Press Release: International non-profit organization Medical Knowledge Institute opens U.S. branch

Medical Knowledge Institute – 'Prevention through Education': 
International non-profit organization opens U.S. branch

Providing information from the conviction that healthcare is a human right

SPRINGFIELD, Mass, April 8, 2010  - -  The Medical Knowledge Institute (MKI), an international non-profit organization based in the Netherlands, is proud to announce the opening of its U.S. branch, to be headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts. Dedicated to promoting healthcare education and information as a human right, Dr. Harold Robles co-founded MKI in 1999, along with Dr. Peter Bittel, C.E.O. of the Futures HealthCore of Springfield, and a Trustee of the American International College (AIC). 

It is most appropriate to have this internationally recognized organization based in Springfield because its mission – ‘Prevention though Education’ - applies to the community in the Greater Springfield area and has led to the development of a partnership with the American International College (AIC), an institution with both a domestic and international mission to provide education to minority populations. 

To celebrate their connected missions, MKI has partnered with AIC to launch the Desmond Tutu Lecture Series on Public Health Awareness.  Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, a member of MKI's international Board of Advisors, will be the first speaker in this remarkable series.  The Archbishop will deliver his inaugural address following the awarding of honorary degrees at Springfield’s Symphony Hall on April 20, 2010, at 4:00 pm.  On the following day, the Archbishop will also be attending the first meeting of the MKI supervisory board to take place in the United States.

To fulfill its mission to encourage ‘Prevention through Education’, MKI has developed health related trainings and workshops specifically aimed at developing countries and addressing topics such as HIV/AIDS prevention, Avoiding TB, Oral Health, and Early Childhood development to name a few. 
Currently focused in Southern Africa, healthcare experts from around the world lend their talents to developing curricula and programs, teaching, and providing follow up supports.

Dr. Robles has expressed his excitement about the opportunity for MKI to expand its presence in the United States, and noted that “after 10 years of operation in the Netherlands we are now getting more professional and working on long range plans for activities in Africa.  MKI is very happy with the MKI USA expansion. This will give us more strength”, Robles said.
“There is a tremendous amount of resources in America that will assist our work in  prevention of curable disease through education such as  trainings by skilled professionals, cultural exchanges and internships in both South Africa and in the Unites States”, said Bittel.

Medical Knowledge Institute – ‘Prevention through Education’,
136 William Street, Springfield MA 01105. www.infomki.org

About the Medical Knowledge Institute, ‘Prevention through Education’

The Medical Knowledge Institute (MKI) is an international non-profit healthcare organization that focuses on education and providing information from the conviction that healthcare is a human right.

Under the motto ‘Prevention through Education' the MKI focuses with full conviction on its objective to improve the living conditions of the population in southern Africa by giving medically related trainings and workshops to local aid workers. In their turn these local heroes pass on that knowledge to other local aid workers and trainers. The Healthcare Educational programs have been developed to improve the quality and the humanitarian values of healthcare through education and public healthcare programs. Medical experts from all around the world are engaged for this. The funds to be able to perform this important work are mainly received through donations. The sale of an exclusive series of jewellery by means of the YOELL^® project initiated by MKI also contributes to MKI's success.

The Medical Knowledge Institute is based in the Netherlands (Oostvoorne) and the United States of America (Springfield - MA) and was founded in 1999 by Dr. Harold E. Robles, founder and President Emeritus of the Albert Schweitzer Institute for the Humanities, and Dr. Peter J. Bittel, Chairman and CEO of The Futures Health Group. More information about the activities, projects, workshops and events of the MKI: www.infomki.org  

Editors’ note:
For editorial information, visual material or interview possibilities:
Dr. Suzanne Marotta, O: 800.218.9280, F: 866.656.6111, smarotta@infomki.org  or
Jakob Brons / Press Officer MKI, tel: +31 654 34 3284, jbrons@infomki.org