HME Project Board Member and Curriculum Consultant Dr. Cruff Renard recently addressed a class of fourth year medical students at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, NY. The students are taking part in a one-month elective course in Research-Based Health Activism.  Dr. Renard, a native of Haiti, described the work of the HME Project within the context of health activism, explaining the process of

1. Identifying the problem
2. Setting goals and objectives
3. Creating collegial relationships and
4. Producing an outcome.

He discussed why he and his colleagues felt a strong need to address the issue of higher medical education in Haiti, how the project’s goals were set, and the strategy plan, including possible coalitions, resources and tactics. The students were given a first-hand account of how their skills as physicians can be used in activism and advocacy work.

More information is available on the course in this journal article and this article from the New York Times.