Physicians for Peace Honors Five Area Medical Institutions

NORFOLK, VA (09/30/2008)(readMedia)-- On October 4th, the five leading medical institutions in Hampton Roads will be honored for their service to the community and their partnership with internationally-recognized Physicians for Peace. Being honored by Physicians for Peace are:

• Bon Secours Hampton Roads Health System

• Chesapeake Regional Medical Center

• Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters

• Riverside Health System

• Sentara Health System

"The life blood of our work to bring medical teaching skills to developing countries," said Physicians for Peace's Chairman of the Board Buzz Heidt, "is possible because hospitals like these recognize the vital role they play not just in Hampton Roads, but worldwide. We are fortunate that our community has a group of caring and committed organizations like these five who give so much to make a difference in the world."

Emmy-award winning Hampton Roads journalist Kathryn Barrett, former medical reporter for WVEC-TV 13, has been a long-time supporter of Physicians for Peace, and will be the emcee of the Physicians for Peace Gala, held this year on October 4 in Virginia Beach, VA. Ms. Barrett offered a unique view of the relationship between the five institutions and Physicians for Peace.

"I think people would be surprised to know how much the region's hospitals make the work of Physicians for Peace possible", noted Barrett. "These institutions, their programs, and their staffs are invaluable to the work of Physicians for Peace. Their doctors lead Physicians for Peace missions. Their nurses care for Physicians for Peace patients. They donate medicines and medical equipment to the cause. They provide vision and leadership to the work that Physicians for Peace carries out around the world."

ABOUT PHYSICIANS FOR PEACE

Physicians for Peace is a global, humanitarian, nonprofit organization that mobilizes healthcare educators to assist developing nations with unmet medical needs and scarce resources. Through effective, hands-on medical education and training, clinical care and donated medical supplies, Physicians for Peace creates long-term, sustainable, replicable, and evidence-based projects to help partner nations build medical capability and capacity to help themselves. Volunteers for the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization have conducted medical missions in more than 50 countries. More information is available at www.physiciansforpeace.org.