WNB Health Professional to Participate in U.S. State Department International Visitor Leadership Program

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea: The U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce the latest participant in this year’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), Dr. Yvonne Sapuri. Dr. Sapuri is a dedicated medical officer who is actively involved in many West New Britain community health activities that address issues affecting women and girls in rural areas of Papua New Guinea. The theme for the IVLP project is “Global Women’s Health Issues.” The program runs from February 29 through March 18 in the United States.

 Dr. Sapuri’s IVLP project will highlight the latest U.S. scientific research in the fields of breast cancer treatment, maternal and child healthcare, and will also cover other health issues affecting women. The program will include visits to U.S. research centers, medical schools, and teaching hospitals.  The IVLP program will provide opportunities for Dr. Sapuri to examine U.S. research projects, prevention and treatment programs, new concepts in patient counseling, and women’s health support services. Dr. Sapuri will also meet with professional medical counterparts and activists to share success stories and challenges during her U.S. visit. The IVLP program will also introduce Dr. Sapuri to methods and new concepts in strengthening public health capacity and achieving more sustainable health outcomes by strengthening country-based systems to develop and deliver quality treatment and care programs.

Dr. Sapuri will visit Washington D.C., New York City, Reno, Nevada, Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Atlanta, Georgia.

The IVLP program is the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program. Through short-term visits to the United States, current and emerging foreign leaders in a variety of fields experience the United States firsthand and cultivate lasting relationships with their American counterparts. Professional meetings reflect the participants’ professional interests and support the foreign policy goals of the United States. IVLP is managed by the Office of International Visitors within the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).