Lilly Endowment Inc. has awarded $2.5 million to strengthen program development and establish an endowed chair at the Indiana University Center for Global Health for its AMPATH initiatives in Kenya.
Matching funds committed through the IUPUI IMPACT fundraising campaign bolster the grant, bringing its total value to $4 million. The Indiana University Foundation will invest and manage the funds.
AMPATH, the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare, is the cornerstone of the Center for Global Health. It is a collaboration between Moi University School of Medicine and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya, and a consortium of North American academic institutions led by the IU School of Medicine. AMPATH has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, and the U.S. government recognized its comprehensive nature and effectiveness by awarding IU a coveted $65 million, five-year grant to help fund it.
“The Indiana University Center for Global Health and AMPATH exemplify the international impact of Indiana University and the tremendous compassion of Hoosiers, who have lent their time, talent and funds to bring life-saving medical services to underserved areas in the world,” said Indiana University President Michael McRobbie. “This extraordinary commitment from Lilly Endowment will allow us to expand the scope of the program and further demonstrate to the world that our university and state are leaders in global health. This international program has served as a catalyst for bringing far-reaching educational opportunities to IU students and faculty for more than 20 years.”
“The vision, dedication and accomplishments of the leaders and staff of the AMPATH initiatives in Kenya are truly exceptional,” said Lilly Endowment president, N. Clay Robbins. “While offering significant humanitarian relief for people in abject need in Kenya, these initiatives also provide outstanding educational and research opportunities for medical school students and faculty, which enhance the programs and reputation of the IU School of Medicine.
“We are amazed at the many complementary charitable efforts inspired by AMPATH that are supported by myriad congregations and thousands of individuals throughout our community. Lilly Endowment is pleased to help build the organizational infrastructure at IU that is required to sustain and expand these impressive initiatives.”
For the past 20 years IU students, residents and faculty have traveled to Kenya to enhance their understanding of medicine and improve their ability to care for patients. Teaching and learning in a country with limited resources provide unique challenges and opportunities. As a result, the program has attracted the interest of high-caliber medical students and other trainees from throughout the nation and served as a helpful recruiting tool for the School of Medicine.
Also, the Indianapolis community has embraced IU’s work with AMPATH through the involvement of churches and faith groups, the legal community, and thousands of volunteers and supporters.
Beyond providing educational and humanitarian opportunities, AMPATH created and implemented in Kenya one of the largest and most effective HIV treatment and control systems in the world. This partnership has evolved to include care for individuals with cancer and diabetes, life-saving services to mothers and babies, groundbreaking health research, and educational opportunities for students and health-care providers on both continents.
“The Center for Global Health aims to improve access to health care for all people,” says Robert Einterz, M.D., associate dean for global health at the IU School of Medicine and director of the IU Center for Global Health. “The generous grant from Lilly Endowment strengthens Indiana University’s capacity to achieve that aim in Kenya and Indiana, and it enhances IU’s prestige as a leader in global health. Lessons learned in Kenya are relevant to the development of more effective health-care services in Indiana.”
