Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #103305

Donna Hicks Myers, MSN, MA, CNP, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-4904, 216-221-0086, donna.myers@case.edu

For those nurses wishing to work in the international health arena, the Stop the Transmission Of Polio Team (STOP) is an excellent way to gain valuable knowledge and experience. This program is part of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative that began in 1988. In an effort to supplement human resources in the field, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has an on-going program of sending highly qualified health professionals from around the world on short-term field assignments working in polio eradication. The author will present her experience while working on a STOP assignment in Ethiopia. From the onset of training at the CDC, throughout the 3 month experience, working with physicians, nurses, and surveillance officers in the central and regional Ministry of Health, the author will present the rewards, challenges, and benefits of participating in this cross cultural experience. The STOP Program continues to send health professionals to the field to work on polio eradication. To date, 17 teams have visited 46 countries. It provides an opportunity for nurses from around the world to: 1) be trained in disease eradication strategies; 2) develop technical expertise in vaccine preventable diseases and immunization practices at the global level; 3) gain hands-on cross-cultural experience and; 4) work with international aid organizations.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to

• discuss the Global Polio Eradication Program as an international health opportunity for nurses;
• describe the Stop the Transmission of Polio (STOP) program, as it relates to Global Polio Eradication
• identify the necessary requirements and application process for participating in a Stop the Transmission of Polio (STOP) Team assignment.

Keywords: International Public Health, Career Development

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.