Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist M.D. visited a women's group at Grace Chapel Saturday morning to say thank you for about 1,000 caps for newborn babies.
Contact: Joe Smith (423) 439-4317 January 13, 2009 Niswonger Foundation contributes $20K to ETSU College of Public Health JOHNSON CITY - To provide international public health training opportunities for students, the Niswonger Foundation is contributing $20,000 to East Tennessee State University's College of Public Health. This funding will support the new Frist Global Health Scholars Program. Established by former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, the program will allow the College of Public Health to offer international field placement experiences. Funding from the Niswonger Foundation will be used to support three ETSU students who will live, work, and learn in a developing country as part of their educational training. "The Niswonger Foundation's generosity is a major boost for public health education," said Dr. Randy Wykoff, ETSU Dean of Public Health. "There is a dire need for more public health leaders, and graduates who have an international perspective will have a more comprehensive understanding of their profession. Our students' knowledge of public health and community-based programs here in the United States can be of tremendous value in developing countries. "We are grateful to Senator Frist and the Niswonger Foundation for providing this exciting and innovative learning opportunity for our students." Wykoff said ETSU students participating in the program will receive on-site mentoring from qualified health professionals working in those communities and will oversee public health intervention programs addressing concerns such as clean water and sanitation, insect/disease control, maternal education, child survival, or environmental remediation. All ETSU undergraduate and graduate public health students are required to complete a field internship. Speaking of the Foundation's contribution to this program, Mr.Scott M. Niswonger stated: "A major goal of the Niswonger Foundation is to prepare our region's future leaders to face changes and challenges. Health care is a major concern for our region and beyond. The Frist Global Health Scholars Program along with the efforts of the ETSU College of Public Health will provide these future public health professionals the opportunity to gain an exceptional understanding of their field of study by providing them the chance to address health issues on an international scale. We are proud to be part of this extraordinary educational endeavor." The Greeneville, Tennessee based Niswonger Foundation is the brainchild of businessman and philanthropist Scott M. Niswonger, who remains the Foundation's sole benefactor. The mission of the Foundation is: "To create opportunities for individual and community growth through education." Further information regarding this Foundation can be found at www.niswongerfoundation.org. # # #
Save the Children NEEDS YOU!
Jan 14 2009
Save the Children posted a concept on the Change.org web site based on S25 called "Save the Lives of Children ~ Improve Global Child Health" and the idea qualified for the final round. Today a new round of voting begins, and goes through January 15th. If we're one of the top ideas, we'll be invited to a reception with the Case Foundation and Change.org will support a grassroots advocacy campaign around the idea.
Frist Honors Women at Grace Chapel for over 1000 caps donated for Knit One, Save One Campaign
Jan 12 2009
We had a fantastic event on Saturday morning with the women of Grace Chapel Church here in Leipers Fork, TN. What an amazing bunch of women!
A few months ago, my good friend Reese Smith introduced the Knit One, Save One Campaign, a national grassroots effort launched by the global humanitarian organization Save the Children and the Warm Up America Foundation, to his wife, Emily, an avid knitter and member of the "Knitting with Grace" club at the church. The initiative aims to draw attention to the 4 million newborns that die each year in the first month of life in the developing world. Participants are asked to make a baby cap, and are also encouraged to write a personal note to President-elect Barack Obama urging him to lead the way to save millions of babies globally.
A few months ago, my good friend Reese Smith introduced the Knit One, Save One Campaign, a national grassroots effort launched by the global humanitarian organization Save the Children and the Warm Up America Foundation, to his wife, Emily, an avid knitter and member of the "Knitting with Grace" club at the church. The initiative aims to draw attention to the 4 million newborns that die each year in the first month of life in the developing world. Participants are asked to make a baby cap, and are also encouraged to write a personal note to President-elect Barack Obama urging him to lead the way to save millions of babies globally.
U.S. Aid Should Be Earned
Dec 20 2008
AS Barack Obama works to reinvigorate America's standing in the world, foreign aid will be one of his most precise tools of statecraft. Ever since the Marshall Plan helped rebuild Europe after World War II, aid has been instrumental in winning hearts and minds and catalyzing global economic growth that has contributed to America's prosperity.
From Ashes, Amai Pakpak Medical Center rises anew with high hopes for region
Colonel Bill Coultrup
Dec 17 2008
WHO:
Staff and employees of the Amai Pakpak Medical Center; local citizens of the Marawi region; and several distinguished visitors, including Undersecretary of the Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement, Edilberto Adan; Lanao del Sur First Lady to the Governor, Raifa Adiong; Professor Paladan Badron, Marawi City Administrator (on behalf of Mayor Fahad Salic, al Hadj); Dr. Amer Saber, Chief of APMC; Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga, AFP WESMINCOM Commander; Brig. Gen. Magalso, AFP 1st Infantry Division Deputy Commander; Col. Rey Ardo, AFP 103rd Brigade Commander; Colonel Bill Coultrup, Commander of the JSOTF-P; and Mr. Harold Wolf, President and CEO of ENDEC, Inc.
