GHSP Team Meeting
26 May 2015
Participants: Laura Foradori, Kate Beale, Tom Ross, May Bryson, Erika Brown,
Brianna Geary, Mike Robie, Mark Swartz
Next Meeting Scheduled: 09 June 2015
Meeting Notes:
Swaziland Debrief:
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Laura, Dick, Pat, and Katelyn visited Swaziland last week (18-22 May) to
consider the possibility of expansion of GHSP there.
Meetings held with the US Ambassador (a strong supporter of GHSP presence
in Swaziland), PEPFAR, Ministry of Health, ICAP (Columbia University ;
administration of NEPI program-although no NEPI in Swaziland), and the
Nursing Council. Ministry of Education got pulled away but post will follow up
with meetings in the near future.
Four nursing schools visited (three in Mbabane/Manzini area), with all voicing
a need. The schools are:
University of Swaziland (UNISWA) School of Nursing
Southern African Nazarene
Swaziland Christian University
Good Shepherd (located in Siteki) – may not be best fit for GHSP right
away
The health care system in Swaziland is strongly nurse driven, with only a
handful of Swazi MDs (the rest being expats). MDs often educated in SA and
many do not return.
UNISWA is in the process of developing a Masters level NP program.
The school year begins at the end of August (not in January as previously
thought).
Peace Corps staff in Swaziland very interested in GHSP, particularly Program
Manager Youth Development (RN) and Program Manager Health who
accompanied team on the visits to the institutions.
Steve Driehaus, PC Swaziland CD, leaving in January (to Morocco) and the US
Ambassador is scheduled to leave soon as well.
Peace Corps and Seed Team feel positive about expansion to Swaziland after
the visit. Nursing Council, PEPFAR team, and ICAP feel GHSP would be a good
idea as well.
2016 Application to remain the same (same qualifications would be required
for Swaziland), and language already exists regarding
marketing/communication and the possibility of adding another country.
The idea would be to go with next cohort, most likely to 2-3 sites (those with
Bachelor’s programs) with 2-3 nurses/site.

 Liberia TDY:
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HRSA received funding from PEPFAR for HRH in fragile states.
HRSA and USAID planning TDY in Liberia beginning week of 08 June to look at
HRH structure and efforts and how to best craft their interventions.
TDY Team to include three from HRSA and three from USAID, and Kevin
Fleming to represent Peace Corps (CD-Liberia, HRH experience). Team to split
into pre-service and in-service.
Question as to whether we can expand into two new countries next cycle
(Swaziland and Liberia). Budget issues, etc.

Recruitment Updates:
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Sad, Vanessa, and Kate had a productive conversation over the phone last
Friday.
To begin the dialogue, Seed asked Kate for Peace Corps goals for recruitment.
Seed has acknowledged they haven’t hit the mark regarding recruitment, and
they want to reset. Seed voiced recognition that there is a larger pool of
physicians than what we are currently reaching.
Seed leadership in agreement that applications for 2016 should open ASAP.
(Scheduled to open the end of this week.)
The idea of a professional MD recruiter was discussed. There may be
costs/benefits associated with having this position housed at Peace Corps
(possible budget constraints/ knowledge of Peace Corps processes very
important, especially with history of acknowledged tension).
Marketing/Communication meetings to be instituted (perhaps weekly or biweekly calls).

Other:
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Laura to meet with Marie and Eric regarding GHSP budget.
Pat Daoust’s replacement, Eileen Stewart Shor, to start at the beginning of
July. She will not be at COS conference, but will be here for orientation. Eileen
has experience in Kenya with non-communicable disease, particularly
cardiovascular disease.
Julie Anathan to move from part-time to full-time with Seed.
Seed planning to discontinue regional position and hire a Country Director for
each GHSP country. (A Tanzanian physician has been identified for Tanzania;
to begin mid-fall).