Global Health Center Overview
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is a globally recognized leader in pursuing perfection in patient care, innovative professional education and breakthrough discoveries in research.
The goal of the new Global Health Center is to provide a focal point for advocacy, education, scholarship, research and leadership training for Cincinnati Children's and the University of Cincinnati.
Initiating New Activities and Expanding Existing Ones
In order to accomplish this goal we will initiate new global activities and expanding current activities. These activities include expansion of the International Patient Care and Education Program that provides specialized services for patients and their families who are coming from outside the United States for treatment, along with assistance in bringing international scholars to Cincinnati Children's to learn from our world-renowned specialists. Through collaboration with the Division of Infectious Diseases we plan to establish a Global Childhood Vaccine Development and Evaluation Center that will allow us to share our expertise in vaccine research with countries around the globe.
Research
Research interests in the Global Health Center include the use of childhood vaccines including pneumococcal and influenza vaccine in countries with limited resources. Through collaborations in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal, we are evaluating the burden of disease due to pneumococcal and Hib vaccine-preventable infections. We are also investigating the prevention and treatment of low levels of Vitamin D in Arabian women.
Educational and Mentorship Programs
Educational and mentorship programs currently under development in the Global Health Center include a visiting lectureship series in global child health to bring distinguished clinicians and scientists to Cincinnati Children's, and a monthly journal club for residents, fellows and faculty. Also, through a partnership with Procter & Gamble, the Bang Bao Scholar Program provides Chinese pediatric scholars with the opportunity to train with senior research faculty at Cincinnati Children's. At the end of one year, these scholars return home with a grant that allows them to continue their research efforts and educate their colleagues in China.
