May 1, 2009       

MEDIA CONTACT: Thai Phi Stone
202-994-6424; tpstone@gwu.edu 

GW STUDENTS TO UNVEIL DESIGN OF HEALTH CLINIC AIMED FOR GLOBAL USE
May 5, 2009

Model Creates "Seeds of Hope"

EVENT:  

Not all women have the opportunity to celebrate their pregnancy. Expectant mothers around the world face high mortality rates and poor health care. In response to this growing problem, students of The George Washington University's interior design program will unveil a schematic design proposal for a sustainable, cost-efficient model of a women's clinic and education center for Haiti. The presentation will include a 3-D model presentation of the "Seeds of Hope" clinic, floor plans, renderings and proposal.

WHEN:  

Tuesday, May 5, 2009, 5:55 p.m.

WHERE: 

The George Washington University
The Elliott School of International Affairs
1957 E St., NW, Room 214, Washington, D.C.
Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro (Orange and blue lines)

RSVP:  

The event is free and open to the public. Members of the GW community and the general public should RSVP to gwuinteriordesign@gmail.com. Media interested in attending should contact Thai Phi Stone at 202-994-6424 or tpstone@gwu.edu.

BACKGROUND:

According to a UNICEF report, Haiti's poor suffer the highest maternal mortality ratio in the western hemisphere. A proven solution to reduce these mortality rates is to provide Haitian women with affordable and accessible health care.

Using an evidence-based process, GW's interior design graduate students created a proposal where the human factor drives the design solutions. Students based their work not only on the most current health care research but on precedent studies, cultural studies and the needs of each Haitian community. While the center is intended for Haiti, the clinic and mini-clinics are prototypical models, designed to be adapted to multiple locations throughout the world.

Aiming to reach as many women as possible, the health center also will include a model for branch clinics that should be placed in areas surrounding the main facility to create greater accessibility. Working similar to an apprenticeship program, the main clinic will serve as the educational center, with a dorm in the back, where nurses train fellow nurses, who can then take their skills back to their local communities.

Focusing on a holistic, sensory approach, the health care facility will be a community-based model that is both efficient and sustainable. The "Seeds of Hope" clinic will be constructed in phases and will provide family planning and education, obstetric care for pregnancy and childbirth, screening for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, general medical treatment, emergent care and training for future health care workers.

The goal of the project and unveiling is to draw attention to the ongoing health care issues facing the women in Haiti, as well as develop interest in the funding of the design from interested aid organizations.

For more news about The George Washington University, visit www.gwnewscenter.org.
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