EDITOR’S NOTE: News media are invited to the ceremony, but this event is not open to the public.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – When Sebastian Leder, a medical student from the University of Vienna in Austria, came to the Wake Forest University School of Medicine to complete his clinical education, he found not the usual student apartment but an inviting house waiting for him.
“’Welcome home!’ was what I thought, seeing the Global Health House for the first time,” said Leder. “This fabulous house has become my home far away from home, and it’s a perfect location right across the street from the hospital. Furthermore, the Global Health House gives me the opportunity to become friends with medical students from all over the world.”
In celebration of Leder’s “home far away from home,” a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at the medical school’s new Global Health House on Monday, Nov. 16, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 325 Lockland Avenue. William B. Applegate, M.D., president of Wake Forest University Health Sciences and dean of the medical school, and Steven M. Block, M.B., B.Ch., senior associate dean, will make remarks.
The house has been owned by the medical school since 1991 and was previously used as a rental property. It has recently been refurbished to provide a residence for medical students who are completing their clinical education experience through international affiliation agreements with the medical school. The first occupants of the house besides Leder are Nobuyuki Ikeda from Tokai University in Japan and Marlies Antlanger, also from the University of Vienna. The students arrived at the end of September.
“We hope that the house will provide a comfortable and welcoming residence for medical students from other countries, and that they will regard it not simply as a place to rest, but as their home in Winston-Salem,” said William B. Applegate, M.D., president of Wake Forest University Health Sciences and dean of the medical school.
The Global Health House was established last summer through the efforts of several dedicated volunteers and staff, including Lynn Snyder, coordinator of the medical school’s Office of Global Health and of the Global Health House project; Janie Slaughter, president of the Medical Center Guild; Rebecca Schwartz, member of the Medical Center Guild; Tim Bell, director of physical resources, WFUHS financial administration; Lonnie West, assistant chief engineer in Environmental Services at the medical school, and Rita Crews, of Miller Hatcher Commercial Real Estate.
Furnishings for the house were provided through donations from a variety of sources. Mary Murray, of Industries for the Blind, donated new mattresses and box springs made by employees of that organization. Whole House Doctor volunteered by refurbishing some of the donated furniture. Bill Yost, of Wake Forest University Residence Life and Housing, coordinated the donation of furniture from the university. In addition, there were many items donated from members of the Medical Center Guild.
Media Relations
Robin Brantley: news@wakehealth.edu, 336-713-4587
Mark Wright: news@wakehealth.edu, 336-713-4587