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While rivaling militias continue fighting in the war-torn region in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the people of DRC are rebuilding their communities. Millions of lives have been lost through starvation and disease, and years of war have resulted in the isolation of the very people most in need of international support. From this downtrodden region, Accordia encountered a symbol of hope: Dr. Mike Upio. Plans for rebuilding Yonkunki Hospital include a new HIV program Dr. Upio traveled to the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), Accordia’s flagship program in Kampala, Uganda, for three weeks of specialized training in HIV/AIDS care and treatment. For years, Dr. Upio had treated patients at Yonkundi Hospital, but the hospital was destroyed during the war. He is now working to rebuild, and wants to ensure that the hospital has an HIV program that addresses the growing number of people living with HIV/AIDS in DRC. “I think people need information, that’s the first thing. People in Africa need to be told about HIV,” said Dr. Upio. “Many people don’t know that they are HIV-positive, and because they don’t know about HIV, they don’t know about transmission. I think the first step will be to inform them that HIV is a real disease,” he continued. The training Dr. Upio received at IDI gave him the skills and knowledge necessary to provide better care for patients in his own community. Dr. Upio is the first
person from his region of the DRC to attend a training course at IDI. His
training will not only enable him to effectively
diagnose and treat those afflicted with HIV/AIDS
in his community but will also allow him to share
this life-saving knowledge with his fellow healthcare
workers. IDI Partners with Mulago Hospital
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Accordia Global Health Foundation now enters its fifth year instilled with
renewed commitment following the death of its Co-founder and former
President, Dr. Merle Sande. Dr. Sande’s invigorating drive and vision continue
to inspire Accordia to take on larger and more ambitious initiatives aimed at
overcoming the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and other
infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. 
The Academic Alliance Foundation has officially
changed its name to Accordia Global Health
Foundation. Executive Director Carol Spahn made
the announcement at the Infectious Diseases Summit
in Washington, DC, on Thursday, March 14.
 Dr. Steven Kijjambu, Deputy Dean of Education, Faculty of Medicine, Makerere University; and Dr. Alex Coutinho, Executive Director of IDI; deliver protective gear to Dr. Edward Ddumba, Director of Mulago Hospital. |
Responding immediately to stop the spread of the virus
IDI quickly moved into action with Mulago Hospital to set up protocols for the care of infected patients to prevent the spread of the virus. In addition, IDI worked to procure equipment to protect Mulago’s doctors and nurses.
Mulago is the teaching hospital for the Makerere University Faculty of Medicine and provides care at a very low cost to those most in need. It caters almost exclusively to Uganda’s poor—those who cannot afford to get care anywhere else. Before the Ebola outbreak, Ward 4A—the Infectious Diseases Ward— had already been struggling to meet the overwhelming and increasing demand for care—and the Ebola epidemic stretched its resources even further.
Disaster preparedness includes planning for adequate protection for healthcare workers
Preventing doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals from contracting infectious diseases while caring for their patients is among the most essential responsibilities that any hospital or clinic has to its workers. In resource-limited settings such as sub-Saharan Africa, however, adequate protection is not always readily available where and when it is needed most.
To improve the protection of healthcare workers in the future, IDI donated protective clothing and gear to Mulago hospital for disaster preparedness. The Deputy Dean of Education in the Faculty of Medicine at Makerere University, Dr. Steven Kijjambu, and the Executive Director of IDI, Dr. Alex Coutinho delivered protective gear worth over $13,000 to Dr. Edward Ddumba, the Director of Mulago Hospital. The items donated by IDI included examination gloves, surgical gloves, disposable face masks, chemical splash safety goggles, plastic aprons, gumboots, disposable head gear, heavy duty rubber gloves and domestic bleach.
An important step in a growing international alliance to support Mulago Hospital
 The donated gear, worth over $13,000, included examination gloves, face masks, and more. |
The resources IDI provided to Mulago during the Ebola outbreak are only the beginning of a growing international effort to respond to the needs of Ward 4A. Under the leadership of Mulago hospital, IDI and Accordia Global Health Foundation are actively participating in a broad collaboration between local and international organizations, including Johns Hopkins University, Mulago-Mbarara Teaching Hospital’s Joint AIDS Programmer, Yale University, and others (see IDI Supporter Climbs to New Heights, page 4). These combined efforts will result in upgrading the physical condition of the Infectious Diseases Ward; providing volunteer care for indigent patients without family support systems; and mentoring and training the doctors, nurses, and students that provide care on the Ward.
With each organization providing unique expertise
and resources, Accordia Global Health Foundation is
confident that Mulago will be further strengthened to
respond not only to the daily needs of its patients
but also to be prepared to overcome any future
infectious disease threats.
