February 3, 2010, Chapel Hill, NC—IntraHealth International is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year with a commemorative campaign designed to spotlight the critical role health workers play in the well-being of communities around the world. Globally, there is a shortfall of four million health workers needed to increase access to vital services.

In its three decades IntraHealth has worked in over 85 countries to help local institutions to better plan for, train, and support health workers. Originally the Intrah program of the University of North Carolina’s School of Medicine, the organization became an independent nonprofit in 2003. Today it has 47 programs, and employs 650 people working in more than 30 countries.

To focus on the critical importance of well-trained health workers, the organization released a new brand mark, tagline and website today.

“IntraHealth has spent the last 30 years supporting health workers who are central to improving quality of life, and protecting the health of the most vulnerable.  Our new brand demonstrates IntraHealth’s people focus, our commitment to partnership, and recognition of how interconnected the world is,” said IntraHealth CEO Pape Gaye.

To kick off the 30^th Anniversary Campaign IntraHealth recently launched the inaugural 'Health Worker Leadership Award' honoring Pauline Muhuhu, a Kenyan midwife and senior leader at IntraHealth. Named in her honor, the award will recognize health workers who dedicate their careers to underserved regions of the world. Over the next year, IntraHealth will create a formal review panel to receive nominations and select future recipients.

"At IntraHealth, we passionately believe an appropriately trained, highly motivated, fairly paid health worker is at the center of any health program or functioning health system," said Rebecca Kohler, vice president of strategic development and communications.  “This belief is what motivates us in our daily work and inspired our tagline ‘because health workers save lives’ as it reflects our philosophy at the most fundamental level.”

A spring celebration on April 22^nd in Chapel Hill, NC, will mark the culmination of IntraHealth’s 30 years of work, with special appearances and presentations by selected global health champions.

IntraHealth International is a global health nonprofit that champions the critical role of health workers in health and development. For over 30 years, IntraHealth has empowered health workers to better serve communities in need, fostering local solutions to health care challenges by improving health worker performance, strengthening health systems, harnessing technology, and leveraging partnerships. The nonprofit’s work is supported and funded by the US Agency for International Development, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, private foundations, corporations and individuals.

Contact: Laura Hoemeke
IntraHealth International
+1 919-360-7799