For more information contact: Boonshoft School of Medicine, Marketing and Communications (937) 775-2951

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2008

Victor Sidel, M.D., founder of the Nobel Peace Prize winning organization
International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War
will address
“War and Public Health”
at
WSU Medical Student’s Annual Global Health Symposium and Silent Auction

DAYTON, OHIO—Medical students at the Boonshoft School of Medicine are highlighting current issues in global health at their Third Annual Global Health Symposium and Silent Auction. Doctor Victor Sidel, co-founder of the organization, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, the recipient of a Nobel Peace Prize, is the invited speaker for the event. He will address “War and Public Health.” The event will be Monday, April 7 from 6-9:00 p.m., in the Rotunda of Dayton's Historic Old Courthouse, 7 North Main Street in Dayton. The event is Free and open to the public. R.S.V.P. is requested.

The Global Health Symposium and Silent Auction annual event not only raises awareness about global health issues but serves as a fundraiser for medical students to help offset the cost of international student travel. The silent auction includes donations from local restaurants, salons, Dayton Ballet, and more. Completion of the silent auction will conclude the evening’s festivities.

Victor W. Sidel, M.D., is a Distinguished University Professor of Social Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, N.Y., and Adjunct Professor of Public Health, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York City, and past president of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, which received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985.

Also speaking during the evening will be Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine alumna Katharine M. Conway, M.D., (’05). She is now chief resident in the Family Medicine Residency at Case Medical Center/University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Conway has been enrolled in the International Health Track throughout her residency, taking several trips to Guatemala for clinical participation and research.

Global Health Initiative (GHI) was established by Wright State’s medical students to educate and promote issues on global health and the growing impact these have on the United States. The organization’s mission is to enhance the education of medical students by exposing them to the medical issues facing both people in other countries and immigrants to the U.S., and in so doing, to inspire greater compassion, social justice, and empathy within Wright State’s future physicians.

GHI provides medical students with encouragement and opportunities to travel to developing countries where health issues are prevalent. For example, Wright State’s fourth-year medical students have participated in several medical service trips lasting from two weeks to a month in Nigeria; Ecuador; and Guatemala, and have participated in medical service trips to Belize, Haiti, Swaziland, Honduras and Costa Rica.

For more information about the event or to register, contact the Office of Advancement at (937) 775-3903, by e-mail at helou.2@wright.edu, or online at med.wright.edu/whatsnew/GHI_08.html. Silent auction donations are gratefully accepted, with all business contributions recognized in the program.

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