Media Contact:

Crystal Wells
Communications Officer
Haiti cell: +509.3491.1832
U.S. cell: 617.913.0794
cwells@imcworldwide.org

International Medical Corps Partners with Haitian

Medical Groups
To Create Emergency Medical Specialty Training and
Certification

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI, March 31, 2010 - International Medical Corps is partnering with the
medical profession in Haiti - including the Haitian Medical Association, the Medical Specialty
Societies, and the Medical Education Sector - to launch the first emergency medicine training and
certification process for Haitian doctors and paramedics.

International Medical Corps, a relief and development NGO, began a series of meetings last week
with the Haitian organizations aimed at establishing opportunities for continuing medical education
(CME) and continuing professional development (CPD), as well as to establish an accreditation,
board, and certification (ABC) process for Haitian medical professionals. Identified as a top priority
by leaders in the Haitian medical establishment, emergency medicine will be the first specialty to be
established and receive trainings coordinated by International Medical Corps.

"It is the right moment, and this is an opportunity that we will take advantage of immediately," said
Dr. Claude Surena, President of the Haitian Medical Association. Last week's meeting set the stage for
a larger conference in mid-June that will bring together more than 200 professionals from various
medical sectors, including NGOs, the private sector, government officials, and other Haitian medical
societies.

"What we will be setting up is the platform for the next generation of Haitian health professionals,"
said Agron Ferati, Director of Program Development for International Medical Corps. "Our partners
in emergency medicine are ready to bring technical experts to help form a specialty society, help
establish national emergency medicine policy, and help graduate the first group of emergency
medicine physicians and paramedics."

International Medical Corps' role will be to connect members of the Haitian medical establishment to
its network of technical specialists and physicians from the United States and other parts of the
developed world.
International Medical Corps professionals also would assist Haitian medical leaders in the writing of
proposed ABC legislation.
International Medical Corps and its partners will begin training doctors and paramedics in emergency
medicine and mass casualty before the conference in mid-June.

International Medical Corps has many years' experience in the development of certification and
training programs for doctors and other medical professionals. In Afghanistan, it provides a residency
training program for doctors in obstetrics and gynecology, radiology, anesthesiology, and pediatrics,
as well as for midwives, pharmacists, and nurses. In Iraq, International Medical Corps operates CME
and CPD programs for physicians and health care administrators.

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On the ground in Haiti just 22 hours after the earthquake, International Medical Corps' Emergency
Response draws on 25 years experience in emergency settings, including last September's earthquake in
Sumatra, Indonesia, the massive 2005 earthquake in Pakistan, and the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004.

Since its inception nearly 25 years ago, International Medical Corps’ mission has been consistent: relieve
the suffering of those impacted by war, natural disaster, and disease, by delivering vital health care
services that focus on training. This approach of helping people help themselves is critical to returning
devastated populations to self-reliance. For more information visit: www.imcworldwide.org