WASHINGTON, D.C. - A three-year Letter of Intent for Collaboration was signed recently between Partner for Surgery (PfS) and The George Washington University (GW), on behalf of the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Office of International Medicine Programs.
GW and PfS will explore collaboration for the purpose of improving access and quality of healthcare services delivered to underserved regions in Guatemala, especially in the areas of surgery and related services, conducting epidemiological studies of importance to the regions, and to advance educational efforts to increase GW students’ exposure to global health needs and issues.
Areas of possible collaboration include:
- Providing medical teams for Surgical Mission and Mobile Medical Mission (triage) programs
- Fieldwork and educational opportunities for GW Medical and Public Health students
- Technical support for epidemiological studies regarding medical conditions like cleft lip/palate
- Educational and training opportunities for Guatemalan students and doctors
- Internship opportunities for GW students
- Preparation of joint funding proposals to support research and education collaborations
Partner for Surgery, recently named one of only five international “Worthy Non-Profits” by the Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington provides impoverished Guatemalans with sustainable access to medical care and empowers them to advocate for vital health services. Since Partner for Surgery was founded in 2001, 40,000 impoverished Guatemalan children and their families have received medical attention and health education, and 7,000 people have received access to surgery.
