NEW YORK, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Pfizer Inc today announced its fifth class of Global Health Fellows, twenty-two colleagues from North America, Europe and Asia who will volunteer up to six months of their time to work on projects that address serious health issues around the world. Global Health Fellows is a unique approach to corporate philanthropy that pairs Pfizer employees with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other devastating diseases.
The program helps provide the local resources necessary to address the critical healthcare demands created by disease and poverty. Fellows apply their skills in science, technology, communications, health education and finance to train researchers and healthcare providers, to develop new health-based programs and to upgrade facilities and infrastructure to meet the needs of patients and communities.
“By transferring their expertise to local healthcare workers, these Fellows make lasting contributions to support health systems in communities ravaged by diseases,” said Hank McKinnell, chairman and chief executive officer of Pfizer. “The Pfizer Global Health Fellows program represents an innovative collaboration between NGOs and the private sector to significantly improve the lives of people around the world in a sustainable way.”
This year’s class includes Fellows from five states in the U.S. -- Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Tennessee. Since the launch of the program in 2003, more than 70 Pfizer colleagues worldwide have undertaken international volunteer assignments.
“I congratulate all those selected to participate in Pfizer’s Global Health Fellows program,” said Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), representing the state with the largest contingency of new Health Fellows. “I’m confident that this program and the work of Pfizer’s dedicated volunteers will go a long way towards continuing to increase education and training and to provide better health for some of the world’s most vulnerable populations.”
Miao-Miao Horng, a scientist at Pfizer’s Kalamazoo site, is an example of the expertise and support that the Health Fellows will provide. One of three Fellows from Michigan, Ms. Horng will work with Project Hope in Wuhan, China. Applying her background in infectious diseases and immunology, she will evaluate and update clinical laboratory techniques to improve efficiency in a resource-poor setting. She also will train and mentor healthcare workers at the city’s major hospital, as well as the clinics and healthcare centers in the township and surrounding villages. This is the first time a Pfizer Global Health Fellow will work in China, where HIV/AIDS is a growing public health concern.
“I commend Pfizer and its talented employees for their ongoing commitment to fighting the scourges of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other devastating diseases through the Global Health Fellows program,” said Congressman Fred Upton (R-MI) of Michigan’s seventh district. “Joining the fifth class of Fellows are three area residents, Miao-Miao Horng, Ronald Kuhn and Carole Stevens. I am deeply appreciative of their willingness to commit six months to working with NGOs to bring their expertise to bear on projects that will improve the quality of life and health in China, Nigeria and other nations across the world.”
Global Health Fellows are selected through a competitive process that considers their desire to make a difference in the world, their strengths in teaching and training, and their enthusiasm to see their work carried on by local teams. Pfizer funds their transportation, lodging and other expenses, as well as maintaining their full pay and benefits while they are participating in the program.
This class of Fellows will work with NGOs that include American Jewish World Service, BroadReach Healthcare, Family Health International, Health Volunteers Overseas, Institute of OneWorld Health, International Trachoma Initiative, Opportunities Industrialization Centers International, Population Services International, Project Hope, The Mothers Programmes, TACAIDS and WaterAid.
For more information on the Pfizer Global Health Fellows program go to www.pfizerphilanthropy.com.
Pfizer’s philanthropic efforts totaled more than $1.2 billion in 2004. The company recently received the Excellence in Corporate Philanthropy Award from the Committee to Encourage Corporate Philanthropy in recognition of its commitment to corporate giving.
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