PQMD Holds Educational Forum in Kansas City
On October 15-17th, PQMD held their Educational Forum and Annual General Meeting, hosted by Heart to Heart International in their beautiful meeting space outside Kansas City.
Group photo of participants at the Annual General Meeting (Source: Carla Orner, Heart to Heart International).
The meeting kicked off with a review of PQMD programs and activities by Executive Director Elizabeth “EJ” Ashbourne. The productive meeting allowed members to hear about other member program highlights focused on access to medicines. Members who presented include BD and Direct Relief; BD and Heart to Heart International; Henry Schein and IsraAID; The Max Foundation, Tanner Pharma and Pfizer. PQMD members Anera and Project HOPE presented on disaster response and resilience.
There was a discussion on disaster and humanitarian programs, focused on member work in Venezuela and other critical areas. Guest presenters Just One Organics discussed food security and provided product samples. A highlight of the meeting included a mental health exercise led by IsraAid.
IsraAid led a mental health exercise at the Annual General Meeting (Source: Carla Orner, Heart to Heart International).
The meeting also provided time to review PQMD’s mission and vision statements and to share highlights of PQMD initiatives, including Measuring for Success, Medical Missions Guidelines, Community of Practice, and Kitting Impact Initiative. As always, the Education Forum and Annual General Meeting provided opportunity for PQMD’s committees to discuss current projects and provide activity updates to the membership. Corporate and NGO members had time to discuss their sectors in breakout sessions.
PQMD’s Guidelines for Quality Medical Donations was the focus for two days of workshop discussion about a self-certification process. Through the workshop, the self-certification process was outlined and a timeline for rollout was proposed. More details about self-certification will be provided to members in the coming weeks.
There was also time for fun, spending time together visiting Heart to Heart International founder Gary Morsch’s farm for delicious food, music, hayrides and fireworks. Participants also visited the World War I Museum and Memorial. Those able to travel to Kansas City by Monday evening enjoyed axe throwing at Blade and Timber.
PQMD would like to thank our sponsors including AbbVie, Carla Duryee Consulting, LLC, Lathrop Gage LLP, Dr. and Mrs. Gary Morsch. Special thanks to Heart to Heart International for hosting the meeting.
We are looking forward to seeing everyone again at the 2020 PQMD Global Health Forum being held in New York, NY on April 21-23, 2020.
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