July 27: Buddhist High Monk of Myanmar to visit OHSU to kick off global health collaboration

MEDIA ALERT

WHAT:          

Kick-off of OHSU’s global health collaboration in Myanmar, featuring Buddhist High Monk Sayadaw of Myanmar

WHEN:          

Thursday, July 27 from 10 to 11:00 a.m.

WHERE:             

OHSU Casey Eye Institute, Marquam Hill Campus,
3375 S.W. Terwilliger Blvd., Portland, OR 97239

Note: Paid hourly parking available in Garage F; Media should RSVP to news@ohsu.edu if planning to cover event.

DETAILS:      

OHSU is announcing the details of a global health partnership with key leaders in the country of Myanmar on Thursday, July 27, at OHSU Casey Eye Institute. The event will feature remarks from:

• Joseph E. Robertson, M.D., M.B.A., President, OHSU
• David Wilson, M.D., Director, Casey Eye Institute; Professor and Chair, Department of Ophthalmology, OHSU School of Medicine
• Mitchell Brinks, M.D., M.P.H., Director of International Ophthalmology Program, Casey Eye Institute; Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, OHSU School of Medicine
• Bhaddanta Vamsa Parlar Linkara, Buddhist High Monk Sayadaw of Myanmar (with interpretation from Dr. Patheda Tin)
• Other special guests from the Myanmar and Portland Buddhist communities, including several monks

Remarks will be followed by a symbolic signing of a memorandum of understanding, or MOU.  A Sayadaw, or “High Monk,” is a prestigious designation for monks who have passed the highest possible exam for monks. In the 21^st century, there are currently only nine monks with that designation.

The Sayadaw’s visit dovetails with Casey Eye Institute’s International & Community Ophthalmology 2017 conference, which is taking place July 28-29.

The goal of the partnership is to build a sustainable model in Myanmar that will raise the standard of care for its people. Faculty from all five OHSU schools have visited parts of Myanmar and are in the process of laying the groundwork for training and teaching its people.  

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