Video: CHOP Leadership on Importance of Global Health Work

CHOP Leadership on Importance of Global Health Work

Madeline Bell: Well, CHOP treats children globally, so we have children from all over the world who come here to seek care. And as a result, we feel compelled to help support children in underserved communities, not just in our backyard, but in underserved communities globally.

Joseph W. St. Geme, MD: I think the opportunity to participate in global health experiences, in global locations, in underdeveloped countries outside the United States is very important to a number of our trainees. They've developed a global perspective as they've gone through their training to date. They've developed an interest in other parts of the world. They appreciate the opportunity to influence child health in a very global way, beyond our local community, beyond Philadelphia. And that's important to them and that's important to the institution.

Maria Dunn, DO: For me, the beautiful marriage between serving and learning was something that called me here. And I think, we need to remember that we live in a world that's not just insulated, it's not just the U.S. and so any experience you have that broadens your perspective to include people in other countries and diseases that are happening in other places, I think that makes you a better doctor no matter where you end up long term.

Kassa Darge, MD: CHOP's role in global health stems from the fact that CHOP is one of the top pediatric institutions in the United States and, by extension, worldwide. So I strongly think a high-end academic institution has the responsibility to share their knowledge with those who do not have access to that.

Francisca Vasquez, MD: (speaking Spanish)  We have different neighborhoods in the community of Consuelo including those that have come from surrounding sugar cane communities and they are very vulnerable. Most of these children have never had the opportunity to see a specialist or pediatrician. And thanks to the support of CHOP and their team that has supported us, we have been able to guarantee high-quality healthcare service for these children.

Merlin Ramirez: (speaking Spanish)  This is great because you provide us with training; you teach us how to help our communities prevent illness, which is something that we never had before. This partnership is beneficial to us because thanks to you, we can grow and help our community.

Ramona Cordero: (speaking Spanish)   The help of CHOP and of those who support CHOP is important because this helps us work toward the Millennium Development Goals, and these goals aim to ensure that all human beings have the same rights to health, education, housing, etc. You are not only supporting our country, you are supporting humanity.

Andrew P. Steenhoff, Medical Director, Global Health Center: CHOP's Global health Center is making an impact in four areas. Clinically more than 10,000 patient lives have been touched so far. As teachers, one-and-a-half thousand medical students, residents and faculty have been taught. Through the Pincus Fellowship, we're training leaders in pediatric global health. In research, our team has written more than 100 academic papers describing new approaches to better care for children in global settings.

As advocates for children globally, the center's work is changing national and international health guidelines.