November 3, 2009 — Dr. Thomas C. Quinn, founder and director of Johns Hopkins University's Center for Global Health, will give the keynote address Friday at the University of Virginia Center for Global Health's symposium, "Challenges and Opportunities in Global Health: Universities at the Forefront."

The symposium is being held at U.Va.'s Jordan Hall Conference Center on Friday from noon until 3 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

Quinn will speak about the leadership role of universities in addressing global health and development challenges. "Virtually the entire range of university expertise is now engaged in addressing global challenges that require sustained, integrated, interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches," Quinn said.

Center for Global Health scholars representing the College of Arts & Sciences, the School of Medicine, the School of Engineering and Applied Science and the U.Va. College at Wise also will present their projects.

Quinn is a founding board member of the Consortium of Universities for Global Health, which has won the support of the presidents of Duke, Stanford and Johns Hopkins universities.

U.Va. President John T. Casteen III signed the statement in support of the consortium in October. Signatories commit to work in partnership with North American universities and universities in other countries to help achieve global health for all.

The statement reads in part, "Our students and faculty have enthusiastically embraced our growing investment in global health programs. We commit ourselves to involving our institutions in achieving a healthier, better educated, more equitable and peaceful world."

For additional information about U.Va.'s Center for Global Health, visit cgh.virginia.edu.