Physicians for Peace Hosts Haitian Ambassador to U.S.

Ambassador Raymond Joseph to Speak At Virginia Beach Event on June 27

NORFOLK, VA (06/26/2008)(readMedia)--

WHO: Haitian Ambassador Raymond Alcide Joseph

WHAT: Haitian Ambassador Mr. Raymond Joseph will address the Physicians for Peace Board of Trustees and invited guest at a reception and dinner. He will share the realities of the health care crisis in his country, and how U.S. humanitarian organizations can become part of a solution to this crisis.

WHERE: Princess Anne Country Club, 3800 Pacific Ave., Virginia Beach, VA 23451

WHEN: June 27, 2008, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Ambassador Joseph will be available for interviews during the event. To arrange an interview, please contact Cliff Bryant, Physicians for Peace Marketing Director, by 2 pm on Friday the 27th.

WHY: Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the world, faces a terrible healthcare crisis. According to the World Health Organization, Haiti has the highest infant and maternal mortality, the worst malnutrition and the worst AIDS situation in the Americas.

Physicians for Peace, a global humanitarian medical education organization, is currently working in a wide range of Latin American and Caribbean nations to bring quality medical care and education to underserved populations. Physicians for Peace has been working in Haiti, implementing programs such as Walking Free, which addresses the needs of amputees. The Ambassador will speak about Haiti's healthcare needs, and opportunities to continue and expand the role of Physicians for Peace in solving this crisis.

Mr. Joseph became Ambassador from Haiti to the United States on Oct. 3, 2005. He began his career as a journalist, and during the mid-1960's, led a movement opposed to the dictatorships of Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier and his son, Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier. The Duvalier regime condemned Mr. Joseph to death in absentia in 1967, a threat which lasted until 1986, when Baby Doc Duvalier fled into exile.

ABOUT PHYSICIANS FOR PEACE

Physicians for Peace is an international private voluntary 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.