April 14, 2000

The Partners International Program recently launched a series of outreach events geared toward members of the international diplomatic community in the nation's capital. Called Executive Medical Updates, the events are meant to educate ambassadors, senior diplomats and medical personnel from around the world about the services and care offered by the Partners institutions.

The first event, "New Directions in Cancer Care and Research," featured guest speakers Bruce Chabner, MD, medical director of the MGH Cancer Center and of Dana-Farber/Partners CancerCare; Jay Loeffler, MD, director of the Northeast Proton Therapy Center at the MGH; and Robert Osteen, MD, associate chief of Surgery at BWH.

The three physicians led a discussion about the latest cancer treatments and research being conducted at Partners hospitals to an audience of diplomats representing more than 31 countries from regions such as Latin America, Europe, Africa and the Far and Middle East. Also in attendance were representatives from international organizations such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the Organization of American States.

"Most decision-makers in the international arena have heard of Harvard, but many are less familiar with the individual hospitals that provide the kind of world-class care we offer at the Partners institutions," says David Jones, director of the International Program. "Our goal for this event and the series is to showcase Partners hospitals, physicians and programs by reaching out to representatives of international organizations headquartered in Washington, DC, who can be conduits of information to their own countries."

According to Lesley Macherelli of the Partners International Program, who is based in Washington, the series also is meant to foster in-depth relationships with countries that might seek medical expertise from the United States to improve their own health systems. "Not only are these events meant to be educational about our services, but we also hope to show that Partners is prepared for and interested in playing a role in international medicine." Partners recently announced one such collaboration with the United Arab Emirates that began in January.

Cary Mazzone, also of the Partners International Program, says that the response to the event has been positive and that at least two of these outreach events will be held each year. "Partners hospitals, particularly the MGH and BWH, have worked internationally for a long time," she says. "But this is a way to create an even higher profile for our physicians and institutions."

Maria Livia Tosato, MD, scientific attaché for the Italian Embassy in Washington, commented that the event was useful and timely for those who work in the embassies. "All of us know Harvard, but how do we get patients there? How do we direct our countrymen to seek the help they need? This event created an atmosphere for dialogue and exchange rarely encountered in similar forums. It is clear that nothing is more useful than direct contact with the physicians who work within the institutions," she says.