A group of 10 Russian professionals in TB and HIV came to Worcester under the Community Connection program entitled Tuberculosis and TB/HIV Care in the USA. The program’s goal was to equip participants with the knowledge on the US best practices of provision of comprehensive care to TB and TB/HIV patients, which includes medical care, counseling, and a wide range of social services; design of TB control programs and management of TB/HIV co-infection in civilian and prison settings; obligatory treatment of non-compliant patients with infectious forms of TB; etc. Participants also had an opportunity to establish professional connections with peers in the US, so that they can gain the knowledge, support, and inspiration necessary to successfully facilitate healthy lifestyle changes in Russia.
Comments from participants are welcome.
Olga said
Я впервые в жизни имела счастье лично познакомиться с системой оказания медицинской помощи в США. Благодаря программе “Сотрудничество профессиональных объединений” я познакомилась с американскими коллегами, их методикой работы. Вся программа стажировки подготовлена на высшем уровне, учитываются все наши пожелания и предложения сразу же на месте, по мере их поступления. Принимающая сторона создает такую обстановку и рабочую, и в свободное время, что чувствуеш себя как дома.Я даже не заметила как прлетели 20 дней прграммы! А еще было очень легко адаптироваться благодаря русскоговорящей помощнице руководителя центра Вустера и его замечательной супруге Надежде( тоже говорящей по русски). Они просто мгновенно реагировали на любые наши просьбы, проблемы, бросая при этом свои личные дела. Принимающие семьи , я думаю, также как и мы прходили конкурсный отбор. Они прекрасно были подготовлены к нашему приезду. Знали многое о нашем крае, городе, традициях, о наших предпочтениях в еде, отдыхе. В каждом учреждении, организации были прфессионально представлены тематические презентации. Благодаря программе я полностью поменяла свои представления о менталитете американцев. Я восхищена их спокойствием, культурой, приветствием и доброжелательностью! Спасибо Вустер, я тебя никогда не забуду!!!
For the first time in my life, I had a chance to get acquainted with the health care system in the U.S. Through the “Community Connections” program I met with our American colleagues and learned about their methods of work. All internship programs had been prepared on the highest level, taking into account all our requests and suggestions were immediately taken care of, as they arose. The host organization, at professional programs and during leisure time, created an atmosphere that you feel at home. I did not notice how 20 days of our program were over! And it was very easy to adjust thanks to Russian-speaking Program Coordinator at the International Center of Worcester and wonderful wife of the Executive Director of ICW, Nadejda (also speaking Russian). They quickly reacted to any of our requests, problems, giving up their private time. Host families, I think, went through a selection procedure as we did. They were well prepared for our arrival. They appeared to know a lot about our region, city, traditions, about our eating habits and leisure time. In each organization we visited during our program all the meetings were prepared professionally. After the program, I completely changed my understanding of the mentality of Americans. I admire their calm, culture, hospitality and goodwill! Thank you Worcester, I’ll never forget you!
Olga Dyachenko