FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lemoyne, PA (March 11, 2012) — CURE Founder and CEO, Dr. Scott Harrison, announced that Professor Chris Lavy has been appointed as Chief Medical Director of CURE International.  Professor Lavy is a distinguished British orthopedic surgeon who holds an honorary professorship from Oxford University and, among many other honors, has received the rank of Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his role in setting up orthopedic training in Malawi.

In his role as Chief Medical Director of CURE International, Professor Lavy will oversee the medical directors at CURE’s hospitals located in ten countries throughout the developing world.  In addition, he will coordinate the ongoing medical research projects across the hospitals, as well as advising the hospitals on medical education and career development for the medical staff.

“Professor Lavy has a long association with CURE International and we are pleased that he will be expanding his role with us to serve as Chief Medical Director.  His expertise in providing top-quality medical care in the developing world as well as his significant contribution to research on disabilities affecting children will truly be an asset for CURE,” said Dr. Harrison.

Professor Lavy attended University College London and St. Bartholomew’s Medical School where he studied anthropology and then medicine.  He was appointed as a consultant orthopedic surgeon at University College Hospital and the Middlesex hospitals in 1992 and had a private practice in the West End of London.

Professor Lavy left his orthopedic practice in London in 1996 to work with CBM International to set up orthopedic services in Malawi.  When he arrived, he was the only orthopedic surgeon in the country. It was during his time in Malawi that he began to work closely with CURE International to establish a pediatric orthopedic hospital there.  The 66-bed hospital opened in 2002 and Lavy served as the first Chairman of the Board.   Today, the hospital treats more than 4,000 patients annually and provides more than 2,000 surgeries to disabled children each year.

“CURE International brings a much needed expertise to the developing world.  The children that we treat aren’t necessarily dying, but they aren’t living either.  Their disabilities impact their ability to function normally in society.  By providing the specialty care necessary to treat them, CURE is making it possible for thousands of children each year to live productive lives,” said Professor Lavy.  “It is a privilege for me to serve at CURE as Chief Medical Director.”

Professor Lavy serves on the leadership council of the College of Surgeons of Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa (COSECSA) and on the Council of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.  He also serves as an adviser to many organizations including the World Health Organization (WHO).

About CURE International

CURE International heals the sick and proclaims the Kingdom of God. Operating hospitals and programs in 25 nations, it is the largest provider of reconstructive surgery to disabled children in the developing world. Since opening the doors of its first surgical teaching hospital in Kijabe, Kenya in 1998, CURE’s focus on bringing healing to developing nations has resulted in more than 1.8 million patient visits and over 128,000 surgeries to correct physically disabling conditions. CURE has also trained more than 5200 medical professionals raising the standard of care in the countries where it operates.  Please visit http://cure.org/ for more information.

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