PAHO NEWS---February 7, 2002

In this Edition:
-FELLOWSHIP POSITIONS AVAILABLE
-JOB POSTING: REDPAC PROGRAM COORDINATOR
-JOB POSTING: INFORMATION SYSTEM CONSULTANT FOR CERVICAL CANCER PROJECT
-THE NEWEST EDITION OF PERSPECTIVES IN HEALTH IS NOW ONLINE
-GLOBAL ALLIACE MEETS ON ELIMINATION OF LEPROSY
-MENTAL HEALTH: A SERIOUS PROBLEM, BUT ONE WITH A SOLUTION
-UPCOMING PAHO EVENTS
-PAHO QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
-VIDEOS HIGHLIGHT 100 YEARS OF HEALTH

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FELLOWSHIP POSITIONS AVAILABLE

Postdoctoral and staff fellowship positions are available to study the
development and characterization of novel modulators of innate immunity
with a special emphasis on the response to bio-warfare agents.  For more
information, download the following Word document:
http://www.paho.org/English/HDP/HDR/nih.doc

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REDPAC PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Duration: 11 months

Position: Coordinator of the RedPAC program, an external quality
assurance program for cytology laboratories in Latin America.
Job Description:
The position involves coordinating the design and implementation of a
quality assurance program (RedPAC) involving over 40 cytology
laboratories in 7 Latin American countries and a Reference Laboratory in
Chile. Specific duties will involve, but are not limited to the
following:

-Overseeing the completion of designated tasks of the Reference Centre;
-Convening the annual meeting of the Directing Committee;
-Coordinating the implementation of a continuing education program for
cytotechnicians and cytopathologists;
-Coordinating training sessions for expert pathologists on laboratory
evaluations and assessments;
-Coordinating laboratory evaluations of RedPAC labs by trained experts;
-Overseeing the creation of a digital bank of cytology images with
varying degrees of interpretive complexity for use in external
evaluation exercises;
-Overseeing the completion of the external evaluation exercises by all
laboratories participating in RedPAC using the digital cytology images;
-Overseeing the collection of cytology results from RedPAC laboratories
and analyzing the results in collaboration with the Reference Centre;
-Reviewing the indicators for a proficient cytology laboratory with a
view to build consensus on the necessary indicators for cytology
laboratories among cytopathologists in Latin America;
-Ensuring the creation of a RedPAC website and disseminating current
scientific information on quality cytology programs through the RedPAC
website;
-Assisting countries in centralizing and establishing a national
reference centre
-Coordinating the introduction of new laboratories into the RedPAC
program.

Skills Required:
-Knowledge and understanding of the management, functions and operations
of cytology laboratories
-Knowledge of cervical cancer screening programs
-Ability to communicate in Spanish and English
For more information or to apply, email [log in to unmask] or
[log in to unmask]

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INFORMATION SYSTEM CONSULTANT FOR CERVICAL CANCER PROJECT
Duration: 11 months

Job Description: The Information System consultant will support PAHO=92s
activities in designing and implementing a cervical cancer information
system in Latin American and Caribbean countries.  For the duration of
the contract, the consultant will be required to complete the
development and implementation of a cervical cancer information system
in El Salvador and in Bolivia to support the country programs.  The
specific tasks will include:

-Collaborating with the authorities of El Salvador to complete the pilot
testing of a cervical cancer information system in El Salvador;
-Documenting the process, database structures and experiences of the
pilot tested information system;
-Assessing the capacities and needs to design a cervical cancer
information system in Bolivia;
-Writing a report and recommendations for developing and piloting the
information system in Bolivia;
-Working with a country-based systems consultant and the Ministry of
Health in Bolivia throughout the design and implementation phase of a
pilot information system;
-Coordinating and working with the epidemiologist and systems design
expert who developed the conceptual model for the information system to
ensure that the information systems designed for El Salvador and Bolivia
are consistent with the conceptual model;
-Collaborating with members of the Alliance for Cervical Cancer
Prevention to harmonize the data elements, design and outputs for a
unified information system.

Skills required:
-Knowledge and experience with databases and information systems=20
-Knowledge of public health and epidemiology
-Knowledge of cervical cancer prevention and control would be an asset
-Strong interpersonal skills
-Ability to communicate in English and Spanish
For more information or to apply, email [log in to unmask] or
[log in to unmask]

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THE NEWEST EDITION OF PERSPECTIVES IN HEALTH IS NOW ONLINE

Perspectives in Health is the magazine of the Pan American Health
Organization. Each edition brings articles and columns that look at
public health in a fresh, new way.  This edition includes the following
articles:
-September 11: Everything Changed
-Back to Birth Basics
-100 Years of Pan-Americanism
-Bioethics through a Comic Book Lens
You can view Perspectives in Health here:
http://www.paho.org/English/DPI/Number12_index.htm

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GLOBAL ALLIANCE MEETS ON ELIMINATION OF LEPROSY

Leprosy is still a public health problem in Brazil, India, Madagascar,
Mozambique, Myanmar and Nepal. According to specialists, the elimination
of leprosy in all countries by the year 2005 is an attainable goal.
http://www.paho.org/English/DPI/p020130.htm


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MENTAL HEALTH: A SERIOUS PROBLEM, BUT ONE WITH A SOLUTION

The stigma attached to mental illness in the Americas is receding as new
approaches and increased attention promoted by the Pan American Health
Organization (PAHO) help bring mental health problems out of the
shadows.  http://www.paho.org/English/DPI/100/100feature05.htm

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UPCOMING PAHO EVENTS

-February 12, 2002: Opening of the U.S. / PAHO Photo Exhibit at the HHS
Building in Washington, D.C.
-March 7-10, 2002: 8th UDOP/ PAHO International Conference on Diabetes
and Obesity in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, W.I.
-March 12, 2002: Special OAS webcast focusing on Public Health in the
Americas in Washington, D.C.    For a complete list of upcoming PAHO and
PAHO Centennial events, visit
http://www.paho.org/English/DPI/100/calendar.htm

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PAHO QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Have you ever wondered which countries belong to PAHO or how PAHO is
funded?  Do you have questions about PAHO=92s mission or its centennial?
You can find a list of commonly (and not so commonly) asked questions
at: http://www.paho.org/English/DPI/100/100pr003.htm

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VIDEOS HIGHLIGHT 100 YEARS OF HEALTH

In celebration of the Centennial of the Pan American Health
Organization, the Office of Public Information has produced a series of
videos that highlight the many accomplishments in health in the last 100
years. One of the videos, "Faces Tell the Story," is a 6-minute
documentary that shows progress in health through the faces of people
from all corners of the Western Hemisphere. There is also a series of
twelve 1-minute video promos, with themes such as the eradication of
polio, blood donation, child health, healthy cities, and much more.
These promotional clips are available for broadcasting, free of charge.
For more information send an email to [log in to unmask] or visit
http://www.paho.org/English/DPI/100/media.htm

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