Strengthening Relationships and Building Capacity

Interest in International Night increases every year.  In 2012, 237 abstracts from residents and graduates of Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) in 39 countries were submitted for review.  As the program has grown, the quality of the abstracts has also improved. FETP residents and graduates are to be commended for their hard work. They are supported by FETP mentors, faculty, and staff committed to ensuring that these future public health leaders are given the best training in field and applied epidemiology. FETP faculty and mentors also ensure that residents acquire the necessary skills and experience to detect and respond to diseases effectively and prevent the spread of disease across borders.

The success of FETPs has advanced CDC’s strong relationships with ministries of health and other external partners in over 50 countries. By exchanging ideas and cultivating these relationships, FETPs have laid the foundation, and, in many cases, opened the door, for other CDC programs to establish important health initiatives in these countries and work toward the common goal of improving health outcomes. The success of International Night demonstrates that FETP residents and graduates are not only well mentored, but are continually applying what they have learned.

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