertaken to support the Global Health Program by creating Endowments in their names. These endowments to date have been targeted to the overseas training of residents and fellows.