FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, July 20, 2012

Peace Corps Now Accepting Applications for Global Health Service Partnership Positions

Qualified applicants will serve as medical and nursing educators through Peace Corps Response

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 20, 2012 – Peace Corps today announced the agency is now accepting applications from qualified individuals interested in serving as medical or nursing educators in Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda through the Peace Corps Response program.  Volunteers will serve one-year assignments teaching clinical health skills to local practitioners. Peace Corps made the announcement on the eve of the 2012 International AIDS Conference in Washington, D.C., July 21-27, 2012. To learn more about Peace Corps' work during the conference, visit: www.peacecorps.gov/AIDS2012.

 “We’re thrilled to accept applications from medical and nursing professionals who will be able to immediately impact public health systems in sub-Saharan Africa,” said Peace Corps Director Aaron S. Williams (returned Peace Corps volunteer, Dominican Republic, 1967-1970). “Peace Corps volunteers work directly with people in the local communities for sustainable change. Through this program, these medically trained volunteers will address the shortage of health professionals and train others to be better prepared in the future.”

In March, the Peace Corps, the U.S. Presidents’ Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and the Global Health Service Corps announced the launch of this innovative public-private partnership to place nurses and physicians as adjunct faculty in medical or nursing schools overseas. The partnership will address health professional shortages by investing in capacity and building support for existing medical and nursing education programs in less developed countries.

Volunteers serving through the program will receive the same benefits as Peace Corps Response volunteers, including: monthly living stipends, transportation to and from their country of service, comprehensive medical care, readjustment allowances and vacation days. They will also receive additional technical training and support and may extend service for a second year if successful during the initial year. The Global Health Service Corps, independently of the Peace Corps, will also raise funds from the private sector to finance loan repayment stipends for eligible volunteers.

In January 2012, Peace Corps announced the expansion of the Peace Corps Response program, allowing experienced professionals to serve in short-term, high-impact Peace Corps assignments in dozens of countries around the world. Click here to apply for open positions.

About the Peace Corps: Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps by executive order on March 1, 1961, more than 200,000 Americans have served in 139 host countries. Today, 9,095 volunteers are working with local communities in 75 host countries. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment and the agency’s mission is to promote world peace and friendship and a better understanding between Americans and people of other countries. Visit www.peacecorps.gov for more information.

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