TOP
IDI Supporter Climbs to New Heights
 Pfizer employee Dominic Kemps aims to raise $1 for every meter he climbs. |
At IDI, Dominic walked down the halls and observed training classes in session. He toured the laboratory and witnessed motivated young investigators conducting their research with state-of-the-art equipment and technology. Finally, he entered the clinic and was overcome with emotion. The clinic was alive with energy, music, dancing, meditation, games, arts and crafts, singing and laughter. But it was in the faces of patients at IDI where he saw his new calling.
Visit to IDI inspires action
He carried the hopeful energy he encountered at IDI back to his office at Pfizer, where he immediately sent his friends and colleagues an email about his visit. But he didn’t just report on his trip; he also informed them of his next adventure.Dominic was so inspired by IDI and its mission that he decided to spend his summer holiday on a three-week trek across Africa, summiting three mountains, to raise funds for IDI. Beginning August 23, he will cover over 13,000 meters in 22 days: Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Kenya, and Mt. Stanley. His goal is to raise $1 for every meter of climbing. 100% of the money raised will be given to IDI to support the Mulago Hospital, Ward 4A outreach project.
Funds raised will renovate infectious diseases ward
 Mt. Kilimanjaro is one of three mountains that Kemp will climb on his journey. |
Mulago Hospital’s Infectious Diseases Ward, Ward 4A is becoming increasingly overwhelmed by the demand for care. On an average night, one nurse will care for as many as 80 patients. Often there are not sufficient hospital beds to accommodate everyone who is admitted. Dominic hopes to raise enough money to renovate the entire infectious diseases ward. While he is in the process of mentally and physically preparing for his upcoming expedition, he is also reaching out for support for IDI.
Your donation will help Dominic reach his goal
If you would like to make a donation to help Dominic and support the life-saving work of the IDI please visit our website: www.accordiafoundation.org and click on Donate Now.Thank you in advance for your
generosity and support.TOP
Global Health Champions Gather at Summit
TOP: (LEFT) Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Anthony Fauci. (CENTER) Accordia’s President, Dr. Warner Greene, and Executive Director, Carol Spahn. (RIGHT) Executive Director of the Infectious Diseases Institute, Dr. Alex Coutinho.
MIDDLE: (LEFT) Summit Co-Chairs: Accordia Vice President, Dr. Nelson Sewankambo, and Accordia Chair, Dr. Hank McKinnell. (CENTER) Director of General Health Services in the Uganda Ministry of Health, Dr. Francis Omaswa; Executive Secretary of the East, Central, and Southern African (ECSA) Health Community, Dr. Steven Shongwe; and Director of Hospital Services in the Tanzania Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Zachery Berege. (RIGHT) Global AIDS Coordinator, Ambassador Mark Dybul.
BOTTOM: Panel Participants (left to right): Dr. Omaswa; Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Chair of the Board of Directors for OneWorld Health, Dr. Victoria Hale; PhRMA Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Paul Antony; PBS Host and Journalist, Charlie Rose (moderator); Dr. Anthony Fauci; and Chairman and Founding Partner, BroadReach, Dr. Ernest Darkoh.
Become Part of the Equation
Our programs and services reach their full potential through the generous support of our partners and donors. Individual gifts at every level enable Accordia Global Health Foundation to expand our efforts. Together, we will provide access to quality medical care, as well as the tools needed to help Africa move forward independently to a healthier future. Please support our work by making your tax deductible contribution now at www.accordiafoundation.org or by mail to the address below. |
Each healthcare professional trained at IDI
carries forward the skills learned to train
others. The result is a multiplier effect in
an equation that maximizes the impact of
every dollar donated.
CONTACT US
For additional information on Accordia Global Health Foundation and our programs, please contact us at:
Accordia Global Health Foundation
1611 North Kent Street, Suite 202
Arlington, VA 22209
phone (703) 294-6551
fax (703) 647-8000
info@accordiafoundation.org
www.accordiafoundation.org
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Message from Accordia President Warner Greene READ |
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The IDI reach extends to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. READ |
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Pfizer employee plans to summit three peaks to raise money for IDI. READ |
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Photographs from 2008 Infectious Diseases Summit. VIEW |
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| VIEWPOINT | ||
Conversation with CDC
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| TRIBUTE | ||
A Celebration of LifeIn February 2008, over 200 family members, friends, and colleagues gathered in San Francisco to celebrate Accordia Co-founder Dr. Merle Sande’s extraordinary life.A moving tribute that celebrated “a life well spent”In an evening filled with tears and smiles, Dr. Holly Smith aptly put it this way: “Our theme [tonight] is that of celebrating a life well spent— a life that has left an indelible legacy for all privileged to know Merle. As a leader he had mastered the special skill of ‘how to let other people have your way’.”
