"Why are you in Africa again?" a friend asks me. Good question. Here's a bit of context to what I'm doing here. I'm currently the resident in a post-PharmD training Public Health Residency sponsored by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation (BMSF). This program is designed to focus on two different public-private partnerships during each half of the year:
Secure the Future (STF), a program that develops and replicates innovative and sustainable solutions for vulnerable populations, including women and children, infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa
Together on Diabetes, a program that improves health outcomes of people living with type 2 diabetes in the United States, especially adult populations disproportionately affected by the disease
STF entered its third phase as a Technical Assistance and skills transfer program (TAP) in 2008, and there's an expert pool of TAP faculty members who shares their experience, knowledge and expertise to the organizations receiving grants from STF. While I'm here, I'm providing technical assistance to non-governmental organizations and community-based organizations.
The residency is based on projects rather than rotations, and there has been a diversity of projects I'm engaged in (more to come in future posts). There has also been a fair amount of freedom to pursue projects that I have identified as needs in the community (e.g. diabetes health education in township clinics).
That's why I'm currently in Africa.
A much needed explanation!
ReplyDeleteI'm stalking you :) hehe