The Hatch Scholars program is DGHE’s main source of financial support for its physicians working abroad and in poor communities here at home. The program provides funding for young DGHE doctors who are following in the footsteps of Jim Kim and Paul Farmer by dedicating their careers to the treatment and study of diseases that disproportionately affect the world’s poor.

Physicians divide their time between caring for patients; providing expert advice to health programs worldwide; conducting and publishing medical research; and training and mentoring both younger doctors and caregivers in poor communities. The program was created to recognize and honor Frank Hatch’s long and deep commitment to helping disadvantaged people and is funded solely by generous individuals.

This past year alone, Hatch scholars:

• Launched a new AIDS treatment project in the remote African mountains of Lesotho, where HIV infection rates are among the highest in the world and approach 30%;
• Brought some of Boston’s sickest inner-city AIDS patients back to health;
• Expanded a unique training program for young doctors who want to dedicate their careers to those most in need;
• Expanded AIDS treatment to thousands in rural Rwanda;
• Began work on a major new AIDS treatment project to launch in Malawi in 2007;
• Won a top award for developing novel information technology for use in poor settings;
• Directed a pioneering AIDS treatment project in rural Haiti;
• Began a new AIDS treatment project in Peru’s poorest urban communities;
• Authored new World Health Organization policies for treating drug resistant tuberculosis in millions of patients;
• Continued to provide lifesaving care and conduct important medical research and training at sites in Haiti, Peru, Russia, Rwanda, Lesotho and Boston.