Beyond Flexner: The Hunt for Medicine\u27s Elusive Social Mission

21st annual Paul C. Brucker, MD lecture Fitzhugh S. M. Mullan is Murdock Head Professor of Medicine and Health Policy, a joint position in SPHHS and the SMHS. His primary appointment is in the Department of Health Policy. A pediatrician whose far-reaching career has included clinical, administrative and editorial responsibilities in both the public and the private sector, Dr. Mullan is also a cancer survivor and the Founding President of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. Cognizant of the importance of communicating with both lay and professional audiences, Dr. Mullan is a contributing editor to Health Affairs and the editor of that journal\u27s Narrative Matters section; a prolific book reviewer; and author of a number of general-interest books, including Vital Signs: A Young Doctor\u27s Struggle with Cancer and Big Doctoring in America: Profiles in Primary Care. Prior to joining the School\u27s faculty in 1996, Dr. Mullan directed the Bureau of Health Professions in the federal Health Resources and Services Administration, earning the rank of Assistant Surgeon General. Dr. Mullan is Director of the Department\u27s Hirsh Program in Medicine and Public Policy, which works to advance understanding of the influence of medicine and medical education on health care and public health. Presentation: 1 hou

Teachers abroad: collaboration between the Peace Corps, Seed Global Health, and African medical and nursing schools in faculty scale-up

Background: In 2012, the US Peace Corps and Seed Global Health, supported by PEPFAR, developed the Global Health Service Partnership (GHSP) to address extreme shortages of health-care providers in low-income countries. In 2013, GHSP placed 30 physicians and nurses on faculties at medical and nursing schools in Tanzania, Uganda, and Malawi to support educational capacity development aimed at long-term health system strengthening. Seed Global Health offers privately funded debt repayment to offset loan obligations and reduces barriers to participation. Methods: GHSP recruited US faculty to work at sites selected in consultation with Ministries of Health and Education and other partners. Qualitative and quantitative surveys of applicants and volunteers were used to identify opportunities for continued and enhanced volunteer support during service. Findings: Data review of recruitment and placements identified two career stages of volunteers—early and late. Regardless of seniority, substantial financial challenge exists for individuals considering GHSP. 27 volunteers require debt relief. The bimodal volunteer distribution suggests that, worldwide, opportunities are growing for midcareer faculty to serve as clinical educators. Midcareer faculty will need specific support because they are often unable to consider positions that entail substantial salary reduction associated with a year working abroad or an interruption of their academic activities, or both. Interpretation: The financial challenge to individuals considering global service is problematic, especially for midcareer professionals. A so-called sabbatical corps could provide US institution-based funding and support for faculty who would transfer skills to their global counterparts and bring novel skills home in return. The sabbatical corps would effectively expand the pool of educators needed. Funding: President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the Exxon Mobil Foundation, the Engelhard Foundation, Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, Pfizer Foundation, and Goldman Sachs Gives