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A World of Difference
This issue of Solutions explores the amazing successes in sub-Saharan Africa through the Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative (BIPAI), as well as tells the story of Dan L. Duncan and his family, who only last month donated $100 million to the College in support of the Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center. One of BCM's most dynamic global health efforts—the Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative and its phenomenal partnership with Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS)—has resulted in an unparalleled international outreach that is changing the way that many nations approach this epidemic. Through education of health professionals and the construction and operation of pediatric AIDS clinics, the BIPAI is truly making a "world of difference." With the recent addition of the Pediatric AIDS Corps, a Baylor/BMS cooperative program, young physicians yearning to make a difference are signing up faster than we could have anticipated. In early December, I was honored to attend the opening of the Baylor/Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Center of Excellence-Lesotho. The tiny, land-locked kingdom located within the borders of South Africa is, unfortunately, terribly affected by AIDS. Nearly 20,000 children there are HIV-positive. This clinic, along with its sister clinic in Botswana and the pilot clinic in Constanta, Romania, have become international models for how to provide health care to those in need with few resources. The opening of the Lesotho clinic came at the same time that BCM entered into a memorandum of agreement with the University of Botswana to provide technical expertise and academic support as the university builds its first medical school in Gaborone. The Dan L. Duncan family has shown no less compassion for healing and giving to their community by their recent gift to BCM. Mr. Duncan, a BCM board member, is a leader in the business world, but is making his mark as an outstanding humanitarian through his family's extraordinary gift to helping people with cancer. Even more remarkable is that the Duncans' gift comes just one year after their $35 million gift to BCM designated for the Baylor Clinic. This is a family that cares and that places its resources where it will bring hope to those suffering from disease. This offering of hope is a common thread throughout this issue of Solutions from the African AIDS programs, to the Duncans' gift, to the global travels by BCM alumnus Dr. Benjamin Ip, to important new scientific studies, or to the simple provision of eyeglasses to those in need. Ultimately, we exist in a global family, and such outpourings of caring—regardless of the level—make this world a better place. Peter G. Traber, M.D. |
Patient CareA New Medical School for Botswana ResearchStars and Workhorses: A Varied Future for Stem Cells Unfolding the Tiniest Problems EducationCommunity ServiceAlumni & DevelopmentThe Story Behind the Jewish Building From a One-Room School to Medical Research College News
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Volume 2, Issue 1, Spring 2006 |
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| Last modified: October 10, 2008 |
It is interesting that, just as Baylor College of Medicine is making a "world of difference" through its growing international pediatric AIDS programs and other global outreach efforts, that a single Houston family has magnificently impacted BCM through a gift of immense generosity.