Friends and colleagues shared photos and stories to capture an extraordinary manDuring the evening, a series of photographs documented Merle’s many passions. Photos showed Merle making golf conquests and relaxing on his sailboat. Touching images revealed Merle’s joy spending time with his children and grandchildren. And stirring portraits showed the lives he helped save in Africa by building the Infectious Diseases Institute and creating the Academic Alliance.Friends and colleagues gave spirited renditions of stories about the mischief Merle managed to lead them into, and recalled the countless ways in which they were inspired. Dr. Munsey Wheby summed it up by stating, “Merle was a force.” |
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| RECENT GIFTS | ||
Accordia Acknowledges the Following Major GiftsMerle A. Sande, MD, bequeathed one million dollars to Accordia to fund the first endowed chair at IDI. Drs. Nick & Sue Hellman pledged $500,000 to assist with construction of a new training and residential facility in Kampala, Uganda. The ExxonMobil Foundation delivered their final installment of a three year $1.5 million grant to support the Joint Uganda Malaria Program at IDI. The Serine Bonnist Charitable Fund donated $10,000 to The Merle A. Sande Memorial Fund. Fred and Linda Port made a $100,000 multiyear commitment to Accordia. The Gilead Foundation continued their support of Accordia with a $383,345 grant to train the next generation of African healthcare professionals in international medicine. Gary Cohen donated $10,000 in core support for Accordia. The Prana Foundation awarded Accordia a $100,000 grant to provide 30 training scholarships for African healthcare professionals at IDI. Katherine and Robert Burke donated $100,000 to support Accordia’s Professors in Residence Program, which provides essential counsel and mentoring to current and future infectious disease health professionals in Africa. William C. Steere Jr. delivered the second installment of his $75,000 pledge of core support for Accordia. Drs. Nick & Sue Hellman donated $50,000 to The Merle A. Sande Memorial Fund. |
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| NEWS IN BRIEF | ||
LANDMARK AWARD: The Makerere University– Johns Hopkins University Core Laboratory at IDI (MU-JHU/IDI Core Lab) was recognized by the Medical Laboratory Observer (MLO)—the first laboratory ever selected outside of the United States for this prestigious honor. ON AIR: Medical Sky Radio recently interviewed Accordia President Dr. Warner Greene on the release of his book, Global HIV/AIDS Medicine, which he co-edited with Accordia colleagues, including the late Dr. Merle Sande. US Airways is currently broadcasting the interview on all its flights as part of Sky Radio’s 21st Century Health Care Forum. The interview can also be heard DART STUDY: IDI is conducting a 5-year multisite clinical trial of antiretroviral therapy (ART), the Development of Antiretroviral Therapy (DART) in Africa. The DART study is monitoring 3,300 patients with HIV/AIDS in Uganda and Zimbabwe to address the management BD PARTNERSHIP: Accordia’s Laboratory Training Program, a partnership with IDI and BD, officially launched a newly refurbished, state-of-the-art teaching laboratory at the Department of Microbiology Faculty of Medicine, Makerere University. GATES FUNDING: With funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, IDI is studying adherence rates associated with the Mother to Child Transmission Plus (MTCT+) Program in Uganda. The program provides free antiretroviral therapy to all HIV-infected members in a household. IDI is examining the level of adherence and the factors associated with adherence to determine the program’s effectiveness. IDI CO-FOUNDER PROFILED: In its July 5th edition, The Lancet profiled Accordia Vice President and Academic Alliance Co-Founder Dr. Nelson Sewankambo, describing his pioneering work building HIV/AIDS research in Uganda. The Lancet is one of the world’s oldest peer-reviewed medical journals. |
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BOARD OF DIRECTORSHenry A. McKinnell, Jr., PhDCHAIR (Retired) Chairman, Pfizer Inc Warner C. Greene, MD, PhD Nelson Sewankambo, MD Robert Mallett Carol Spahn Gary M. Cohen Susan Desmond-Hellmann, MD, MPH Joe Feczko, MD King K. Holmes, MD, PhD Donald A. Holzworth Fred Port Tommy G. Thompson ACADEMIC ALLIANCE MEMBERSMichael Scheld, MDCO-CHAIR Nelson Sewankambo, MBChB, MMed, MSc Robert Colebunders, MD, PhD; Jerrold Ellner, MD; Warner C. Greene, MD, PhD; Moses Joloba, MB ChB; Moses R. Kamya, MB ChB, MMed, MPH; Elly T Katabira, MB ChB, FRCP; Edward Katongole-Mbidde, MB ChB,MMed, MRCP; Harriet Mayanja-Kizza, MB ChB, MMed (Int Medicine), MS; Keith McAdam, MB BChir, FRCP, FWACP; Henry A. McKinnell Jr., PhD; Concepta Merry, FRCPI, MSc, PhD; Roy D. Mugerwa, MB ChB, MMed; Philippa Musoke, MD; Thomas Quinn, MD; Allan Ronald, MD; Gisela Schneider, MD, MPH; David Serwadda, MD; David Thomas, MD; Fred Wabwire-Mangen, MB ChB, DTM&H, MPH, PhD |
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The Infectious Diseases Summit in Washington,
DC, hosted by Accordia Global Health
Foundation, brought together influential thought
leaders and stakeholders across multiple sectors,
including Dr. Julie Gerberding, Director of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
