After 14 months and over 6 tons of donated medical materials, UCSD MAA Books without Borders (BWB) is honored to support Operation Medical Libraries in its efforts to create permanent medical libraries in war-torn countries which will significantly enhance the formal and continuing medical education of students and physicians. Operation Medical Libraries shares BWB’s vision that diseases and injuries are not bound by borders and neither should excellent medical education or quality health care. Through Operation Medical Libraries’ partnership with American medical schools, hospitals and physicians and the United States military, the tremendous need for medical materials in Afghanistan and Iraq will continue to be met. The end result of this collaboration will be better trained physicians, which will lead to better healthcare and improve mortality rates. For more information on Operation Medical Libraries, visit http://operationmedicallibraries.blogspot.com or email info@OperationMedicalLibraries.org.
Donate Medical Textbooks and Journals
"I am very grateful to UCSD for supporting the Books without Borders project. Afghanistan is one of the world's most impoverished countries. The education of Afghan students is always hampered by a scarcity of resources. As such, the medical textbooks sent by Books Without Borders will be an invaluable asset to Afghan students and will enrich their medical education. I thank UCSD and all other schools and organizations that contributed to this book drive."
June 19, 2008 – The San Diego Union-Tribune
University project gets medical books to Afghan doctors (view as pdf for photographs)
By Rex Wockner
 |
THE GOAL: To collect medical texts, including journals and reference materials, which will be sent to the Afghan National Military Hospital at the Medical University in Kabul. Books covering the basics of anatomy, physiology, nursing, physical therapy and pharmacology are in demand, as well as publications on pediatrics, primary care, and OB/GYN. Multiple copies will be beneficial for medical schools and reference libraries. For more information, contact Brooke Bain, Director of UCSD Medical Alumni Relations, at (858) 822-1210 or babain@ucsd.edu.
WHAT: Medical texts dated 2000 and forward, and journals and reference materials published after 2005. Feel free to personalize your book donations, and insert your business card or write a short note to the student or faculty member who will eventually use the book.
SHIPPING & DROP OFF INFORMATION: Local alumni and friends can drop off their donations at the UCSD Bookstore Medical Counter located on the first floor – look for the sign. Additionally, books may be dropped off at Rady Children’s Hospital; Cambridge Medical Office Building 7910 Frost Street, Suite 300.
Out of area supporters can send donations directly to the APO address below:
Medical Book Donations-KMU
c/o Brad Volk
CSTC-A / Command Surgeon
APO AE 09356 / USA
The U.S. Postal Service offers a military discount for large flat-rate box (11" x 8" x 5") mailings to APO addresses. Regardless of how much the box weighs, it costs $10.95 to mail. The boxes are free online at http://www.usps.com/supplies or by calling (800) 610-8734. Other shipping alternatives are USPS media mail (books only) and parcel post.
Alumni Support Medicine in the Middle East by Donating Used Medical Textbooks and Journals
Project Description
Iraq’s medical system became very isolated during the last decade of Saddam's regime. Iraqi doctors are working very hard to restore it, especially the medical education system at all levels and in all fields, including ancillary services. They are consistently grateful for donations of any medical textbooks or journals.
Any materials published since 1994 are considered current in both Iraq and Afghanistan. While doctors would love to take greater advantage of all that is available on the Internet, the lack of electricity, slow access, and limited availability make it difficult for most students and doctors to access online resources.
English is the language of medicine in these countries. Doctors are able to read English, and the courses are taught in English.
In order to support the educational goals of these medical systems, the UCLA Medical Alumni Association (MAA) launched Books without Borders , which provides textbooks needed to teach courses for nurses, laboratory technicians, EMTs, and others in ancillary fields. In addition, this project will allow practicing Iraqi physicians to update their knowledge and American physicians to review procedures.
"Diseases and injuries are not bound by borders and neither should excellent medical education or quality health care."
First Phase Project Results
On September 6, 2007, the 2,000 medical textbooks and journals collected through Books without Borders were handed over to the United States Army. Patrice Healey, M.D., '84 and LTC Christopher Talcott, FA shared with the media and guests the scope and significance Books without Borders will have on the medical education and health care in Iraq.
The 5,000 pounds of medical materials were shipped courtesy of the United States Army and reached its final destination on December 19, 2007. CPT Marcus Pecora, UCLA School of Nursing '02, is stationed in Tikrit, Iraq. He is spearheading the delivery of the donated materials. The "book missions" function like any military operation: Materials are loaded into trailers that are hitched to tactical Humvees, and the convoy is protected by an armed security detail. Locations, like the nursing high school located in Tikrit's city center, carry a high level of danger.
Project Expansion Includes Naval Bases and Afghan Community Outreach
According to the Kabul Medical Institute Presentation, there is a great need for medical materials in Afghanistan. Books without Borders has expanded and now includes United States Naval bases in Afghanistan, as well as supporting the Camp Eggers Volunteer Community Relations (VCR) program.
"My team of clinicians and I are attempting to improve Kabul Medical University. After assessing their current situation and meeting with the Chancellor, we have determined a sincere need for medical textbooks and periodicals, which will help the mission of producing future doctors of Afghanistan."
 |
| Books without Borders team from left to right: Ben Kaufman, Quinn Proffer, Bill Proffer, UCSD BA,‘76, MS, ’78; Eyla Boies, M.D., Brooke Bain; Candie Goldbronn and Valerie Walker, UCLA; Khaled Hosseini, M.D., UCSD SOM ’93. |
