Durham Regional to Host Physicians From the Former Soviet Union

Durham, NC- Durham Regional Hospital will host a group of physicians from Georgia, the former Soviet Union, Monday, October 29, 2007, as a part of the Community Connections Program, to learn how professional medical associations in the United States operate.

The visitors are working to develop partnerships with U.S. health foundations, health-related Non-Government Organizations (NGO's), and professional health associations to adapt best practices during the health care reform process in Georgia. The visitors will learn how professional medical associations in the U.S. are engaged in recruiting, licensing and accreditation, professional lobbying and evidence-based guideline development and enforcement.

Georgian physicians will also meet with their counterparts, including doctors from the emergency room, endocrinologists, gynecologists, obstetricians and surgeons.

The International Affairs Council (IAC) administers the Community Connections Program which is sponsored by the US State Department and United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Visitors are selected by American officials overseas and come to the United States for two to four week periods of sponsored travel though the auspices of the International Visitor Leadership Program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, United States Department of State. The International Affairs Council is a volunteer-based, nonprofit corporation that serves the triangle area. Their mission is to increase global understanding by arranging for distinguished international visitors to meet with their American professional counterparts for the exchange of ideas and information.