WHAT:
With the cut of a ceremonial ribbon, leaders from across the Mindanao region inaugurated the new Amai Pakpak Medical Center (APMC)-just 8 months from when the U.S. Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines awarded a contract employing local workers to build the new Center. The U.S. provided $660,058 (US) to fill the void left by a 2006 fire that destroyed the former facility.
Staff and employees of the Amai Pakpak Medical Center; local citizens of the Marawi region; and several distinguished visitors, including Undersecretary of the Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement, Edilberto Adan; Lanao del Sur First Lady to the Governor, Raifa Adiong; Professor Paladan Badron, Marawi City Administrator (on behalf of Mayor Fahad Salic, al Hadj); Dr. Amer Saber, Chief of APMC; Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga, AFP WESMINCOM Commander; Brig. Gen. Magalso, AFP 1st Infantry Division Deputy Commander; Col. Rey Ardo, AFP 103rd Brigade Commander; Colonel Bill Coultrup, Commander of the JSOTF-P; and Mr. Harold Wolf, President and CEO of ENDEC, Inc.
WHAT:
With the cut of a ceremonial ribbon, leaders from across the Mindanao region inaugurated the new Amai Pakpak Medical Center (APMC)-just 8 months from when the U.S. Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines awarded a contract employing local workers to build the new Center. The U.S. provided $660,058 (US) to fill the void left by a 2006 fire that destroyed the former facility.
Well, it's hard to believe that December is upon us, and that I've been here three months already. Africare--Sierra Leone recently welcomed Vicki Johnson to our office, who is joining us as our new Country Representative.
JOHNSON CITY - A generous gift from Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist will allow students in East Tennessee State University's College of Public Health to expand their educational experiences by serving and learning in developing countries.
CCM's Sara Groves Invites Listeners to Buy a Newborn Care Kit This Holiday Season
Christian Radio
Dec 10 2008
CCM Artist Sara Groves invites listeners of Christian Radio this Holiday season to "Share the Joy" of giving by supporting new mothers in developing nations to have safe deliveries and healthy, warm newborns. A gift of $10 will help provide newborn care kits for mothers so the chances of their newborns surviving the risky first month of life are improved. The kit contains items to improve hygiene at delivery and promote proper care of newborns, and will be paired with health worker counseling to support new moms on issues like exclusive breastfeeding. The kit’s contents vary by country and may contain items such as soap for hand washing, a new blade for cutting the umbilical cord and a clean string for tying the cord. Each kit will be coupled with a hand-made cap, knitted or crocheted by a caring person who took part in Save the Children's Knit One, Save One campaign, and will keep the baby warm during the first critical hours and days after birth.
Sara's radio spot reads as follows:
Hope through Healing Hands-A Better Beginning for Babies this Christmas
(To hear the spot, please click HERE.)
www.hopethroughhealinghands.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 5, 2008
Contact: Jenny Dyer
(615) 818-5579
Frist Launches New Website for Hope through Healing Hands
Nashville, Tenn. - Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, M.D. has launched a new website for the nonprofit organization, Hope through Healing Hands: www.hopethroughhealinghands.org . Hope through Healing Hands is a 501(c)3 that promotes improved quality of life for communities around the world using health as a currency for peace. The new website showcases their latest work in partnership, global health scholars, and funding.
Dr. Frist stated, "I'm proud to announce the launch of Hope through Healing Hands' new website. We hope that this website will be a ‘home base' for those interested in global and domestic health issues."
Executive Director Jenny Eaton Dyer, Ph.D. commented, "This new website uniquely offers simple ways everyone can make a difference in the lives of ‘the bottom billion' in the world. We hope it encourages people to move beyond awareness to action."
The new website allows for daily active engagement with updates on important issues like clean water, child survival, extreme poverty, and HIV/AIDS in the latest news. The new blog includes writings from various contributors, including Senator Frist, sponsored fellows, and others from their perspectives around the world.
Hope through Healing Hands has a strong list of "Take Action" steps to participate, beyond simply joining as a member. Interested individuals can choose from advocacy, education, volunteerism, community organizing, philanthropy, or involvement with other recommended nonprofit organizations.
Given Senator Frist's expertise and experience in health, at home and abroad, this website is a public face to his continued commitment to promote awareness about global disease and extreme poverty on behalf of the world's poorest.
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Hope through Healing Hands is a 501(c)3 promoting improved quality of life for communities around the world using health as a currency for peace.