Washington, D.C. PAHO HQ.
June 21, 2007.

"Senior PAHOs Interns" as the Director called them, met Dr. Mirta Roses Periago today, in a breakfast meeting celebrating the second year of the Fulbright-PAHO Internship Program in Public Health.

The meeting was chaired by Dr. Mirta Roses, PAHO's Director; Dr. Charles Godue, Unit Chief, Human Resources for Health; Ms. Karen Gladbach, Manager, Training and Fellowships; and Ms. Farida Kerouani, Coordinator, Internships and Practicums.

Fulbright Interns this year included an exceptional group of students from Haiti, Madagascar, Venezuela, Afghanistan and Nicaragua. The Fulbright Program is funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Institute of International Education.

Dr. Roses addressed the meeting noting that it's very fortunate for PAHO to have Fulbright Interns for a second year now, adding that it is important for the work of the Organization, for the relationships that develop between students and staff and the experience that interns bring to PAHO. Interns' new ideas, expectations and questions stimulate us and challenge us to improve our work, enriching the work of the Organization as a whole.

The Pan American Health Organization has a 23 years history of developing international public health professionals through their International Public Health Professional Program and more recently their Internship and Fulbright Internship Programs. Despite this long trajectory, every year brings new challenges, ideas and renewed commitment to the students. Several hundred professionals have graduated from these programs, with graduates working in their country's ministry of health, in the academic field, research, and multiple health agencies. These educational programs are an invaluable partner for the work and leadership of the Organization in the Region and across the world.

"I would like to thank each of you for choosing The Pan American Health Organization as your agency for studying public health"- the Director added.

During the meeting every student had the opportunity to share their experiences, and express the expectations they had when they first arrived at PAHO, and the knowledge and growth that they have attained through their internship.

Students from the U.S. Department of State thanked PAHO expressing that the internship exceeded their expectations, having had excellent educational and country experiences and opportunities to actively contribute to the work of the Organization.

Students from Haiti expressed that the program is all about impact, and it was very useful for learning how we can work at country level in liaison with the regional strategies.

The Fulbright Interns agreed on the impact and importance of public health settings to improve the health of the countries of the region and on the tremendous value of the PAHO Internship Program. Most of the Interns added that they are anxious to get back to their countries and set their new goals in order to work together with PAHO for the health of the peoples of the hemisphere.

In the afternoon, the Director met with the Interns of the PAHO Internship Program, a program that opens its doors to students throughout the world through professional practices, under the unit of `Human Resources for Health`; a program that received more than 100 interns in its first year, incorporating universities from the five continents. Throughout the program the students established a wonderful relationship with professionals within the Organization and participated together in high-level projects in areas of strategic cooperation and relevant research for the countries of the Region.

PAHO as a leader institution in international public health in the Region has a great responsibility in forming new generations of health professionals and instilling in them, as a legacy, the commitment to work for public health and to establish and give continuity to health policies that will contribute to the well-being of the peoples of the Americas.

The Director concluded that it is always a pleasure to meet the Interns, "all of you bring energy and dreams to the Organization", she said.

More information:
Fulbright-PAHO Internship in Public Health - Information Sheet
Director's BLOG Article: Colaborando con la formación y desarrollo de los recursos humanos en salud [12.15.2006]
Director's Corner News: Programa de Formación en Salud Internacional. Diciembre 6, 2006.
"El Tiempo Latino", Newspaper, Washington D.C. [12.8.2006] La Organización Panamericana de Salud abre las puertas a estudiantes de todo el mundo, a través de prácticas profesionales (.pdf)

For more information, please contact Gladbach, Ms. Karen (WDC). Manager, Training and Fellowships Human Resources for Health and/or Kerouani, Ms. Farida (WDC). Coordinator, Internships and Practicums. Health Systems Strengthening Unit.