W. Andrew Harris

---

When retired ophthalmologist W. Andrew Harris wanted to use his skills to help people in developing nations, he needed a refresher on primary care. And he needed to learn how to treat people in poor, potentially dangerous regions.

Finding no sufficient options for training, he created his own: Professionals Training in Global Health, a course at Oregon Health & Science University's Global Health Center.

This week Davis, a 2011 Purpose Prize fellow, and his program were highlighted in The Lund Report, a consumer website about the health care industry.

The article tells of Davis’ self-made transition to an encore career, often a do-it-yourself proposition many boomers face when looking for work that contributes to society.

Having found his encore career, Harris is helping others prepare for encores of their own. His 10-week program trains physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants to treat various conditions they may encounter on medical missions, including leprosy, yellow fever and malaria.

Professionals Training in Global Health is akin to the courses supported by Civic Ventures’ Encore College Initiative, which has funded 40 community college programs helping boomers transition to encore careers in education, health care and social services.

In addition, the training provides opportunities to learn by doing. Course participants volunteer one evening per week in free medical clinics for the uninsured.

Harris reports in the article that the average age of students has been around 55 since the program began in 2008, but they have ranged from 37 to 75. He says graduates of the course have gone on 49 medical missions in 24 countries, and some have also continued volunteering at health clinics locally.

“I think what this course does, and does so well, is provide medical professionals at the end of their careers an opportunity to relearn forgotten skills and acquire updated knowledge,” Harris says. “This focused training readies them to care for those underserved, both at home and abroad.”

Click below to find more information about:

• Purpose Prize fellow W. Andrew Harris
• The Purpose Prize
• Professionals Training in Global Health
• The Encore College Initiative

Nominations are open for the 2012 Purpose Prize. Know anyone 60 or older who is making extraordinary contributions to society? Nominate here.