Message from the Chair
&
Executive Director
Kathleen M. Foley, MD (USA)
Liliana De Lima, MHA (USA)
Dear Readers:
September marks the return to work for many after a period of vacation. At IAHPC we have several exciting projects and programs for the next quarter and look forward to working with all of you.
The Declaration of Venice continues to generate a lot of interest. Thanks to the work of Dr. Carlos Fernandez from Galicia, Spain; and Léa Monsarrat and Marilène Filbert from Lyon, France, we now have the Declaration available in Spanish and French. Almost 2,000 individuals from 104 different countries have signed the Declaration, showing their support to this cause. The countries which have the greatest number of signatures are the USA, Argentina, the UK, Spain, Colombia, and Canada. To see the Declaration in its different versions and the list of individuals who have signed it, click on http://www.hospicecare.com/dv/
We are happy to announce that we are also now accepting nominations for the IAHPC Awards in three categories:
1. Individual - Vittorio Ventafridda Award: For Individuals who have demonstrated leadership in palliative care and have had a significant impact in the provision of palliative care in their communities and regions.
2. Institutional Award: For institutions (hospitals, clinics, hospices) that have implemented a successful and comprehensive palliative care program to meet the needs of the patients in the relevant community
3. University Award: For academic hospitals, teaching institutions and universities that have implemented formal palliative care programs as part of the undergraduate or graduate levels in either nursing or medicine.
To apply, please go to www.hospicecare.com and click on IAHPC Programs, then select Recognition Awards Program. You will see the guidelines for application.
Each category has a prize of US $2,000. Deadline for applications is December 31st, 2006. Winners will be announced in early February 2007.
One important announcement about recent developments in Latin America is that Palliative Care has been recognized as a specialty by the Colegio de Medicos, in Rosario, Argentina. Congratulations to all our Argentinean colleagues for this important advancement and their success in their effort to make this possible.
This month is Pain Awareness month in the USA. We join the Pain community, patients, specialists and organizations in bringing awareness to improve pain relief around the globe, improve access to medications (especially potent analgesics) and improve the education of health care professionals on how to assess, evaluate and adequately treat patients suffering unnecessary pain.
We are also very glad to announce that professor David Currow, one of our Board members, has recently been appointed as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of Cancer Australia by the Minister for Health and Ageing. Congratulations to Professor Currow for this important and well deserved recognition. This appointment is also recognition that palliative care is an integral and important component of cancer care by the Ministry of Health in Australia. We wish Professor Currow good luck and feel honored to have him as part of our team.
Remember that October 7th, will be the second World Hospice and Palliative Care Day. This year’s theme is "Access to Care for All". Mark your calendars and make sure you get involved in some way to help disseminate information, create awareness, engage the public, and promote policies and changes in practice for the treatment of patients with advanced, progressive conditions. More information on how to participate and get involved is available in http://www.worldday.org/
IAHPC has received a grant from the US Cancer Pain Relief Committee and Grunenthal GmbH in Germany to support the operational expenses of the organization for the next three years. We are extremely grateful with both organizations and their leaders for their support of IAHPC and the work we do around the world.
Until next month,
Kathy Foley, MD
Chair, Board of Directors
Liliana De Lima, MHA
Executive Director
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