Associate Dean of the College of Nursing, Anita Nicholson, poses for a portrait in her office Jan. 16, 2017. Starting on April 21st of this year, eight University of Iowa students will spend two weeks in Swaziland while studying community and public health practicum (James Year/The Daily Iowan)
By Andy Mitchell, The Daily Iowan
With the help of a recent donation of $191,500 from Susan and Andy Code, both University of Iowa graduates, the College of Nursing will launch health initiatives in Haiti and Swaziland.
The initiatives for Haiti and Swaziland differ slightly in nature. For Haiti, the donation will fund the establishment of a health-care clinic to provide primary care and health promotion, training, and education to local families.
The Kingdom of Swaziland, located in southern Africa, is a developing country dealing with such health issues as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.
According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Swaziland has the highest prevalence rate of HIV in the world.
Leading the initiative in Swaziland will be Assistant Clinical Professor Susan Lehmann and Anita Nicholson, a nursing clinical professor and associate dean for undergraduate programs. Lehmann said the idea to get involved with Swaziland came from Nicholson’s experience working with faith groups in the country.